Queue busting at Woolworths
Retailers know that reducing the amount of time spent at a checkout, especially during peak trading periods, is a key factor in achieving customer satisfaction.
Proven benefits include customer retention and increased turnover. ‘Queue-busting’ allows retailers to set up mobile checkouts that deal with customer queues ‘on the spot’ therefore drastically reducing waiting times.
The system works by scanning products using a handheld device which accesses the retailer’s own system (in real-time) over a radio frequency (RF) infrastructure and thus provides up-to-date product, price and promotion information. Receipts are issued using lightweight mobile printers, worn by the staff.
The Woolworths Story
Episys is a successful mobile computing and printing solutions company with clients in both the US and UK. They were the first ever to deploy full transaction ‘Queue-busting’ technology for leading retailer, Woolworths PLC. The system was introduced to 200 stores in time to cope with the checkout lines for Christmas and January sales.
Episys and technology partner, NSB Retail, used the ‘queue busting’ concept to enable the stores to set up mobile checkouts, allowing checkout lines to be dealt with ‘on the spot’ thus drastically reducing waiting times.
The Woolworths mobile POS solution uses hardware from Extech Instruments, (a leader in the design of mobile receipt printers), and Nordic ID, (a Finnish based terminal maker). Extech’s S3500THS portable printers have ISO compatible integrated magnetic card readers and smart card readers. New features that make the printer even easier to use include a belt loop system for day-long portability, a simple paper-loading system and a lighter, more durable design. Three
communication options are available on the printer, including an integrated Bluetooth™ module. Nordic ID supplied the PiccoLink RF600 handheld terminals, a wireless data collection system that extends company data wherever needed.
Nicola Pritchard, Programme Manager at Woolworth comments: “We believe that Woolworth is the first to implement a solution which can complete full transactions using mobile checkouts. The EPOS platform that NSB has provided and the mobile solution that Episys and its partners have devised mean we can look at further enhancements in the future to maintain our competitive advantage.”
Future opportunities for the ‘Queue-busting’ technology within Woolworth are limitless: the application can be adapted to cope with a broad range of transactions including vouchers and refunds, all without waiting. Another advantage is the cost savings achieved by reducing the need and expense of checkout equipment and space. As the queues diminish, staff can maximise the use of available equipment for other applications.
