News

Metro Group first retailer in Germany with self-checkout

May 13, 2003

RHEINBERG, Germany -- Metro Group has become the first retailer in Germany to offer its customers the option to scan, bag and pay for their own purchases using self-checkout from NCR Corp., according to a news release.

NCR FastLane self-checkout and RealPrice electronic shelf labels (ESLs) are featured in the retailer's pilot "Extra Future Store."

"The Extra Future Store is testing the technologies that will dominate the retail sector of the future," said Gerd Wolfram, Future Store project manager for Metro Group. "FastLane self-checkout and RealPrice ESLs form a core element of our concept store. Both deliver greater service and choice to shoppers and will help us operate more cost effectively."

NCR self-checkout systems have now been deployed in eight countries, the release said. Metro shoppers can use FastLane to check out any item offered in the store, and can pay for their purchases with cash or debit/credit card.

The Extra Future Store is equipped with 40,000 NCR RealPrice ESLs, which eliminate the manual task of replacing paper labels, and assure shoppers that the price on the shelf will match the price paid at checkout. 

The wireless ESL product includes a remote button activator that lets Metro employees view inventory and other information about products on the shelf.

"The Extra Future Store in Rheinberg will make a significant impact on the retail market in Germany and the rest of Europe," said Alberto Camuri, vice president, NCR Retail Solutions Division for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. "Groundbreaking technologies are delivering quantifiable improvements to the shopping experience."