Scanner itself dispels the checkout girl not yet

The scanner itself does not seem to store more away from the supermarket. In many shops it is already possible to self scan the groceries and pay quickly. Still, the rise is slower than expected. The first experiments with this new form of payment date both already in the nineties. In 2003, the self-scanning began to expand.

That enlargement experts thought it would be superfluous half of checkout staff within five years. That is more than twelve years later, still far from the case. In the new 'unattended' shop in Amsterdam checkout girls are staged as hostess.

Price
According food designer and former marketer Marielle Bordewijk checkout girls will never disappear. ,, Of course it is primarily a measure of efficiency. The price is still the most common way to stay ahead of the competition a step. I do not expect cash registers completely disappear, but I think that more and more of these zelfafreken systems will come. ''

Clinical
According Bordewijk supermarkets must be careful that they are not too clinical. ,, It's all what businesslike. The humanity disappears. I think you just the role of your staff needs to give more meaning. The cashier lady is also under severe time pressure, so cozy, that's not always. Then give your cashiers indeed the role of hostess or host and let them really connect with customers. It is of course the hostess to assess who needs it and who is not. ''

Bordewijk sees more opportunities in advance of the self-scanning checkout. ,, You can then more people committed to real specialist work, put professionals example real butcher knowledge back to the meat department. ''

Coffee-grounds
According to the Central Bureau of Food, the professional organization for supermarkets, the future is uncertain. ,, It is for us a little coffee-look ''. sets Officer Miranda Boer. ,, We have in recent years seen the self-scan checkouts and increased customer there is also used to it. But we still have a large number of cashiers. ''

The CBL sees the rise of the self-scanning checkout no additional risk of theft. ,, Most of the clients can be trusted and there is also remote control. We also have samples. But not everyone is a thief and steal people who really want to find a way. Who do not take the risicio to fall within a sample. Shoplifters are generally more inventive. ''

With the self-scanning checkout, the control of alcohol and tobacco do not expire. The cash register blocks namely when alcohol is served. Only an employee can then complete the payment.

Checkout Girl
The checkout girl for some indispensable, evidenced by the many enthusiastic responses to our call for the 'best cashier of the Netherlands'. The nominees have a heart for the customer, are always cheerful and ready for everyone.

For example it is not at all strange to stand in the longest queue for that one cashier because of her smile and lovely chat. A poll showed that 18 percent of readers patter at checkout will miss the most if there would only be self-scanners.

Children also seem to benefit from the cashier. ,, With 'auntie' Celine anything goes. Even small children know her and sweets in her bag to find good! '"Writes a member of the Albert Heijn in Uithuizen about her colleague.

For some customers, a cashier over someone settles the messages. Thus Voituron Nicolette, who has 25 years working at the AH, even customers who are now among her friends. The poll shows that a majority oppose the acquisition of self-scanners (64 percent). About half (48 percent) of them believe that the self-scanners merely be fumbling and long lines.

 Chris Patten /ad.nl / © Reuters