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Interesting to see how this develops internationally, and how dependent it is on standard wages. Here in Switzerland, the two top supermarkets (which basically

Interesting to see how this develops internationally, and how dependent it is on standard wages. Here in Switzerland, the two top supermarkets (which basically form an oligopoly) have had this system operating in every supermarket I have entered within the last 3 years. This is obviously motivated by the fact that Swiss wages are really high compared to the US, even adjusted for cost of living. I'd be interested to hear how far along this tech is internationally.

jdietrich 9y ago
Self-scanning was first launched in the UK in 1995. It's still available at some branches of Tesco, but it isn't particularly popular. https://www.marketingweek.com/1995/04/28/shelf-service-at-safeway/ https://www.marketingweek.com/1995/04/28/shelf-service-at-sa... https://www.tesco.com/scan-as-you-shop/ https://www.tesco.com/scan-as-you-shop/
- justincormack 9y ago
  Not sure why its not more popular, its much quicker. I havent used anything else for ages
robaato 9y ago
In UK we have supermarkets like Waitrose which do this (QuickCheck) and it works pretty well. You get a random rescan - though haven't been done for a long time (hopefully proved trustworthy in the past!). The smartphone app works, but is much less convenient I find because my phone goes off in between scanning items! One drawback is buying alcohol - you have to wait for an assistant to do override to ensure you are over 18 - can result in a wait. As for the various shops which offer self scan at checkout - most are very poor UX I find. You have to scan things and it is waiting for a weight to be added to bagging area - if you don't put it down it doesn't register. 5 items the same - all have to be scanned one at a time. Then there is annoying voice - I dislike them. Worst example is W H Smith at airports - not helped by lots of less than clued up people using them...
cinquemb 9y ago
These self checkouts are nowhere to be found in the grocery stores chains (LotteMart, Hero mostly, same applies to the smaller sized stores) I've been in Indonesia, quite possibly due to relatively low wages for workers compared to US. I wonder how long this will last though...
tonfa 9y ago
You don't need Swiss level of labor costs, self checkout was pretty common in France 8 years ago. Most likely it's a combination of cost + faster checkout (since self checkout are always all open, while regular lane staffing depends on time of day)
krn1p4n1c 9y ago
They've had this at ICA in Sweden for about the same amount of time. It's definitely convenient.

jdietrich 9y ago

Self-scanning was first launched in the UK in 1995. It's still available at some branches of Tesco, but it isn't particularly popular. https://www.marketingweek.com/1995/04/28/shelf-service-at-safeway/ https://www.marketingweek.com/1995/04/28/shelf-service-at-sa... https://www.tesco.com/scan-as-you-shop/ https://www.tesco.com/scan-as-you-shop/

justincormack 9y ago
Not sure why its not more popular, its much quicker. I havent used anything else for ages

robaato 9y ago

In UK we have supermarkets like Waitrose which do this (QuickCheck) and it works pretty well. You get a random rescan - though haven't been done for a long time (hopefully proved trustworthy in the past!). The smartphone app works, but is much less convenient I find because my phone goes off in between scanning items! One drawback is buying alcohol - you have to wait for an assistant to do override to ensure you are over 18 - can result in a wait. As for the various shops which offer self scan at checkout - most are very poor UX I find. You have to scan things and it is waiting for a weight to be added to bagging area - if you don't put it down it doesn't register. 5 items the same - all have to be scanned one at a time. Then there is annoying voice - I dislike them. Worst example is W H Smith at airports - not helped by lots of less than clued up people using them...

cinquemb 9y ago

These self checkouts are nowhere to be found in the grocery stores chains (LotteMart, Hero mostly, same applies to the smaller sized stores) I've been in Indonesia, quite possibly due to relatively low wages for workers compared to US. I wonder how long this will last though...

tonfa 9y ago

You don't need Swiss level of labor costs, self checkout was pretty common in France 8 years ago. Most likely it's a combination of cost + faster checkout (since self checkout are always all open, while regular lane staffing depends on time of day)

krn1p4n1c 9y ago

They've had this at ICA in Sweden for about the same amount of time. It's definitely convenient.