News

FastLane checkouts unveiled Down Under

December 2, 2002

SYDNEY, Australia -- NCR Corp. will introduce its FastLane self-checkout lanes to consumers in Australia early next year. Two Big W stores in New South Wales will install eight of the units.

According to an NCR press release, the Big W stores in the Warringah and Pagewood malls will pilot four of the self-checkout units and one attendant station in each store so customers can scan, bag and purchase their own items.

The units, which are used by more than 40 retailers worldwide, were demonstrated for the first time in Australia in late August at the three-day Retail Business Technology 2002 Exhibition in Melbourne.

The 12-month pilot program is similar to NCR's self-check trials by Publix Super Markets Inc., which installed the lanes in five U.S. stores, and United Kingdom-based Marks and Spencers.

According to the release, NCR FastLane vice president and general manager Mike Webster is confident the pilot will be a success and will be rapidly accepted by consumers.

BIG W is a discount department retailer with 103 outlets throughout Australia.

BIG W general manager Marty Hamnett said in the release that the chain is always looking for new ways to improve its customer service and sees the addition of the lanes as complementary to its objectives.