Customer Experience

Uniqlo self-checkout counter for apparel wins WSJ kudos

Image: Adobe Stock.

December 18, 2023

Uniqlo, an apparel store that allows customers to check out purchases at a counter that uses radio frequency identification technology to process the transaction, was highlighted as "the self checkout even the haters will love" in an opinion piece by Wall Street Journal columnist Ben Cohen.

Cohen, who writes the Science of Success column for The Wall Street Journal, introduces the topic by stating that every so often a technology breakthrough emerges to make you "feel like you've teleported to the future: the iPOne, ChatGPT, self-driving cars."

Cohen then describes using the self-checkout counter at the Uniqlo outlet store on Fifth Avenue in New York City. The system directed him to place his clothing purchases in a box on the counter. The system then performed all the tasks, taking a total of 30 seconds.

Once the purchased items are placed on the self checkout counter, the system automatically displays billing information, prompting the customer to swipe a code and complete the transaction, according to an rfidcard.com blog about Uniqlo.

Uniqlo is one of a group of companies owned by Fast Retailing Co. Ltd., based in Yamaguchi, Japan and has four stores in New York City, according to the company website.