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Publié le 12/09/2024

Self-Service Checkouts: 20 years already, What’s the Assessment?

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Self-service checkouts are celebrating their 20th anniversary in France. What was once a controversial technology has become an essential element of our daily shopping experiences. But what assessment can we make after two decades of use?

 

France bleu

12/09/24

 

According to a recent survey, self-service checkouts are becoming more and more accepted by French consumers.

 

A GRADUAL ADOPTION

The evolution of public opinion regarding self-service checkouts is remarkable. Initially a source of mistrust, they are now widely accepted by French consumers. This transformation is mainly explained by the convenience they offer, particularly for quick purchases in local shops.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

Self-service checkouts have undeniable advantages.

  • They speed up the purchasing process, especially for small, unexpected purchases.
  • In some stores like bakeries, they even improve hygiene by avoiding direct handling of cash by staff.

However, challenges remain. The main disadvantage remains the limitation of payment methods. Most self-service checkouts are designed for card payments, leaving aside consumers who prefer to pay in cash. This restriction can be problematic, especially in an inflationary context where some consumers prefer to use cash to better control their spending.

 

THE FUTURE OF SELF-SERVICE CHECKOUTS

New generations of self-service checkouts, capable of accepting cash payments, are emerging. These innovations aim to make the technology more inclusive and accessible to all types of consumers.

The technological horizon even extends beyond traditional self-service checkouts. Experiments conducted in the United States suggest a future where checkout would be completely invisible, without even going through a physical checkout.

These systems, already tested by e-commerce giants, could represent the next revolution in retail.

 

SECURITY : A MAJOR ISSUE

An important challenge for self-service checkouts is security. Data shows that the theft rate is significantly higher with these systems than with traditional checkouts. This issue raises questions about the need to improve surveillance systems and fraud prevention.

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