Shorter
check-out times at Cold Storage with smart shopping
technologies
SINGAPORE: Supermarket chain Cold Storage has rolled out several
solutions to improve efficiency and raise productivity - including
self-checkout counters and an automated system that dispenses
change.
The self-checkout counters are the first in Singapore to accept
both cash and credit payment. It is estimated that these counters
will help shorten lines at traditional cashier counters and could
cut queueing time for customers by 20 to 30 per cent.
An automated cash management system can also help cashiers
improve efficiency when payment is made. The cash is inserted into
machines which calculate the change needed and automatically
dispenses it. This can help cashiers focus on scanning, packing and
up-selling grocery items.
At Cold Storage's Sime Darby outlet where these systems have
been rolled out, there are 36 employees, significantly less than
the usual 60 required at other Cold Storage outlets of a similar
size.
Mr Phillip Siew, 70, who was using one of the self-checkout
counters, said while these are convenient, seeing what is on the
screen could be a problem for older customers whose eyesight is
poor. He suggested having a magnifying sheet for elderly shoppers
who might have difficulty reading.
National Productivity Council chairman and Deputy Prime Minister
Tharman Shanmugaratnam visited Cold Storage at Sime Darby Centre on
Thursday (Oct 29) to take a look at its smart shopping
technologies.
He noted that while there is an initial investment in such
self-checkout systems, there will be savings in other areas, such
as fewer staff required. Customer and employee experiences will
also be enhanced, he said.
Mr Tharman noted that Singapore has been making steady progress
in improving productivity. Labour productivity, measured by Real
Value-added per Worker, grew at a compounded annual growth rate of
2.5 per cent between 2009 and 2014.
However, Mr Tharman added that there have been "two
disappointments". The first being that "a lot of advantages and
gains were frontloaded, and there has been very little progress
since while staying at a high level".
He also said while the export-oriented part of the economy has
had very good productivity growth, purely domestic sectors have had
slow productivity growth. Domestic sectors such as construction,
retail trade and food services have been struggling with the
tightening of manpower supply.
- CNA/dl
