Retailers are always looking for ways to improve their store's efficiency and deliver a better shopping experience for customers. In these stores, the checkout process is where things can slow down and it becomes a challenge for retailers to tackle it effectively.
However, with the help of self-checkout technologies, many retailers are successfully making the checkout process smoother in their stores. The most prominent and widely implemented self-checkout systems are self-checkout kiosks, which help in reducing in-store queues. Another more recently developed technology is mobile self-checkout, which uses customers’ devices (smartphones).
These innovations have changed how customers interact with your store. But with these two popular options—self-checkout kiosks and mobile self-checkout systems— as a retailer, how do you decide which one is the right fit for your business? Each one has its own advantages.
In this blog, we will help you:
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Understand these two self-checkout technologies in retail
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Explore key differences between them
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Decide between the two solutions for their advantages
Let’s begin with the definitions.
What is a self-checkout kiosk?
Self-checkout kiosks are interactive devices that allow customers to scan, bag, and pay for their items without the assistance of store staff. These systems are specialized self-service machines that usually have touchscreen interfaces, barcode scanners, and payment processing capabilities.
Customers can use these kiosks to:
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Scan the barcodes of their purchases
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Place items into bags after scanning
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Complete their transactions using various payment methods
Self-checkout kiosks have become quite common. You are most likely to see them in grocery stores, big retail chains, and shopping malls.
What is mobile self-checkout?
Mobile self-checkout is a relatively newer yet highly effective technology that allows customers to use their smartphones to scan items, manage their shopping carts, and complete purchases in-store without the need for traditional checkout counters or cashiers.
This technology often relies on barcodes (or QR codes) for product scanning and NFC (near-field communication) for quick and seamless payments.
Instead of being tied to a fixed place, customers can complete their shopping from anywhere in the store. Mobile self-checkout systems are gradually becoming common in the retail space.
So, now you have a basic understanding of self-checkout kiosks and mobile self-checkout. Let’s see the key differences between these technologies.
Key differences between self-checkout kiosks and mobile self-checkout
There are several differences between self-checkout kiosks and mobile checkout technology. Let’s explore some of the main differences:
Hardware vs software-based systems
Self-checkout kiosks require a proper hardware setup. Each unit has its own components like touchscreens, barcode scanners, card readers, and POS systems. These machines must be installed and maintained within your store, which requires regular updates to ensure smooth functionality.
In case of any hardware failures like malfunctioning scanners or card readers, can disrupt the checkout process and usually require immediate attention from store staff or technicians.
Mobile self-checkout only requires software in the form of apps. This technology lets your customers use their own smartphones for in-store shopping. This software-centric approach eliminates the need for physical infrastructure and makes it a more agile and cost-effective solution for businesses that are looking for affordable options.
Cost implications
Installing self-checkout kiosks in your store involves a significant upfront investment because each unit costs a significant amount of money. Plus, you also have to consider additional expenses that could include maintenance, software licensing, and hardware repairs. Over time, these costs can add up, especially for stores with multiple locations.
With mobile self-checkout, the cost structure is drastically different. Your main expense is app development and ongoing support, which is typically lower than the hardware investment required for kiosks. Also, there’s no need for bulky equipment or maintenance costs, and updates are easier to implement through the app rather than physical machines.
Space utilization
Kiosks take up valuable floor space in your store. You’ll need to allocate specific areas for their installation. In smaller stores, this space limitation can be a significant drawback.
Mobile self-checkout requires no physical footprint. Your customers use their smartphones to complete their shopping. Having this technology basically allows you to have more store space that you can use strategically for your business operations. If you are a store owner with very limited space you will surely find this flexibility advantageous as it allows you to optimize every inch for sales or customer experience.
Customer experience
Self-service kiosks are designed to provide a structured and consistent checkout experience. Your customers have to follow a step-by-step process to complete their shopping and make payments. However, during busy hours, these kiosks can create bottlenecks as shoppers may have to wait for their turn as there’s a physical limit to the number of kiosks you can have in your store.
With mobile self-checkout systems, your customers enjoy full autonomy. They can scan and pay for items anywhere in the store. They don’t have to wait for their turn to check out no matter how much rush is it in your store.
