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> Shopping can be quite boring because it’s such a routine, and this is a way to make the routine more interesting. Maybe there is an opportunity here to someh

> Shopping can be quite boring because it’s such a routine, and this is a way to make the routine more interesting. Maybe there is an opportunity here to somehow make shopping or self-checkout more thrilling and thus reduce shoplifting. Maybe add some features from a slot machine and give random discount or free items. Gamify the checkout experience so people want to buy more.

elliekelly 7y ago
That's a really good idea. A carrot instead of a stick. I've heard of a few "sticks" in the last few months that don't seem nearly as fun/customer friendly as yours: facial recognition to identify/charge thieves after the fact and AI that analyzes body language and identifies shoplifters through their (supposedly) suspicious behavior in-store. I'd also be curious whether the "honesty eyes" concept[1] would put a meaningful dent in self-checkout shrinkage. [1] http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5120662.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5120662.stm
_nhynes 7y ago
My guess is that expected payout would be too low to keep opportunistic shoplifters from doing their thing since most self-checkouters who aren't stealing would also get the discount. Otherwise this is a great idea.
- H8crilA 7y ago
  Lotto disagrees. In fact super rare wins make them perceived as so much more valuable (and so much more an object of envy if it happens so that your friend wins at the self checkout). Precise measurements are needed, this would be a cool psychology project to work on in some big chain.
faissaloo 7y ago
This idea seems absurd to me, I already sick of companies getting in my way and annoying me with 'buy more stuff!' just let me do my thing and leave me alone.
kalleboo 7y ago
Convenience stores here in Japan do that a lot - they'll have a campaign period where for every $10 you spend or so you get to pull a raffle ticket and might win a chocolate bar or can of beer on the spot. Not related to self-checkouts though (those haven't reached convenience stores yet, at least not outside of one or two enterprising franchisees) Certain brands of vending machines will also do a slot machine routine - the price LED display will spin numbers and if you get 4 in a row you win a second drink (I've never won)
NikkiA 7y ago
Here you go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJg02ivYzSs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJg02ivYzSs

elliekelly 7y ago

That's a really good idea. A carrot instead of a stick. I've heard of a few "sticks" in the last few months that don't seem nearly as fun/customer friendly as yours: facial recognition to identify/charge thieves after the fact and AI that analyzes body language and identifies shoplifters through their (supposedly) suspicious behavior in-store. I'd also be curious whether the "honesty eyes" concept[1] would put a meaningful dent in self-checkout shrinkage. [1] http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5120662.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5120662.stm

_nhynes 7y ago

My guess is that expected payout would be too low to keep opportunistic shoplifters from doing their thing since most self-checkouters who aren't stealing would also get the discount. Otherwise this is a great idea.

H8crilA 7y ago
Lotto disagrees. In fact super rare wins make them perceived as so much more valuable (and so much more an object of envy if it happens so that your friend wins at the self checkout). Precise measurements are needed, this would be a cool psychology project to work on in some big chain.

faissaloo 7y ago

This idea seems absurd to me, I already sick of companies getting in my way and annoying me with 'buy more stuff!' just let me do my thing and leave me alone.

kalleboo 7y ago

Convenience stores here in Japan do that a lot - they'll have a campaign period where for every $10 you spend or so you get to pull a raffle ticket and might win a chocolate bar or can of beer on the spot. Not related to self-checkouts though (those haven't reached convenience stores yet, at least not outside of one or two enterprising franchisees) Certain brands of vending machines will also do a slot machine routine - the price LED display will spin numbers and if you get 4 in a row you win a second drink (I've never won)

NikkiA 7y ago

Here you go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJg02ivYzSs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJg02ivYzSs