case study
Introduction
NCR Corporation, a global leader in
consumer transaction technologies, has
announced that SPAR, the largest private
employer in Austria, is working with NCR
to develop innovative store concepts. In
its most recent project, SPAR is using the
cashless NCR SelfServ 90 self-checkouts
and NCR FastLane software in three
locations in Vienna and Graz to help
reduce wait times. The self-checkouts
accept all standard credit and debit cards,
as well as SPAR’s own payment card, and
were used for 50 per cent of all checkouts
in the store on the campus of the Vienna
University of Economics in March 2016.
Due to the high acceptance and following
thorough evaluation as well as a testing
phase, SPAR is considering rolling out the
technology to its other high frequency
locations.
Digital Innovation
The assortment of the SPAR supermarket
on the campus of the university provides
a wide range of snacks and convenience
food offerings to cater to the needs and
preferences of students. After lectures,
long queues at the checkouts were
a common sight. In cooperation with
students of the Retail and Marketing
program, SPAR developed new store
concepts and turned its store on the
university campus into an innovation
lab in which new technologies can be
deployed. In order to help reduce queues,
SPAR introduced the small footprint NCR
SelfServ 90 self-checkouts. “A modern
retailer requires innovation,” explained
Hans K. Reisch, member of the SPAR
management board. “Our own digital
innovation forum works with external
partners to create unique technology
solutions that benefit our customers and
employees. The cashless self-checkouts
are a prime example of a beneficial
innovation. Right from the beginning, we
achieved usage rates of 50 per cent in our
SPAR market at the University in Vienna.”
“Students who use the self-checkouts,
complete their shopping in just a few
"In high frequency stores, long lines
are frustrating for customers. If they
have to rush to their next lecture or
their train, they often abandon their
basket and leave the store."
minutes and can return to their next
lecture,” added Alois Huber, Managing
Director of SPAR in East Austria. “We aim
to create a fast and convenient shopping
experience for our customers. Due to
the high acceptance of the cashless selfcheckouts, we are considering a roll-out
to other stores in central, high frequency
locations.”
Conclusion
SPAR was the first supermarket chain
in Austria to introduce self-checkouts.
Today up to 45 per cent of its customers
use the NCR self-checkouts for their daily
shopping in 23 locations. Now SPAR is
the first retailer to test the cashless NCR
checkouts in three different stores in
Vienna and Graz. SPAR benefits from
a higher customer throughput while
customers save time. If customers are
using the contactless card payment
option, the checkout process can take as
little as five seconds.
“In high frequency stores, long lines
are frustrating for customers. If they have
to rush to their next lecture or their train,
they often abandon their basket and
leave the store,” said Stefan Clemens,
Area Sales Leader for Germany, Austria
and Switzerland at NCR Retail. “Cashless
self-checkouts are cost effective, smallfootprint options to combat revenue loss.
The popularity of our solutions at SPAR
proves that customers who are pressed
for time embrace card-only payments for
a grab-and-go experience.”
www.ncr.com
KIOSK solutions 37