News

NCR helps Brits bag it themselves

September 11, 2002

LONDON -- UK retailer Marks & Spencer will utilize self-service checkout technology developed by NCR Corp. (NYSE:NCR) in a three-store test that will begin this fall, the company announced on Sept. 12.

Marks & Spencer's SCOT (Self Checkout Till) program will run 12 weeks at stores in Gateshead, Oxford, and Uxbridge. The retailer will utilize NCR's FastLane checkout systems, which allow customers to scan and bag their purchases, paying for them either with cash or a debit/credit card.

Barry Stevenson, Marks & Spencer director of UK retail stores, said the self-checkout lanes would expand customer choice while freeing up staff to perform other customer-service functions.

"We are constantly looking at innovative technology to improve the customer offering, both proactively and in response to customer requests," Stevenson said in a news release.

Based in London, Marks & Spencer has 312 stores in the UK selling clothes, toys, other retail items, and groceries.

Marks & Spencer is the second grocer in recent weeks to announce the deployment of NCR FastLane checkout services. In late August, Southeast U.S. retailer Ukrop's announced that it would expand its service from two to seven stores in the Richmond, Va., area. (See story: NCR lands self-service checkout deal)