Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Show
Experts share self-checkout challenges, advancements at upcoming Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Show
The evolution of the self-checkout technology is the focus of a panel talk at the upcoming Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Show taking place in December.
October 13, 2025 by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com
Self-checkout kiosks are everywhere – the pharmacy, supermarket, police departments seeking info on cold cases, the U.S. Postal service, health care offices, motor vehicle offices and even at zoos.
The self-checkout kiosk footprint has come a long way since the very first appeared in a Kroger supermarket near Atlanta, Georgia in 1986.
Global installations are predicted to hit 2 million by 2029, according to a RBR Data Services report.
Yet despite proliferation and prediction of global growth, self-checkout technology is still viewed as being in an 'infancy' stage, according to Jeremy Cauble, director of strategic innovation at Canteen North America, and Ray Friedrich, chief strategy officer at East Street Business Advisors.
Cauble and Friedrich, along with Roberto De Angelis, chief experience officer at Brix Holdings, are participating in a panel talk, "The Evolving Checkout: Kiosk Innovations in Customer Engagement and Self-Service," at the upcoming Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Show, being held December 10-12 in Tampa, Florida.
The Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Show is owned by Networld Media Group, publishers of Kioskmarketplace and Vending Times. The company's next event is the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit which will take place March 16-18, 2026 in San Diego, California.
Where self-checkout stands today
"I would say self-checkout is in the early maturing stage," said Cauble in an email interview. In his role at Canteen North America Cauble has been exploring innovation in unattended retail for 15 years.
Friedrich, an entrepreneurial leader with 35 years executive experience in the food and beverage industry, agrees with Cauble's industry assessment.
"Deployment of self-check since 2007 has increased significantly. However, in the big picture I agree with Jeremy, it is in its infancy," he said in an email interview. Friedrich works with CEOs and business owners to define and execute high-level strategic initiatives.
Challenges in play
When it comes to challenges facing self-checkout innovations and adoption there are a few that stand out, according to Cauble and Friedrich.
"The biggest hurdles for adoption are inconsistency of user experience and the limitations of personal customization," said Cauble.
But those challenges will be hurdled in the next decade.
"In 10 years, I believe most customers will prefer self-checkout and be comfortable with the technology, and the technology itself will be much more automated and intuitive to fill the current gaps in capability," he added.
The 'challenge' list for Friedrich includes the aspect of theft as well as customer experience.
Growth factors, however, are a longer list, according to Friedrich.
"Growth drivers include the cost of labor, the desire for opening more cost efficient points of sale, customer demand for speed and convenience and omnichannel integration to name a few," said Friedrich.
He, like Cauble, expects mass adoption across all channels and industries in 10 years.
"The kiosk will behave and interact in much the same way humans do now," he said.
Learn more about self-checkout trends and innovations by attending the Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Show.
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About Judy Mottl
