Whether it's sportswear, DIY supplies, or furniture at the well-known Swedish furniture store – many shops today offer their customers alternatives to the traditional cash register. In Germany, the spread of self-checkout registers and mobile self-scanning systems is increasing. Even the grocery retail sector is expanding in this area – showing that the already known solutions are just the beginning.
Stationary and mobile – digital solutions are increasing
An additional customer service, shorter waiting times, and the elimination of cumbersome processes such as repacking goods at the checkout: These are probably the main reasons for companies to integrate self-checkout solutions in their branches. If they also offer intuitive usability for the customers, as is the case with ours, the transition is easy.
The shows strong growth in this area over the past two years. If stores focused on the new approaches, the number would rise to more than 5,000 branches in 2023. Pilot and test markets have no place in the analysis – which is why further spread is realistic. A closer look at this development reveals two offerings: the stationary self-checkout registers, which about 4,270 stores offer to their customers, and the mobile self-scanning systems, used by 2,150 retail stores. About 1,400 stores leave the choice in customers' hands and offer both alternatives.
Compared to the stationary self-checkout solution, which is similar to the cash register in many parts because the goods are scanned and paid for at the end of the shopping trip – only by the customer themselves –, the mobile self-scanning variant relies on mobile recording of goods during the shopping. For this purpose, customers use either handheld scanners, shopping carts with scanners, or an app on their own smartphone. The two self-checkout alternatives are most commonly found in the grocery retail sector with around 60 percent. This is followed by drugstores (15 percent), DIY and hardware stores (15 percent), furniture stores (2 percent), and other shops (7 percent).
Shopping 2.0 in grocery retail
But the stationary self-checkout and mobile self-scanning technologies that have been used and proven so far are just the beginning. Well-known discounters and supermarkets have been outdoing each other for several years with new test branches that aim to evaluate and exploit further potentials of the technologies in the future to steadily move a step further. The goal: Shopping should become as convenient and intuitive as possible.
Aldi, for example, has embraced the trend topic of artificial intelligence over the past year. The discount giant has figured out how cash registers can use the technology profitably to create real added value for the customer. If it’s now a matter of checking out fruits or vegetables without a barcode, the buyer does not have to click through an extensive list. The self-checkout registers are equipped with AI and cameras and recognize vegetables and fruits in seconds.
Rewe is taking a future-oriented approach and testing a shopping model without scanning, cash registers, and the like. In the distributed pilot markets in Cologne, Berlin, and Munich, they are trying out the "Pick&Go" model. Customers save themselves the active scanning and checkout process, thus saving time. For this, they download the REWE Pick&Go app on their smartphone, create an account, and store their payment method. When it's time to shop, they scan the QR code on their phone at the entrance. Products can then be taken from the shelves or put back as usual if not needed. The difference: A camera remembers the collected goods and bills via the app after leaving the store.
For customers, a whole new shopping experience that avoids the biggest annoyance – standing in line at the checkout. One aspect all retailers emphasize equally: They do not save on staff despite the new technologies.
Solutions for medium-sized businesses: Optimize the customer experience at the POS
For many smaller shops, bakeries, direct producers, or farm shops, this kind of future technology may certainly seem a long way off. However, they don't have to completely forgo technical support and a better customer experience. Modern cash register systems also bring advantages. For example, checkout processes can be optimized with our system to speed up the operation process. Returns management for indecisive customers and product assignments are also faster. Additionally, products can be pre-ordered, for example. The result here too: Less waiting time on the customer side.
You don’t want to miss out on Shopping 2.0? Then let us find a suitable solution together!