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Grocery retailers in South Africa are testing self-service checkout tills, signalling a shift towards automation that could reshape operations and the customer experience.<\/p>\n
Woolworths is the latest to pilot a self-service checkout till.<\/p>\n
Many people fear that adopting technological advancements such as automation and artificial intelligence (AI) will displace jobs.<\/p>\n
Checkers, under the Shoprite Group, was the first grocery retailer in the country to trial self-service checkout tills in Brackenfell and Constantia in the Western Cape last year.<\/p>\n
However, the self-service checkout method is dominant in many fast-food outlets, including KFC, McDonald\u2019s and Burger King.<\/p>\n
\u2018No jobs at risk\u2019 during the trial<\/strong><\/p>\n The retailer has assured that no jobs are at risk due to the trial of the self-service till.<\/p>\n \u201cImportant to note, this initiative does not impact till operator roles,\u201d a Woolworths spokesperson told\u00a0The Citizen.<\/p>\n Read: Checkers trials SA\u2019s first smart trolley with built-in checkout<\/p>\n ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n CONTINUE READING BELOW<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \u201cOur focus is on upskilling and redeploying team members into other roles within store environments as we continue to evolve our service offering.\u201d<\/p>\n The spokesperson added that the self-service Express Till is currently being trialled at the Woolworths Foreshore store in Cape Town.<\/p>\n Why the Foreshore store?<\/strong><\/p>\n The retailer said the Foreshore store has a smaller format and busy lunchtime trade, which makes it a suitable environment to test the technology in a real trading context, particularly for customers shopping with smaller baskets and looking for a speedier experience.<\/p>\n \u201cAt present, this is a limited pilot involving one till in a single store,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cThe objective is to evaluate the overall customer journey, including ease of use, speed of transaction and customer acceptance, before making any decisions about broader implementation.<\/p>\n \u201cInsights from this pilot phase will help us determine how the solution performs operationally, and how it is experienced by both customers and staff.\u201d<\/p>\n How the Express Till works<\/strong><\/p>\n Woolworths said the self-service till will enable customers to scan and pay for their items while still receiving in-store support.<\/p>\n \u201cA dedicated team member will always be on hand to assist, guide customers where needed, and ensure the process runs smoothly.\u201d<\/p>\n ADVERTISEMENT:<\/p>\n CONTINUE READING BELOW<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n It adds\u201d \u201cThe area has clear signage, and the checkout has been positioned to be visible and easy to access. The experience has been intentionally designed to be simple, intuitive and efficient.\u201d<\/p>\n Woolworths added that this is a response to changing customer expectations, as many of its customers are increasingly comfortable with digital, self-led solutions, and appreciate the convenience of a faster checkout option.<\/p>\n Not for alcohol purchases<\/strong><\/p>\n The retailer said that for the duration of the trial alcohol purchases are not available through the Express Till; they must be processed at staffed tills.<\/p>\n It noted that security remains a key consideration, with the trial operating within its existing in-store security environment, including built-in system controls, and with active oversight by team members.<\/p>\n Listen\/read: \u201cWe will continue to monitor performance closely as part of the pilot to ensure the process remains secure and effective,\u201d said Woolworths. \u201cInitial feedback has been positive and the trial will allow us to assess this more formally.\u201d<\/p>\n This article was first published\u00a0here.<\/em><\/p>\n Follow Moneyweb\u2019s in-depth finance and business news on WhatsApp here.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
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Woolworths hasn\u2019t \u2018been in better shape\u2019 \u2013 Bagattini
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Woolies Dash sales surge 24.2%<\/p>\n