Carrefour, operated by Majid Al Futtaim in Kenya, has launched self-checkout services at its Village Market store in Nairobi. This marks the second Carrefour location to offer self-checkout after a successful pilot at Westgate Shopping Mall last year.
The move aims to enhance customers’ shopping experiences through reduced waiting times and increased efficiency.
How Does Self-Checkout Work?
Self-checkout allows shoppers to scan and pay for their items without going through a cashier. The Village Market Carrefour store has several self-checkout counters with scanners, scales, and touchscreen payment terminals.
To use self-checkout, shoppers scan the barcodes on their items. The machine identifies each item and shows the price on the screen. Shoppers can view a running total to track their purchases.
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Then they select their payment option on the touchscreen – whether card, mobile money, or cash. After paying, an e-receipt is issued. Staff are on hand to provide assistance if needed.
Key Benefits for Customers
Self-checkout offers several perks for Carrefour shoppers, including:
- Faster checkout: Skip cashier lines and queues to save time
- Convenience: Check out items quickly with easy-to-use scanners
- Control over scanning pace and bagging
- Ideal for smaller shops with just a few items
The service has proven enormously popular so far. Since launching last March, Carrefour has seen a 59% rise in customer satisfaction from reduced waiting times.
Expansion Across More Stores
Given the success, Carrefour now plans to roll out more self-checkout counters across its stores in Kenya. Regional Director for East Africa Christophe Orcet said it was a “significant milestone” that led to more efficient shopping.
“The launch of the self-checkout service last year was a significant milestone for our business. We have seen our customers enjoy reduced waiting time at the checkout counters, resulting in a more efficient shopping experience. Today, as we expand the service to our second store, we look forward to providing our customers with enhanced convenience,” Orcet stated.
The retailer operates 22 stores in Kenya currently – 17 in Nairobi, 2 in Kisumu, and 3 in Mombasa. Self-checkout will enhance convenience for the large customer base across these locations.
Orcet said Carrefour is committed to “consistent innovation” and tailoring the shopping experience to match consumer demand. The self-checkout launch aligns with the brand’s reputation for investing in new technology.
For instance, Carrefour was the first to unveil a digital loyalty program in Kenya to improve customer satisfaction. The self-checkout service takes this even further for faster, seamless shopping trips.
