Refer to article: A new way to shop - check it out for yourself
It’s a great technological stride when self serve check outs are introduced in almost all Australian supermarkets. Read my earlier post on Big W’s system. Like Jayec pointed out - there is a problem with items with security tags. I did not have a problem scanning basic items at Big W, although I do see a problem with people that are easily bewildered by technology.
Like the article suggests, people with small items, and low number of items will be attracted to these self service check outs due to the “time saving” factor. But, I think expecting people to scan the items one by one is not the way to go. One way to avoid this problem is to place the item on the usual conveyor belt, and let is go through this “3 dimensional” scanner (sounds like a magic trick). Essentially, the item will be scanned no matter where the bar code is, because I can envisage people spending valuable “self serve check out time” trying to find the bar code. This will defeat the purpose of saving time with these check outs, and I can see people standing in line going “Oh my god, it’s there, it’s there you %$#&*”. I am not a tech expert, so I do not know if they have multi-focal point scanners yet.
Another important element is to make these self service check outs only for those with 10 items or less, or a fixed low number of items. Otherwise, people with trolley full loads will start using them, and ruin it for the rest of us. If you want to avoid this problem, then have portable bar code scanners which provide a running total of items purchased, so you can scan as you buy in the aisle. At the end of your shopping spree - the item information can be self served at the check out counter. This system might work better than the manual system, especially for grocery shopping. I believe they have these systems in some overseas stores: Martin’s, Top’s in the US, Pak n save in NZ and Superquinn in Ireland.
What do you think? Have you used any of the grocery store self serve check outs?
I love the idea of self service check outs - so much quicker and easier!
That said, I can see quite a few people being out of a job as these systems are introduced more and more into stores like Safeway, Coles, Target, etc.
Well, technology is here to stay and yes people will lose jobs as technology takes over some of our jobs. However, having said that - technology also creates jobs in other places such as service industries, and tech maintenance industries. Hopefully for check out “chicks” - they will stay with their respective companies, but in other positions like manning these tech stations and helping customers get through them faster.