Retail stores have changed significantly in the past few decades and perhaps one of the biggest changes has been the introduction of touchscreen technology. They have improved the shopping experience for both customers and employees in a variety of ways. Let’s take a look at four of the biggest.
1- Self-Checkout Machines
Perhaps the biggest innovation has been the introduction of touchscreens on self-checkout machines, which allow customers to ring up their own items. Instead of interacting with a cashier, a tired shopper or one who has social anxiety can simply pick out their items, check out by themselves, and avoid conversations.
Businesses also benefit from these machines because they save money by employing fewer full-time cashiers. For example, a grocery store that normally has six cashiers on duty during peak hours can install four self-checkout machines, assign a cashier to assist customers with them, and have two additional cashiers for traditional checkouts. The same number of customers can buy items at the same time for half the labor cost.
2- A Faster Checkout TIme
Speaking of cashiers,touchscreen technology can help them do their jobs faster and reduce the amount of time customers stand in line. Imagine a store that sells locally-grown produce and has over 100 varieties of fruits and vegetables for sale.
Traditionally, cashiers would have to memorize the Produce Look-Up (PLU) codes for each item. With touchscreens, they press a few buttons and choose the correct item. The customer can check out quickly and the cashier doesn’t have to worry about accidentally typing in the wrong code, which could lead to the customer being charged the wrong price.
3- Item Lookup
Speaking of looking up items, many businesses offer touchscreen interfaces to customers to help them find the right item they need. A large hardware store with over 100 aisles can be a daunting sight for a customer who simply wants to find new tile for their bathroom. With a touchscreen, they simply type in “bathroom tile”, see that it’s aisle 87, then walk over to find the pattern they want.
The technology can also be used to display the store’s current ads and discounted items, letting customers shop for a deal without having to carry a copy of the store’s ad or check the website on their phone. In turn, the business benefits from increased sales.
4- Virtual Fitting Rooms
Another newer application for apparel stores is the virtual fitting room, where a camera does a 3D scan of the shopper, then allows them to see how the clothes they’ve selected will look on them. This is especially valuable in the wake of COVID-19, where customers will be less likely to try on clothes that numerous other people have tried on first.
These are just a few of the many ways that touchscreen technology has changed retail stores over the past few years. In the coming years, there are likely to be many more changes to come. Both retail workes and customers will benefit from touchscreen technology’s impact on the retail industry.
