The rise of self-checkouts and how they’ve changed retail

Retail is a vital and constantly evolving business sector, and the constant need to cater to modern customers motivates innovations and technologies. This means that the checkout experience is evolving, too. Self-checkout has been a cornerstone of the modern shopper’s experience, and the value it can add to a business shouldn’t be underestimated.

These convenient retail tools offer a wide range of advantages for both retailers and customers. Exploring how self-checkouts have evolved throughout the retail industry, their presence in the sector, and their effect on a shopper’s checkout experience should give you the insights required to understand the necessity of a self-checkout system. With Trust Retail’s help, your business can be equipped to tackle this essential element of modern retail.

Understanding self-checkout

Self-checkout is a retail technology that enables customers to scan, bag, and pay for their purchases independently without cashier assistance.

Self-checkout kiosks enable customers to interact directly with the technology to complete their shopping process. With these systems, retailers can increase customer satisfaction by eliminating long wait times and streamlining the checkout experience.

How self-checkout has grown

The self-checkout was first in its infancy in 1984, a minimal splash in the world of retail at the time, but four decades later, the industry is packed with them, with numbers in the hundreds of thousands. Only a decade ago, when self-checkout was starting to make its strides as a mainstream part of the grocery shopping experience, it wasn’t exactly popular with customers, initial experiences with it seemed to be tricky but the convenience of the technology outweighed growing pains and now it is an integral part of retail.

With customer convenience being an absolute priority, it’s no surprise the prevalence of self-checkout has reached. Customers increasingly enjoy simplicity and seamlessness in their shopping experience, and self-checkouts are a simple way for them to achieve this. A study in 2021 said that 80% of in-store shoppers like the idea of a non-traditional checkout, with 66% saying that these are the optimal options for them. Furthermore, speed and reduced wait times were cited as key benefits of the self-checkout.

Despite some growing pains, the rate at which self-checkout has overcome retail and will continue to do so is no surprise. With Trust Retail, incorporating this cutting-edge technology into your business couldn’t be easier.

The state of self-checkout

Self-checkout is commonplace when visiting a grocery store, and its presence is growing in the retail sector as a whole. The past few decades have seen it become essential to the grocery store business model. Here are some key statistics on self-checkout in retail from Capital One Shopping:

• 75.5% of self-checkout kiosks are installed in retail stores.
• 96% of grocery stores offer self-checkout.
• Early estimates indicate that 10,000 global retailers have installed self-checkout systems since 2024.
• Projections indicate that by 2030, over 24,000 stores will offer self-checkout.

An unprecedented presence throughout the retail sector and an incredible projected growth that will see the average store layout be built around the self-checkout experience.

Self-checkout benefits for retailers

Retail brands like Zara are starting to embrace self-checkout on a more widespread scale. The benefits this technology has offered to grocery stores have been recognised, and the potential benefits to retailers are evident. The following are some of the benefits they receive:

• Reduced wait times: Self-checkout kiosks can significantly reduce wait times. When a store provides the option of in-person checkouts, which will generate queues, but also several additional self-checkouts, queues will arise far less frequently and reduce significantly in size.
• Enhanced employee efficiency: Staff released from constant attendance at the checkout can focus on customer satisfaction. They’ll be available to assist customers and run general administrative tasks around the store, such as inventory checks and stocking items.
• Loyalty Integration: These systems can seamlessly integrate with loyalty programs, enhancing customer engagement and retention. By rewarding loyal customers, you can cultivate a sense of brand loyalty, leading to higher spending over time. Customers’ comfort in purchasing products or services strengthens as they remain with a business. This can lead to higher spending from customers with a consistent perception of quality.

Self-checkout with Trust Retail

91% of retailers believe self-checkouts contribute to higher sales as it is preferred by 77% of customers. Additionally, self-checkout speeds up the transaction process by 30%. Our user-friendly self-checkout machine will benefit you and your customers.

Retailers utilising self-checkout systems have many benefits. Their increased presence in the modern retail market has made them a part of the checkout that customers are beginning to expect. The growth and prevalence of automation in retail are unprecedented, and retailers that embrace this will open a new avenue for their business.

Trust Payments’ self-checkout system will help unlock these benefits for your store. Our technology is designed to maximise space and improve store layout in a slimline portrait mode. Embrace the future of retail with self-checkout and transform your store’s checkout experience for the better.