How Self-Service Checkout Can Create a Better Experience
Whether you’re a big-box store or a smaller and niche shop, it helps to know how self-service checkout can create a better experience. On the front end of transactions, this type of technology can take various forms, from QR codes to retail kiosks. Self-checkout software and point-of-sale systems are proving to be valuable additions, allowing businesses to reap benefits in other areas.
But what else is there to know? So much more! In this article, we’ll discuss several ways self-service can benefit businesses and create a positive experience for all.
More Efficient Flow of Foot Traffic
There’s no doubt that self-service checkout stations are efficient! Given their sleek and compact appearance, you can install three or four stations to fill an area where one traditional checkout terminal would be.
These machines can streamline transactions for shoppers looking to buy one or two products and require a faster checkout experience, ultimately eliminating traffic congestion in these areas. With traditional service stations, bottlenecks may take place as shoppers have large hauls of groceries that require assistance.
Self-checkout areas can be at multiple entrances and exits of a store, allowing customers to complete transactions quicker.
Less Interaction Is Sometimes More Desirable
Sometimes, people prefer to shop and complete transactions without the assistance of an employee. Whether a customer prefers to keep to themselves or avoid crowds due to illnesses, self-checkouts provide a solution for them to continue shopping at their convenience!
By implementing self-checkout services throughout your store, you can mitigate the spread of viral illnesses and infections, ultimately promoting a healthier shopping environment.
However, you should clean and sanitize self-checkout kiosks before each usage. It helps to assign a team member to the area so that they can oversee transactions, provide assistance when necessary, and clean terminals and scanners.
Additional Revenue Opportunities
While you know that self-checkout services can provide space for foot traffic, implementing these services throughout a store can expand revenue, allowing you to incorporate more shelving and products! Also, more space in a location can increase the opportunity to cross-sell products, which can add to a store’s earnings.
This is especially important for wholesale stores as the newly acquired space could contain five to 10 major selling brands. Considering the amount of merchandise these big-box stores move at a time, they often rely on having as much space available as possible to accommodate seasonal items or other services.
Customer Lifetime Value and Repeat Business
While there are customers who prefer traditional aisle options, most of your clientele will desire a quick shopping experience. If they achieve this expectation at your location, this will encourage them to come back and become recurring customers.
A faster shopping experience also allows customers to allocate more time toward other errands outside of your store without having to worry about time constraints. People want to spend their time on themselves, their families, and their work. That is something your store can provide them.
When you encourage fast, easy transaction capability, you encourage repeat business and a stronger lifetime value for your customer.
People Desire Options
E-commerce stores are more competitive when they offer multiple payment options, such as taking credit from major credit card companies. When a website can accept other forms of payment, like Apple Pay, the chances of selling more products can increase. Some websites will even provide payment plans that allow affordable, consistent payments instead of one lump sum.
Additionally, offering various forms of payment in a brick-and-mortar location is crucial! Luckily, you can do that with self-checkouts. For example, customers can rely on the traditional aisle payment and ask for bagging assistance if necessary. But if in a hurry, they have the option to scan items and complete the checkout process on their own.
How To Implement Self-Service Checkout Machines
While providing customers with a self-checkout option is one task, ensuring the equipment works with your business is just as vital. Here are a few ways to implement and integrate their functionality in your store.
Consider Design
Believe it or not, a self-checkout terminal’s design is an important element that can make or break a transaction. It helps to understand your customer’s journey and remove potential points of friction to maximize the self-checkout implementation and customer satisfaction.
Your POS system should be ADA-compliant to ensure accessibility for all shoppers, regardless of their abilities. Consider systems with contrast, larger text, and swivel motions as some key elements that can help facilitate a transaction.
If you’re looking for a swivel stand for your POS terminal, our PAX PX5 stand at Hilipro Inc. has a sturdy build and durability that lasts.
Always Offer Assistance
While self-checkout can limit human interaction, it doesn’t prevent it entirely. Some customers may struggle when using technology, so it helps to have an associate nearby who can provide assistance or conduct identification checks during alcohol purchases.
Test Mobile Point-of-Sales Equipment
Traditional cashier lanes and self-checkout lanes have one thing in common, and it’s their stationary feature. Limiting services to one area of the store can be inconvenient to those with limited mobility.
It’s possible to have checkout stations throughout a store by implementing a mobile point-of-sales system that deploys workers with equipment to assist with transactions anywhere. Customers will be able to use a smartphone, tablet, or another wireless gadget to checkout from any point in the store.
Customer experience is more desirable in some cases than price. When considering how self-checkout service can create a better experience, think about the impact it can have on your business model.
Will your customer be able to find reasons not to go to your store today? Is it busy this time of day? How easy is it to park and locate the necessary products within 10 minutes? Will they risk the chance of getting sick by interacting with someone else who’s sick?
These are all things consumers consider when shopping at brick-and-mortar stores. While it may not seem important at first, all of the answers to these questions can affect your approach when introducing self-checkout services into your location.
