For years now, we at RetailWire have been reading, writing and talking about stores testing consumer-operated hand-held scanners. One of our esteemed publication partners wrote an article back in 2008 suggesting that 2009 would be "the tipping point" for adoption of the technology. Vendors of the technology have developed systems that allow consumers to use supplied devices or their smartphones. Various tests have showed that the technology is tied to larger basket sizes, more trips to the store and lower labor costs. Consumers love it and it works for retailers. So here's my question, what's the hold up?
A piece this week on The Cincinnati Enquirer website about Kroger's "Scan, Bag, Go" technology reminded me that the chain has been "tinkering" with hand-held scanners for a number of years.
"It helps get customers through the store faster and allows them to bag groceries the way they want," Andy Lowell, the research and development manager for Kroger's Cincinnati-Dayton division, told the Enquirer. "But we're still getting feedback to make it better."
Kroger has actively sought ways to reduce the wait time at registers in its stores. The company has also touted its QueVision system, which positions sensors above registers and a store's entrances/exits, to more efficiently staff checkout lanes. Last year, Kroger said it had reduced the average checkout time in its stores from around four minutes to 30 seconds.
- Shop & Stop and Giant Put Scanners in Shoppers' Hands - RetailWire
- Personal Shopping Devices Preparing for Tipping Point in Adoption in 2009 - Retail TouchPoints
- Kroger pilot program could transform shopping experience - The Cincinnati Enquirer
- Ahold Chains Put Scanners in Shoppers' Hands - RetailWire
- Kroger Loses Some Wait - RetailWire