NCR SelfServTM hardware and software reduces
checkout waiting times at BILLA while processing all of the stores’
discounts and loyalty programs
AUGSBURG, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 7, 2015--
NCR
Corporation (NYSE: NCR), the global leader in consumer transaction
technologies, announced today that food retailer BILLA
is the latest Austrian supermarket to deploy NCR FastLane SelfServ
Checkout hardware and software. Following the positive experience of its
sister company MERKUR, BILLA is also offering customers the opportunity
to check out at their own pace. The first stores to use the new
technology are located in Singer Street in Vienna and in Stiftingtal
Street in Graz. There are plans for deployment in additional
supermarkets in the coming months.
BILLA is part of the REWE
Group, one of the largest food retailers in Europe. As a pioneer in
the Austrian market, BILLA has been providing shoppers across the
country with fresh food and everyday products for 60 years. The
supermarket chain is constantly reviewing its portfolio and service
offerings to meet changing customer demand. Its BILLA Advantage Club
offers a broad range of discounts and benefits to those customers who
are members.
NCR has developed the self-checkout software that BILLA is deploying to
manage these discounts and integrate coupon payments, in addition to
cash and card payments. BILLA Advantage Club discounts can be processed
at all check outs so that Billa’s staff and temporary workers don’t have
to spend as much time familiarizing themselves with BILLA’s
ever-changing promotional terms and conditions.
Using NCR self-checkouts, BILLA aims to increase the efficiency in its
high volume stores, such as the location in central Vienna. Due to the
store’s location near Vienna’s landmark St. Stephan’s Cathedral, the
store attracts many tourists. To reduce waiting times, BILLA installed
five self-checkouts in August to augment the existing three
cashier-manned checkouts.
“By deploying NCR self-checkouts, we wanted to introduce an additional
service offering and value for our customers,” said BILLA CEO Volker
Hornsteiner. “As many tourists are already familiar with the technology
from their home countries, we experienced a high usage rate right from
the beginning. We expect Austrian shoppers to continue that trend as
they become more comfortable with the technology and experience the
benefits.”
A BILLA supermarket in the second largest Austrian city, Graz, has also
deployed NCR self-checkouts. The store on Stiftingtal Street is located
in the building complex of a regional hospital and attracts medical
staff, patients and visitors that often have only a few items in their
baskets.
“Allowing customers to familiarize themselves with the self-checkout
technology at their own pace is part of the strategy that we developed
with BILLA,” said Stefan Clemens, Area Sales Leader for Germany, Austria
and Switzerland. “Introducing new checkouts to complement existing
traditional checkouts sends a clear message to customers that service
levels are increasing and there are more choices.”
NCR supported the introduction of self-checkout technology at BILLA with
comprehensive advice, dedicated training sessions for employees, and
services that complement the deployed NCR self-checkouts. One of the key
metrics of successful implementations is the reduction of queues.
Examples of other installations have shown that NCR SelfServ technology
can reduce waiting times by about 40 percent during peak hours.
Furthermore it improves customer satisfaction as retail employees have
more time to serve customers in the aisles.
About NCR Corporation
NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) is the global leader in consumer transaction
technologies, turning everyday interactions with businesses into
exceptional experiences. With its software, hardware, and portfolio of
services, NCR enables more than 550 million transactions daily across
retail, financial, travel, hospitality, telecom and technology, and
small business. NCR solutions run the everyday transactions that make
your life easier.
NCR is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia with over 30,000 employees and
does business in 180 countries. NCR is a trademark of NCR Corporation in
the United States and other countries.
Web site: www.ncr.com
Twitter: @NCR_Retail,
@NCRCorporation
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View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151007005805/en/
Source: NCR Corporation
NCR Public Relations
Ortrud Wenzel, +49 821 405 8191
ortrud.wenzel@ncr.com