Edinburgh-based independent co-op says research shows shoppers want checkout choice
SCOTMID Co-operative, the Edinburgh-based mutual retailer with stores throughout Scotland, is to introduce self-service tills in four of its outlets in a pilot project that could lead to the tills being installed in many more of its stores.
The firm reckons it’s the first UK c-store chain to introduce the consumer-operated tills, although supermarket giant Tesco already uses such tills in many of its Tesco Express stores.
Scotmid’s Pilrig store in Edinburgh is the first branch to have the new self-checkout devices. It will be followed by three more stores in the Edinburgh area.
The second unit to install the self-service equipment will be the city’s Leven Street branch. It will be followed by the store in Ratho and then by Warrender Park, which was the first of the group’s premium fresh-led outlets.
Scotmid says it’s introducing the self-service tills in response to consumer research, which found that its shoppers wanted the choice of how they are served at the checkout. The new tills will feature an interface that’s intended to be intuitive and shopper-friendly and the tills will feature animated instructions.
If the pilot project is successful, Scotmid plans to introduce the self-service tills to other suitable stores in its estate over the next year.
Tom Gibson, marketing manager for Scotmid, said: “Our research has shown that many of our customers want the option of using a self-service till. Self-checkout tills can give customers more control when they are paying for their items, and can also speed up the serving times when a store is very busy.
“We, of course, will still have the friendly faces of our staff at the checkout too.”
