There was a recent discussion on retailwire.com about self-service transactions. Transactions at self-service kiosks are expected to top $607 billion this year and grow to over $1.7 trillion by 2012. Retailers love self-service kiosks because it can significantly increase customer loyalty and customer satisfaction while reducing labor costs.

Self-service kiosks are great for those customers who want to be in and out of a store. There are shorter lines and less hassle. Or is there really less hassle? My experiences have been mixed. Sometimes the self-checkout system does not cooperate and that’s when things can become frustrating. Usually there will be one attendant watching over six machines. Consider yourself pretty lucky if the attendant is not helping out anyone else and can assist you right away.

Two weeks ago, I was at a grocery store picking up eight items. I started scanning items and then a glitch happened. I quickly started looking for the attendant who was helping another person. I had to wait maybe another 3-5 minutes as the attendant helped a first time self-service kiosk user. Retailers need to have adequate help for these self-checkout systems.

Will cashiers disappear by 2012?

There will always be cashiers. Self-service kiosks are great for quick service but cashiers can be a great opportunity to gain competitive advantage. Staff can provide extra customer service or promote and sell specials at the cash register.

U.K. supermarkets Tesco and Asda will cut the costs of thousands of everyday groceries in a move that threatens to start an all-out supermarket price war.

Grocery bills have sky rocketed in the past year and MySupermarket.co.uk claims that a typical family faces a £1,000 rise in the amount it spends in supermarkets over the coming year. 

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Internet grocer Peapod is teaming with marketing firm Concept Peapod to Offer Online Shoppers Personalized Discounts Internet grocer Peapod is teaming with marketing firm Concept Shopping Inc. to deliver pre-selected savings for all Peapod shoppers based on their needs, and preferences, saving time and money on each shopping trip.

“Progressive retailers like Peapod realize that shopper loyalty comes from understanding and working to support the unique needs and preferences of each shopper,” says Joe Battoe, Concept Shopping’s CEO. “Pre-selecting relevant offers that help shoppers save more is a great way to increase value and convenience for Peapod’s shoppers and demonstrate Peapod’s loyalty to its customers.”

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