Earlier this year, the chain started to test its latest checkout method at a supercenter in Fayetteville, Ark. The layout isn’t complex. Instead of dedicated checkout lanes, there’s an open, relatively expansive self-checkout area designed to meet consumer demand as it happens.
The effort, still only a few months old, comes amid a spike in contactless transactions for food retailers, a trend that existed before the pandemic and has gained fresh steam during the outbreak. According to London-based research firm RBR, in fact, the self-checkout momentum will continue, with global installations expected to triple by 2025 to surpass 1.1 million.
Key Takeaways
- A fresh wave of innovation in self-checkout and other payment systems appears ready to hit the food retail world.
- Wegmans, Costco and large other food retailers are helping to lead the self-checkout charge, along with convenience store chains.
- Retailers should think of self-checkout as a part of the larger customer journey, and take steps to make shoppers feel confident with new technology.
A fresh wave of innovation in self-checkout — and payments in general — appears ready to hit the food retail world, where younger, tech-savvy consumers are making their desires known, and where new technology is becoming more affordable and convenient for smaller and midsize retailers.
This story is from the August 2020 edition of Progressive Grocer.
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This story is from the August 2020 edition of Progressive Grocer.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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