The perfect self-checkout process has as many faces as there are models of self-service checkouts in our offer 

Did you know that the inspiration for creating self-service checkouts was an American customer who, irritated by the prolonged waiting in line, scanned his products himself when it was his turn, thereby speeding up his payment process? This happened back in 1986 at a Kroger supermarket in Atlanta. 

Since then, self-service checkouts have evolved from simple barcode scanning solutions to additional functions such as paying for products without a barcode, participating in loyalty programs, and weighing products. The pandemic in 2020 probably gave the most decisive impetus to this evolution, as reducing interactions among people was imperative. Today, we can say that no store does not consider introducing self-service checkouts. 

In Serbia and the region, self-service checkouts recorded an increase in turnover in 2023 compared to 2022, indicating that more customers are accepting the changes they bring and understanding their benefits. While the process of integrating self-service checkouts in Serbia (as in any other market) has its phases and factors that speed it up or slow it down, one thing is sure: self-checkouts, where consumers scan their products themselves and pay without the assistance of a cashier, are here to stay. 

If there are challenges regarding self-service checkouts, it would be the shift in mentality and approach of that part of customers who value contact with the cashier and the warmth of human communication or are less proficient with technology and, therefore, choose to wait in line. Considering the demands for speed, user experience improvement, and constant business modernization, self-service checkouts undoubtedly represent the future of retail payments, especially in consumer goods stores. 

The advantages of self-service checkouts are numerous:    

• Labor cost savings: while each customer becomes their own "cashier,” one employee can supervise up to six self-service checkouts and directly contribute to customer satisfaction better than standing at the checkout. 

• Faster payment processes, shorter lines, and increased efficiency: we all know how frustrating long lines in markets can be and how they affect the perception of retail. Customer satisfaction is directly related to the waiting time in line and the simplicity of the payment system. 

• Space saving: the number of self-service checkouts in the payment zone is based on the analysis of the number of transactions, the periods when purchases are made, and the average shopping basket, resulting in optimization of the payment zone and freeing up to 30% of the space in that zone. 

• Reduction of physical contact and privacy for those who prefer shopping without interaction with store staff: Customers' need to shop without unwanted contacts and conversations is legitimate, and the trend of introducing self-service checkouts perfectly meets this need. 

• Improvement of the store's image through process optimization and user experience enhancement by implementing advanced digital solutions: innovative, technologically advanced retailers will inevitably attract technologically oriented customers. 

And what can INPUT offer when it comes to self-service checkouts for your store?   

Our offer includes many solutions with different characteristics and possibilities, available in all region countries through INPUT offices in Serbia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Tangible evidence of INPUT's production so far is the self-checkout zones in MAXI stores across Serbia, while the range of self-checkout and implementation options is even broader. Meet the MoweFlow family of self-service checkouts for small and medium purchases, modular hybrid solutions that can operate in self-checkout and cashier-assisted mode, and TwinFlow models for customers with large baskets and carts. There are also sophisticated ITAB Move Flow S solutions with a control scale that, in addition to the usual card payment modality, offer the possibility of cash payment. 

In terms of security, since the introduction of self-service checkouts results in increased theft attempts and cash shortages, the zones where they are located require permanent surveillance and exit control systems. For theft prevention, there are exit control systems such as Sesame or Scan Master. 

If you are determined to improve the payment process, our offer of self-service checkout models, knowledge, and experience are available. Contact us, and together, we will develop your self-checkout solution.