Buying grocery now got more interesting and quicker with the advent of technology. Self-checkout is certainly one of them and this article illustrates this process, customer experience and compares with other alternatives. It also covers usual queries while getting to know such technological innovation in lucid & crisp way.
Grocery self-checkout (SCO) is shortened form of ‘buying grocery with self-service checkout’ and synonymous to assisted checkouts. As the name suggests, customers can buy grocery from shopping mall in traditional way and then the billing & payment are done through a machine without any other personnel operating them.
The customer needs to follow couple of simple steps in such kiosks:
Carry all required grocery items in basket till kioskPlace items one by one over the scanner as per given direction so that bar code is scanned which is also a weighing scaleTouch screen monitor in front shows item name, code, weight, price etc. Once scanned, place in right side carry bag /basket standCertain items like vegetable, fruits might require additional selection on touch screen since product quality can be non-standardized for machine to understand automaticallyItems prices get added up and final amount is reflectedCustomer chooses to pay by card/UPI/cash from respective slots (different for card insert, ATM card PIN punch, cash deposit , coin return , receipt print etc. )Leaves the kiosk with packed items’ bag
Adoption & Application Grocery Self-Checkout:
Countries like Italy, Russia, Spain, Japan , Germany , Singapore, USA, China are initial adopters of this SCO technology. Based on current usage , it is estimated that by 2025, 1. 2 million self-checkout units will be installed worldwide. Companies like IBM, Fujitsu, NCR etc. have invested in building SCO modules with their own software in-built.
Advantages: Customer and Retailer Perspectives
Based on a survey carried out by IDC(International Data Corporation) in 2014, the primary motivators (advantages in decreasing order) for consumers to use SCO are:
Less queue than conventional staffed billing kiosksFaster checkout Customer intending to maintain privacy of bought itemsControl over payment method , item scanning pace and how the packing is being doneNo interaction with staff required, especially useful during pandemicLearning is easy ( generally a centralized staff roams around to demo to new customers)
The primary motive of supermarket owners to implement self-checkout is optimize cost in long run. By minimizing or even zeroing out staffs for check out process, the owners tend to invest heavily on technology only to realize the comparative advance in long run as initial investment on such technology is quite high.
Disadvantages To Grocery Self-Checkout:
The adoption of SCO is not very fast and that can be attributed to below disadvantages of SCO:
Error rate while scanning is higher especially in non-linear use cases inducing delay in the processIt also leads to manual intervention of central staff at times diluting the primary flavour of SCOAt times, Barcode also is not read accurately by scannerNot that flexible and if linearly operated correctly at every step, then works fineCertain products like alcohol require staff approval either in the form of swiping their card or from backend approval is required- delaying the otherwise seamless experience. Even using coupons or food cards like Sodexo can complicate the payment part of SCOCancellation of already scanned items is not that easy and again require manual staff interventionThe final receipt does not reflect any coupons earned and at times, payment method is only via card/UPI due to cash dispensing part not working as expected. The underlying process flow is series/sequential in nature and no way parallel processing can be achieved to enhance process efficiencyInconvenient if one intends to use personal shopping bagBeing inexperienced and untrained in scanning items, sometimes Customers feel inconvenience for checking out Promotion Items, such as ‘Buy one Get one’ offers, where mistakenly scanning is done only once. Also a different variety of a product, with same price is sometimes erroneously picked up as offer item
Grocery Self-Checkout at Next Level
Listed are some advanced level approaches on top of the usual Self-Checkout process:Approach and Key ConceptsEfficiency and Customer ExperienceScan and Go:Portable barcode scannerScanning while shoppingDownloadable information from Scanner to Checkout KioskPayment and Receipt at Checkout KioskPhone App as substitute to scannerMakes shopping experience simpler, faster and convenientRunning tally of items helps Customers to keep track of spendingFor stores, it costs less as compared to installing a separate Self-Checkout laneHybrid Checkout Systems:Offers both the options: Cashier Operated Model and Self-Service ModeAvailability of Cashier operated mode helps inexperienced Customers perform traditional way of item checkoutAvailability of Self-Service mode encourages faster transactions for Customers experienced in self-service operationsCustomer preferences are taken care of to make everyone equally comfortableRFID Based Scanning Gates:Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) scanner gates RFID tag attached to an item, is integrated to motion sensorCheckout by passing through the gatesCustomer pushes the cart into the gateList of items displayed at Kiosk ScreenPayment by Card, Cash or Scanning PalmEnsures goods are not stolen – efficient anti-theft system using motion detection techniquesFacilitates checkout without stoppingEfficient for multi storeyed buildingSmart Carts:Grocery Carts use Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technologiesIntegrated Cameras, Sensors, Scales, Barcode ScannerIntegrated GPS capabilities enable communication with main hub Sometimes coupled with Mobile AppsSmart Carts can drive profit, by use of artificial intelligenceNavigates customers to specific products, ensuring hassle free search of itemsSuggests items based on past purchases and current selectionsProtects shops against thefts
What’s the implementation status of SCO in developing countries like India, China?
