Macrotrends Spark Need for 'C-Store of the Future'
C-stores are experiencing explosive growth in the wake of macro-trends. They are evolving into community hubs that cater to smaller-size households as well as into destinations for smaller, more frequent shopping trips. At the same time, consumers are becoming increasingly more demanding. These trends make it critical to implement technology initiatives aimed at giving consumers what they want. They also make it imperative to leverage digitation and automation to reduce friction at every touchpoint.
Not only are c-stores becoming community hubs; their role is changing from “fuel plus” to “plus fuel,” with non-fuel purchases accounting for a whopping 62% of profits. All this calls for an IT infrastructure that lets operators flexibly adapt to support new journeys, such as “top-up” shopping, within their existing technology ecosystem, while also catering to consumers’ changing needs and desires.
of consumers are more likely to visit a convenience store that has digital offerings than one that doesn’t, according to Mobiquity
of consumers queried by Capgemini Research Institute avoid stores that lack automated technology
Self-Checkout: The Secret Sauce for a Frictionless Experience and Big Business Benefits
Fixated on frictionless
A report from Technomic and Chute Gerdeman indicates that:
Introducing open, modular, readily available self-checkout options is the best way to leverage digitization—creating a frictionless experience that increases customer loyalty. In their new role of supporting quick, convenient “top-up” shopping trips and for food-to-go purchases, convenience stores can’t be without it.
of consumers believe self-checkout is a great solution for shortening checkout lines, according to the Capgemini Institute
of high-income urban professionals prefer a self-checkout option, according to Nielsen
of consumers are interested in self-service checkout and ordering, and 75% of those who use it appreciate the time savings it affords, according to the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS)
of consumers say the type of available payment options available at a store is critical to influences where they shop
Harnessing the Right Technology to Support the Transition to +Fuel and Power the C-Store of the Future
Big business benefits
Self-checkout results in fewer walkaways, bigger basket sizes, and 24/7 availability, leading to:
Operating and maintaining a “c-store of the future” that melds with trends and meets ever-changing and increasing customer demands means c-stores need self-checkout technology that:
Adopting an omnichannel model that supports online-to-offline (O2O) shopping journeys is part of convenience stores’ transition to “plus-fuel.” This requires checkout software that offers a centrally managed basket.
Available in different screen sizes
The Diebold Nixdorf Advantage
Diebold Nixdorf’s DN Series™ EASY self-checkout hardware offers c-stores a money-saving solution that allows them to adapt to macrotrends, give customers what they want, and increase the bottom line. With this option, c-stores can:
Improve revenues by 15% to 30% while reducing walkaways caused by long queues
Save customers time and offer them a choice of how to check out and pay for their purchases
Improve service levels by freeing up staff to assist customers where they need it
Increase customer retention and loyalty with flexible payment via cards, cash, and mobile devices
Adapt consumer journeys for today and tomorrow by using one single checkout platform with different modules – an industry-first
Integrate to the IT environment and leverage the ecosystem using open APIs, and with support for more than 75 POS applications
Ensure that the self-service process is “always on,” with a 99.8% availability contract, designed for 24/7 operation
Only DN Series™ EASY is powered by Intel vPro™ technology, setting it apart from other self-checkout systems on the market. Intel vPro brings to the table:
Ability to engage in smarter retailing that incorporates digital technology
Reduced costs and downtime
Enhanced out-of-band device management
Airtight hardware-based security
In short, Diebold Nixdorf—with the extra edge provided by Intel—is enabling c-store retailers to navigate changes such as the transition to +fuel and evolving customer demands, positioning them for consistent growth and yielding a sharp competitive edge.
How Digitization
and Automation Support C-Store Evolution
63%
59%
Learn More at DieboldNixdorf.com
Smart Moves
Savvy store operators already recognize the importance of automation and digitization and are adding to their technology toolboxes.
84%
66%
65%
50%
Dial “D” for digital
In fact, c-store retailers need to build a “c-store of the future” by embarking on a digitization course. The objective: to decrease friction and increase speed and customer convenience while simultaneously driving costs down. It’s the new normal.
No digital, no deal
Consumer demand supports the case for digitization.
See It In Action
Software must be channel and touchpoint agnostic to accommodate future store transitions. Software that’s built on an open API platform can work with existing (legacy) technology. It can also operate seamlessly with new in-store solutions, like kiosks and self-checkout hardware.
Openness is also an important element of self-checkout hardware because it typically must integrate with other hardware, such as cameras, scales, and payment devices.
Supports omnichannel retailing
Is open and agnostic
Provides leeway for integration
How Digitization
and Automation Support C-Store Evolution
Speeding it up
COVID-19 led 33% of respondents to the same survey to accelerate ongoing contactless and other digital technology implementation projects and induced 22% of respondents to introduce or expand these options.
Kiosks gain ground
Nearly one-third (31.8%) of respondents to Convenience Store News’ Technology Survey 2020 have already added
self-service kiosks to promote a frictionless customer experience, and 18.2% plan to do
so this year.
‘Stoked’ for self-service
Consumers are indeed ready for self-checkout. Shorter queues and a fast, efficient checkout process is always important, but especially so when it comes to short shopping trips and food that’s purchased for immediate consumption.
crave a frictionless store experience. For many, it’s as important as inside seating, free Wi-Fi, and fresh food offerings.
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of all consumers
of millennial consumers
of GenZ consumers
62%
68%
57%
Offers maximum modularity and robustness
Flexibility to select components that best suit individual operations’ needs and requirements make modular self-checkout systems the best choice for convenience stores. These systems can be:
of consumers prefer shopping in stores with robust checkout, according to Bloomberg.
Mounted on a pedestal or attached to a wall
Feature a cash and/or card module
Configured with or without a scale
Comes with round-the-clock availability
87%
Robustness is important too
is essential to maximize customer convenience and minimize operating headaches.
24/7/365
support
Self-checkout also keeps consumers coming back to
c-stores, again boosting the bottom line. And with 25% of returning customers accounting for 70% of a typical c-store’s revenues, leveraging self-checkout to cultivate consumer loyalty is key.
Additionally, self-checkout heightens c-store efficiencies by making payments faster, reducing or eliminating wait times at the point of sale (POS), and freeing up employees to assist customers with non-payment needs or handle other tasks, such as merchandise put-away.
Increased consumer spending on food orders—up to
Increased market share—
1% 3%
30%
according to PYMNTS.com
to
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