Groupe Casino’s convenience banner Franprix is testing a new payment method that is designed to slash queuing times, and provide more spacious points of sale by replacing traditional checkouts with portable employee-held scanners, LSA.fr reports.
Checkout staff use a light-weight, portable scanner that is connected to the store Wi-Fi, and worn like a ring around the fingers. On their person is also a portable bank-card processor.
The new IT system also accepts ticket restaurant vouchers (meal vouchers), encouraging urban consumers to purchase their lunch in Franprix supermarkets.
Since 31 March 2016, the system has undergone a trial phase in two Franprix supermarkets, though it will be operational in about 100 of its outlets by the close of 2016.
"The idea is to present our brand as one that is warm and welcoming," said Jean- Paul Mochet, Franprix’s managing director. "We want to be close to our consumers, in terms of proximity and otherwise."
"It is part of our concept of ‘Mandarine’, through which we have redesigned floor spaces, and created a more ambient, convenient customer experience. The new adaption fits in perfectly with this system, and the freed-up space will, in the future, be used for additional customer services."
Stéphane Tuot of Franprix’s development department added that "Everything is designed in a way to support the quick and convenient shopping."
© 2015 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Peter Donnelly. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
