A new consumer survey conducted by Fusion, a leading business-to-business marketing agency for fresh food, has highlighted the significant role of self-checkout in today's retail environment and its direct impact on fresh produce sales. The findings present a mixed picture of consumer satisfaction and frustration, pointing to areas where retailers can enhance the shopping experience to boost sales and customer loyalty.
According to the survey, an overwhelming majority of consumers, over three-quarters, frequently use self-checkout, with 90% reporting satisfaction. The appeal of self-checkout lies in its perceived benefits of privacy and speed, with many shoppers preferring the discretion it offers and one in five viewing it as a quicker alternative to traditional checkout lines.
However, the survey also uncovers notable challenges, especially when it comes to scanning produce. Nearly 60% of respondents encountered difficulties with packaged produce, and more than two-thirds struggled with bulk items. These issues often stem from problems with barcodes or the complexity of manually entering codes, leading to frustration and, in some cases, abandoned purchases. Alarmingly, 57% of shoppers have left produce behind due to confusion or lack of clear instructions at the self-checkout.
The survey suggests several improvements to mitigate these challenges. Enhanced on-screen instructions and audio prompts were among the top recommendations, with 14% of respondents specifically mentioning these features. Additionally, allowing customers to continue scanning despite issues could reduce interruptions, making the process smoother for both shoppers and attendants.
For retailers and produce companies, these insights are invaluable for adapting to the self-service trend and meeting consumer expectations. By addressing the pain points associated with produce scanning and focusing on user-friendly interfaces, businesses can enhance efficiency, increase sales, and improve customer satisfaction. As the retail landscape continues to evolve, those who invest in optimizing self-checkout systems will likely see a competitive advantage.
For further details on the survey findings, visit https://gowithfusion.com.
