NCR
Corporation (NYSE: NCR), the global leader in consumer
transaction technologies, announced today that Tesco is improving the
customer checkout experience by piloting a new, high-speed retail
checkout solution from NCR. Each unit allows three shoppers to pack and
pay at the same time, using innovative imaging technology to
automatically scan products placed on a conveyor belt. The four units at
the new Tesco Extra 24-hour store in Lincoln, U.K. are the first public
Tesco pilot of the solution.
This innovative checkout experience reduces queuing, allowing customers
to get out of the store more quickly, by increasing the rate at which
items are scanned, packed and paid. The flexibility of the NCR retail
checkout solution also allows customers to decide how they wish to use
it and proceed at their own pace without the pressure of another
customer waiting to check out. Each unit is staffed by up to three Tesco
employees.
NCR collaborated with Tesco to empower Tesco’s associates to spend more
time engaging with shoppers and delivering great customer service at the
checkout, driving up satisfaction and loyalty. Instead of having to scan
each item, Tesco associates are freed up to help customers unload their
trolley onto the conveyor that scans items automatically and then
directs each basket to separate stations, allowing up to three customers
to pack and pay for their shopping simultaneously. Customers can
complete their shopping transaction using cash or payment cards, as well
as scan their Tesco Clubcard or utilize coupons.
Nigel Fletcher, director, Tesco U.K. said, “We are always looking for
innovative ways to support our colleagues to give great service and to
improve the shopping experience for our customers. We’re looking forward
to seeing what our customers in Lincoln think of the new checkouts over
the coming weeks and months.”
A number of factors significantly increase the speed at which shoppers
can check out. This includes the ability to process up to three
customers in parallel using an innovative new rotating turntable and
re-designed collection area for scanned items. The design allows the
shopping to be distributed more evenly within the packing area, allowing
for a greater number of items to be processed and collected for packing.
The new retail checkout solution uses innovative imaging technology from
Datalogic that automatically finds the barcode on any side of the
product without the need to orient the item on the conveyor belt. It is
capable of scanning up to 60 items per minute, greatly speeding the
transaction.
“Great customer service is one of the cornerstones of today’s highly
competitive U.K. retail industry and supermarkets, such as Tesco, must
differentiate themselves to attract and retain shoppers,” said Ronen
Levkovich, EMEA vice president, NCR Retail. “As consumers increasingly
expect a better experience, incorporating innovative software and
hardware becomes increasingly important. The development of this
exciting new technology alongside Tesco is a great example of how we are
working with customers to help them differentiate the experience and
make every day easier for shoppers.”
Today, NCR handles more than 125,000 consumer transactions around the
world every minute.
About NCR Corporation
NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) is the global leader in consumer transaction
technologies, turning everyday interactions with businesses into
exceptional experiences. With its software, hardware, and portfolio of
services, NCR enables more than 485 million transactions daily across
retail, financial, travel, hospitality, telecom and technology, and
small business. NCR solutions run the everyday transactions that make
your life easier.
NCR is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia with approximately 29,000
employees and does business in 180 countries. NCR is a trademark of NCR
Corporation in the United States and other countries.
Web sites: www.ncr.com,
www.ncrsilver.com
Twitter: @NCR_UK,
@NCRCorporation,
@NCR_Retail
Facebook: NCR
Corp., NCR
Retail
LinkedIn: NCR
Corporation, NCR
Retail
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/ncrcorporation
Copyright Business Wire 2014