During Pandemic in 2020, Chennai’s Sunnybee retail chain adopted SCO ; the hardware and software were developed by WayCool Labs. Initial customer response was positive as per company insider press release. China retail stores , in this aspect, has been veteran in implementation. Evidently, a lot of developing market is open for such technology to penetrate.
What is the cost estimate of self-checkout systems?
As per a study of MIT, a typical 4 lane self-service checkout kiosk set up cost is $125,000 VS equivalent traditional staffed cash register or POS system costs around $3000 . Hence, benefit can only be realized in long run.
What is the technology behind?
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is the core technology behind self-check out system.
Conclusion
According to a report produced by McKinsey, 79% of US Customers are willing to continue the Retail Self-Service Checkout usage, beyond the pandemic. While Speed, Usability and Reliability are critical factors towards successful installations of self-checkout, they are not sufficient to get the full potential of this solution in near future.
Best practices of Grocery checkout systems should focus on:
To ease customer experience through usage of technology enabling parallel processing and migrate from staffed system to SCO inclusive of regular customersScalability is a concern in such system since investment cost per machine is quite high and lack of parallel processing mandates installation of multiple such kiosks in single super MartThe response time improvement is another factor is RFID based vending machines, stationed at different airports, have achieved. Hence the supply chain can be optimized in the sense that check-out happens each time item is selected to avoid duplication of efforts. Last but not the least, any solution must be customizable enough, depending upon circumstances like Product Values and Product Volume, Customer Density, Store Structure, Complexity of the Process, Hardware and Software Cost, Flexibility and most importantly Customer Satisfaction.
title: “Grocery Self Checkout” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-27” author: “Patricia Sellers”
GROCERY SELF CHECKOUT
Self-checkouts are available in many stores because it consumes and saves time. There are machines at a store that provides to customers to complete their transactions from a retailer without needing a traditional staffed checkout. In the grocery self-checkout method, the customers scan their items before paying for their total shop without needing one-to-one staff assistance.
HOW TO DO GROCERY SELF-CHECKOUT?
STEP 1:- If you are at any grocery store like Walmart then, you have to do your shopping first.
STEP 2:- When you have done your shopping then, you have to go to the self-checkout machine section.
STEP 3:- Pick up one item and, you have to look for where the barcode of the item.
STEP 4:- Click on the start scanning option and then, Place your barcode number on the machine.
STEP 5:- After that, you can see your item price on the display.
STEP 6:- After that, you can place your item on the bag or plastic poly bags which are right there on the desk. There are many bags you can easily place your item on that bag.
STEP 7:- After that, place your next item barcode on the scanning machine.
STEP 8:- Then, you can see your item price on the screen, it will automatically add one by one.
STEP 9:- If you shop for a bag of vegetables and fruits and there is no barcode then, you just have to place your item on the scanning machine and touch on the look-up item option on the display of the screen.
STEP 10:- Then, you have to type the name of the item or just select your item in which they show on the display.
STEP 11:- Then, you have to select your item and, it will tell your item price.
STEP 12:- You can add your item to your grocery bag.
STEP 13:- You can also take the scanner tool to scan the barcode of the item so, don’t have to place your item on the scanning machine.
STEP 14:- After that, when you finished scanning your all item then, you can see the total amount on the display of the screen is which you have to pay for your item.
STEP 15:- After that, you have to pay for your order with a debit card or credit card whatever you have. Then, swipe your card on the paying machine. You can select your payment type.
STEP 16:- You have to enter your card pin so that they will deduct the money from your bank account.
STEP 17:- After that, when you are done with your payment, the machine shows you the approved payment then, You can remove your card.
STEP 18:- The machine will generate a receipt for your order items.
STEP 19:- You have to take your receipt with you. It is a necessary part.
STEP 20:- After that, When your self-checkout system is done, now you can freely go to your home.
CONCLUSION
The Self Checkout system is easy to use, and make sure you have done your all scanning. You can also give cash, or you can use an online payment method with your debit card, etc. to pay for your items. The self-checkout system is very great to use. Now, people can usually do the self-checkout for their items to save time. Nowadays, people prefer to do online shopping. After all, it will save their time, and now they can also do the self-checkout for their groceries because it will also save their time. You have to take the receipt of your item also with you so you can identify or check your items later.
1:- Does Walmart have a grocery self-checkout system?
Yes, you can self-checkout your items at Walmart.
2:- Does the Self-checkout system saves our time or not?
Yes, If you will see the long line on the billing section then, you can self-checkout your items. It will save you time.
3:- Is it easy to use or not?
Yes, it is easy to scan your item and self-checkout your items.
4:- How a receipt is necessary after we pay for our items?
Taking a receipt is necessary because if by chance you miss out on any product or any product is in bad condition then, you can go to the store with your receipt then, they can analyze your item.
