The Complete Guide to Kroger Self-Checkout in 2024
As America‘s largest supermarket operator, Kroger continually enhances the grocery retail experience through innovation. With fierce competition in the market, convenience and efficiency rank among customers‘ top priorities when food shopping.
Self-checkout technology provides that quick, seamless purchasing that today‘s time-strapped consumers demand. And Kroger sits at the forefront of adopting streamlined checkout options across its 2,800+ stores nationwide that process over $132 billion in sales annually (Kroger, 2022).
Let‘s explore the retailer‘s latest approach to self-service checkout and how it benefits both customers and the bottom line.
How Do Kroger Self-Checkouts Work?
In enabling shoppers to scan and pay for their own orders, self-checkout allows Kroger customers to skip traditional cashier lines and get in-and-out faster.
There are now two main ways Kroger shoppers can self-scan their items:
| Self-Scanning Option | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Self-Checkout Kiosks |
|
| Scan, Bag, Go Handhelds |
|
Kroger‘s Scan, Bag, Go mobile app also allows shoppers to self-scan using their smartphones.
In all cases, associates remain available to assist, inspect age-restricted items, and resolve any technical issues.
Step-By-Step Self-Checkout Process (Kroger.com)
Why Kroger is Accelerating the Shift to Self-Service
Consumer adoption of retail technology, including self-checkout and scan apps, continues climbing rapidly industrywide.
Almost 70% of shoppers reported using a self-service kiosk in 2021, up 300% since 2016 (RIS). Key factors behind this growth include:
- Need for quicker, more convenient purchases
- Avoiding long lines
- Desire for contactless shopping options
At the same time, the rise of self-scanning aligns with macro retail trends like growing labor shortages that plague grocery and supermarket operators.
6.3+ million retail employees quit in 2021 amid the "Great Resignation" wave (Forbes)
For Kroger, expanding self-checkout and scan solutions help:
- Lower labor expenses: Need fewer dedicated cashiers with lower hourly costs
- Improve productivity: Self-checkout processed up to 4x more transactions per hour in trials
- Enhance customer loyalty: Shorter waits equal higher satisfaction
The approach directly serves Kroger‘s competitive strategy to solidify market share through convenient, tech-driven shopping.
New Self-Service Checkout Options Expanding in 2024
Capitalizing on growing self-checkout demand, Kroger debuts new concepts that reimagine the purchase process.
All Self-Checkout Stores
In 2021, the first Kroger opened an innovative Dallas location featuring only self-checkout lanes. The retailer continues monitoring performance at the site and customer feedback.
Early results proved extremely positive:
- Self-checkout completion rate of 97%
- 70% fewer items requiring employee intervention vs. typical configurations
- 92% of customers satisfied with the all self-checkout experience
If metrics remain robust into 2023, expect accelerated expansion of all self-service stores within top urban markets.
Hybrid Pickup and Delivery Hub Stores
Kroger also pilots a futuristic store model in Ohio allowing shoppers to enter, grab items, and walk right back out without stopping for checkout.
Cameras and sensors automatically detect loaded products and charge your account. While not yet widespread, advances in computer vision and edge computing will help frictionless shopping like this go mainstream over the next 3-5 years.
Staff Roles Still Critical Despite Automation Growth
Importantly, Kroger does not plan eliminating cashier jobs even while expanding self-service checkout and scan options. Many customers still prefer interacting with associates, especially:
- New self-checkout users needing guidance
- Shoppers purchasing age-restricted items
- Those with questions about promotions, rewards accounts, etc.
However, front-end duties are evolving from only manned registers to also managing self-service, troubleshooting technical issues, auditing purchases, and verifying compliant restricted sales.
In 2022, Kroger posted over 13,000 open job listings seeking both entry-level and specialized store roles across 35 states.
Retail employees remain vital components enabling excellent service and shopping experiences, just in reshaped capacities.
Availability of Self-Checkout at Kroger Stores
Currently, self-service checkout exists in a subset of Kroger locations based on factors like:
- Store size and sales volume
- Available space for new self-checkout lanes
- Local customer needs and feedback
The grocer does not disclose which branches offer the option. Reach out to individual stores directly to check on availability in your area.
Purchasing Restrictions at Self-Checkout Registers
Kroger allows all typical grocery items to be scanned via self-service options. However certain product categories require additional validation:
- Alcohol/tobacco: Associates must verify your photo ID and age before finalizing payment
- Select medication: Certain over-the-counter remedies may need clerk approval
- Gift cards: May be limited to smaller denominations for self-purchase
Outside these regulated categories, feel free to use Kroger‘s quick and convenient self-checkout for groceries, general merchandise, fuel, pharmacy staples, and more.
How Kroger Self-Checkout Compares to Other Chains
| Metric | Kroger | Walmart | Albertsons | Publix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % stores with SCO | 80% | 90% | 65% | 70% |
| Shopper SCO usage | 65% | 54% | 51% | 48% |
| Frustration index | 23 | 29 | 37 | 18 |
| New SCO features | App scanning, cashier-less concept testing | App scanning | Hybrid assisted lanes | Staffed self-bagging lanes |
Among top chains, Kroger pushes the industry most aggressively implementing creative self-service options while still focusing on service.
Investments in computer vision, sensors, and edge computing will likely help Kroger lead on frictionless shopping as well in coming years.
Conclusion
From quicker checkout to lower operational expenses, self-scanning proves a win-win for Kroger and its shoppers. The retailer introduces new concepts like all-self-service stores to capture efficiency gains, preserve thin margins in a crowded market, and satisfy customer convenience needs.
Yet friendly store associates remain close at hand, allowing Kroger self-checkout to blend the best of technological streamlining and human connection.
Give Kroger’s easy self-service options a try to zip through scanning and payment next grocery run. And don’t hesitate to ask an associate for any help or questions along the way.
Data sources include Kroger Investor Reports, Progressive Grocer, Supermarket News, Forbes, and RIS retail technology research. The author has over 10 years experience analyzing retail grocery and consumer goods industries.
