How can customer experience, efficiency, and digitalization be intelligently combined at the checkout? A new pilot project by Georg Jos provides answers to these questions. Kaes GmbH in one of its V-Markt branches in Munich, where Wanzl, together with DRS and shopreme, is responsible for the technological and conceptual redesign of the checkout area. The focus is on integrating several self-checkout systems – including the intelligent FastLaner® shopping cart from Wanzl, now in live operation for the first time.
A pilot project serving as a role model
Spanning an area of approximately 182,986.5 square feet (17,000 square meters), the V-Markt in the Euro-Industriepark in northern Munich combines food, non-food and an adjacent DIY and hardware store. Until now, checkouts were operated exclusively by 25 cash registers with conveyors. As part of the pilot project, the checkout area is now being completely redesigned. Customers can access all stationary and mobile self-checkout options from February to April, from handheld scanners to the FastLaner® and the self-checkout zone with the Genesis checkout table and Smart Exit technology from Wanzl. The pilot store in Munich serves as a real-world test environment. It is intended to demonstrate customer preferences for self-checkout variants, differences in theft rates, length of stay and sales distribution, and influence of retail media on purchasing behavior. "This project is an important milestone for us on our path to the digital checkout zone of the future. The aim is to implement a stable and smoothly functioning solution together with our partners, ensuring all systems can be networked and tested with a customer-centric approach," says Dominik Endres, Head of IT at Georg Jos. Kaes GmbH.
Technological interaction
The concept was developed jointly by Wanzl, DRS, and shopreme in close coordination with Georg Jos. Kaes GmbH develops. In addition to the central software platform, the checkout software manufacturer for V-Markt branches, DRS, also provides the front-end solution – the user interface – for the Genesis self-checkout terminals from Wanzl. "The drs//POS checkout system enables all new customer services without the need to adapt the central systems of Kaes. The existing mechanisms for the classic cash register are simply being reused," says Uli Schäfer, Board of Management of DRS AG. The front-end for mobile devices comes from shopreme. "We are delighted that we have now been able to expand the shopreme ecosystem with the FastLaner® from Wanzl. In combination with the resulting standard integration with DRS, this enables a seamless and modern customer experience within the stores," adds Nico Müller, Chief Commercial Officer at shopreme GmbH.
Wanzl delivers the hardware and handles planning and installation on site at the store. 16 FastLaner® and 90 handheld scanners from Zebra are used as mobile SCO solutions. For the FastLaner®, Wanzl also provides the platform supporting integration with software solutions from shopreme and DRS. In the checkout area, seven Wanzl Genesis tables and a Colour Gate ensure smooth self-checkout without waiting time thanks to Smart Exit. The system's software is provided by Wanzl. Fully automated, this system manages the independent checkout process and allows customers to safely exit the store without a receipt. As part of the pilot project, Wanzl is also coordinating market research to systematically evaluate data and experience and to gain sound insights for future steps.
