The future of self-checkout

In the ever-evolving landscape of retail, finding new ways to transform the in-store customer experience while optimizing operational efficiency is critical. One strategy that retailers have adopted is offering self-service options that modern shoppers crave. While this may not cater to every type of customer, the growth of self-checkout technology is remarkable. In fact, a study by RBR predicts a 90% yearly global increase in self-checkout terminals.

Yet, amidst this growth, challenges persist. Retailers deal with significant investment costs to implement these solutions, worry about its adaptability to their future business needs, and continue to struggle with shrink prevention. Meanwhile, customers just want a hassle-free shopping trip with fewer tech issues. Moving forward, what lies in store for self-checkout in retail? In this article, we'll explore the three key factors shaping the future of self-checkout and what they mean for both retailers and customers ??

1.?????? Empowering Technology

Retailers must embrace cutting-edge technology that address their business needs, while also enhancing the shopping experience. AI-powered checkout features, such as NCR Voyix's Picklist Assist , uses computer vision to identify produce items, speeding up transactions and reducing errors. Additionally, you can customize the status lights of your self-checkout machines (SCOs) to convey different messages related to customer navigation, staff prioritization, and advertising revenue. Improved customer service, increased attendant productivity and reduced front-end shrinkage are some advantages of adopting these technologies.

2.?????? Timeless Product Design

As time goes on, we are witnessing the creation of various self-checkout experiences rather than just one. Therefore, retailers need products that can adapt to those different experiences, as well as blend seamlessly into the store environment. Customers also need to recognize and feel comfortable using the hardware, because if devices look too different, they are less likely to use them. NCR Voyix 's new hardware fabric overcomes this by providing quick reconfiguration in terms of shopper assistance, payment method and overall layout. The hybrid hardware can transition from cash-only to cashless in under 30 minutes, and from self-checkout to assisted checkout in just 5 seconds. This mitigates the risk of investing in 100% self-checkout, as it allows for gradual adjustments and innovation tailored to customer needs.

3.?????? Sustainable Innovation

As sustainability becomes a major concern for customers, companies need to reflect this goal in their business practices. Adopting a "reduce, reuse, recycle" mentality is essential for making sustainable choices that maximize investments. This principle can be applied to self-checkout by adopting solutions that reduce energy consumption and can be reused for multiple purposes. Thus, NCR Voyix 's new hardware fabric uses 10% less energy, has components flexible enough to be used in various checkout configurations, and is 90% recyclable.

?

NCR Voyix 's advanced hardware paired with Tlantic 's innovative software, creates the perfect synergy for optimizing sales management and transforming the self-checkout experience. One of the success cases of this partnership is Continente, one of the leading retail chains in Portugal, that has effectively integrated more than 650 SCOs across its stores.

Talk to one of our experts and discover how we can help future-proof your business, ensuring a seamless, sustainable, and efficient shopping experience for your customers!

by Pedro Abelardo Dominguez Ollero , Territory and Channel Account Leader Iberia at NCR Voyix