Scalability
Scaling kiosks requires substantial investment. Every additional kiosk demands the purchase of hardware, installation, and maintenance. Besides, it needs to be set up if you’re opening a branch of your store in a different location. This process can be time-consuming and expensive. So, retailers like you who are experiencing rapid growth, may not find it suitable enough.
Mobile systems scale effortlessly because there is no hassle of hardware installation. Expanding to new locations involves updating the app only. This simplicity allows rapidly growing businesses like yours to adapt quickly to business growth without incurring high costs or logistical delays.
Integration with other technologies
Self-checkout kiosks often have limited compatibility with advanced technologies. Features like augmented reality (AR) or AI-driven recommendations can be difficult to implement in these machines due to the hardware’s static nature. The only option is to upgrade the existing kiosks. And again, that can be costly and time-consuming.
Mobile checkout systems shine in this aspect as they easily integrate with newly developed technologies. From AR features that provide product information to AI-driven recommendations based on shopping history, mobile self-checkout apps can enhance the customer experience in ways kiosks simply cannot.
After reading that, if you feel like mobile self-checkout solutions seem better than self-checkout kiosks, then you are not entirely wrong. There are some clear advantages of mobile checkout over kiosks.
Advantages of mobile self-checkout over self-checkout kiosks
There are numerous benefits of mobile checkout for retailers like you over self-checkout kiosks. Let’s take a look at some of the most prominent ones:
Convenience for customers
Mobile self-checkout eliminates fixed checkout points, which enables your customers to scan and pay for items on the go within your store. This flexibility significantly reduces congestion, especially during peak shopping hours.
Faster checkout
With mobile self-checkout, you are eliminating waiting lines in the true sense. Your shoppers can complete transactions as soon as they finish adding items to their cart. They don’t have to wait for an available kiosk.
Cost efficiency
Having mobile checkout systems means you don’t have to worry about investing in expensive hardware like touchscreens, receipt printers, or scanners. Moreover, maintaining these systems requires minimal effort as it relies on devices your customers already own.
Integration with loyalty programs
Mobile self-checkout integrates seamlessly with loyalty programs. This allows your customers to receive personalized discounts, rewards and offers directly through the app. Kiosks can’t offer this level of personalization.
Real-time inventory updates
Mobile checkout systems dynamically update inventory as items are scanned in your store. This helps you maintain accurate stock levels. Kiosks often lag in providing such real-time updates, which can lead to potential discrepancies.
Personalized shopping experience
Through mobile self-checkout apps, you can deliver tailored promotions and recommendations to each shopper. Kiosks usually offer a more generic experience.
Reduced maintenance and operational costs
As mobile self-checkout solutions use your customers’ smartphones for product scanning and payments, there are minimal to no maintenance and operational costs involved.
Increased accessibility
Mobile checkout systems are usable anywhere in your store, which offers unmatched convenience. Customers can move around your store in different aisles and add any product to their cart at their convenience.
Sustainability benefits
Mobile self-checkout supports digital receipts. This helps businesses like yours cut down on paper waste and align with sustainability goals.
Ease of scaling across multiple locations
When expanding your business, mobile self-checkout systems make scaling simple—just update the app for each store. There’s no need to invest in new hardware or any other equipment.
Read more - Mobile Self-Checkout for Retail: A Guide to Easy Implementation
Final thoughts
Self-checkout kiosks and mobile self-checkout systems each bring value to retail stores, but their advantages cater to different needs. Kiosks offer a familiar and hardware-based experience that is ideal for customers who prefer a structured process, while mobile self-checkout provides unparalleled flexibility, cost efficiency, and convenience.
No doubt, self-checkout kiosks can be ideal for large retail chains and shopping malls. However, there are some clear advantages of mobile-self checkout solutions over self-checkout kiosks, especially for retailers who have limited space availability in their stores.
So if you are among such retailers and you want to provide faster and smarter checkout in your store then Scan ‘N’ Thru can be your ideal choice.
Mobile self-checkout systems can upgrade your retail business in multiple ways by:
- Empowering your customers
- Reducing operational costs
- Offering a scalable and future-ready approach
The best time to invest in mobile checkout solutions is now as it is designed to fulfill modern customer expectations. And doing that will result in more customer engagement and higher profits.
