Diebold Nixdorf

After slumping in the previous year, the global market für POS hardware grew by 18 per cent in 2021, reports market research firm RBR. In the highly fragmented market, HP remains the strongest supplier. Challengers, especially from China and Taiwan are also gaining ground in Europe.

Lekkerland, in cooperation with energy supplier ENBW, opened the first fully automated unmanned container store named Rewe Ready end of September. The autonomous grocery store of the Rewe Group subsidiary is located at the EnBW fast charging park for electrical cars in Bispingen, Lower Saxony. The store's technology originates from Paderborn-based company Latebird.

The market for self-checkout systems is growing by 11 percent worldwide, according to market research company RBR. Biggest growth driver is the Asia-Pacific region. NCR remains the undisputed market leader, but Chinese vendors are catching up.

Co-op UK is testing automatic age verification at SCOs in five stores in Manchester. Technology from Diebold Nixdorf and Yoti is expected to increase self-checkout speed and reduce staff intervention.

Pepco has opened its first German store in Berlin. Customers can pay there at four Diebold Nixdorf self-checkouts. The textile and household goods discounter will open more locations in the east of the country this year.

Lidl is now also introducing self-checkouts in Germany. With Swiss hardware specialist 4POS and its software supplier GK, Lidl is embarking on a platform strategy using the same standard components as at its attended checkouts. Cash payment is possible at all devices: thanks to cash recyclers from Glory.

In its new convenience format Quartier, Tegut is piloting self-scanning in combination with stationary self-checkouts on a new technological basis. For the first time, Tegut is using the software from GK. The self-scanning apps for both formats were developed by Aracom.

Bünting enables customers of its new Combi City store in Emden to shop autonomously at off-peak hours. Technology from Wanzl controls and monitors the unmanned operation.

Edeka Nordbayern offers its members a customised self-checkout solution. The compact systems come from Pyramid and work with software from GK.

A nine-member independent jury has selected this year's winners of the Reta Awards on behalf of the EHI Retail Institute. Winners in five categories include retail companies such as E.Leclerc, Edeka, Fressnapf, Ikea, Rewe, Salling Group and Tegut.