Discount store operator Netto, which part of the Edeka Group, has placed a large order for new self-checkout hardware with Pyramid. Pyramid’s Polytouch devices won the tender issued by the Maxhütte-Haidhof-based retailer. Over the next five years, 1,000 of these devices will be installed in Netto stores. The terminals will run GK’s software, which Netto is using on both its staffed and self-checkout counters.
Self-service checkouts are not a new thing at Edeka’s discount banner operation: Netto has been using them since summer 2017 at selected locations under the name “Express Kassen”. Supermarktblog (in German language) regularly reports on the customer experience with different self-checkouts at Edeka’s Netto stores.
As part of the current re-tendering process for the hardware, Pyramid’s project team was given the opportunity to analyse user behaviour at the existing terminals in three Netto stores and conduct shopper surveys. Using a checklist that broke down the self-checkout process into 19 individual steps, Pyramid developed suggestions for improvement for Netto.
Customers want symmetry
One of the findings of the analysis was that customers do not want to be told which direction to move the goods in when scanning. Some like to scan their products from right to left, others the other way round. The result is a symmetrical design for the new terminals.
Pyramid also scored points with Netto by slimming down the design: the new devices weigh significantly less than the old ones and are slimmer. To enable the peripheral devices to be changed, they are no longer permanently installed in the housing but are mounted on top, as is the case with Lidl, for example.
Also hybrid checkouts
With more than 4,400 stores, Edeka’s Netto is the retail banner operation with the most sites in Germany. Even Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd combined have fewer stores in the country. In addition to pure self-checkouts, Netto also uses hybrid checkout counters where the checkout can be operated by both employees and customers. The Retail Optimiser reported.
