Big Kmart in Hyde Park Shopping Center, Allegheny Township, is the first store in the Valley to have self-checkout lanes and is among a growing number of retail stores to add the new scanners to their lanes.
Kmart shopping centers in Butler, Latrobe, Moon and Uniontown already have installed the self-checkout scanners.
The New Kensington Kmart is expected to have them this week.
Giant Eagle also is introduced self-scanning to its stores, including Bethel Park, West View, Wexford and Cranberry. Giant Eagle's system, provided by Productivity Solutions is similar to Kmart's, but features a conveyer belt.
Cash, check or ATM debit cards can be used for purchases. There is the familiar machine to swipe a credit or debit card, as well as slots to insert dollars and coins, similar to a vending machine. Change is given.
Customers also can get cash back from their credit/debit card. Coupons can be inserted into the machine. Store employees are needed to complete transactions made by check.
'The scanners have never made a mistake,' said Jerry Zvonkovich, manager of the Big Kmart in Hyde Park Shopping Center. 'It's very accurate giving out change.'
The self-scanners automatically ring in sales and clearance items.
'We want to give the customer as many choices as possible. They won't be used to replace cashiers, but in addition to them,' said Laura Karet of Productivity Solutions Inc.
Employees are available to walk customers through the self-scanning process and help with any problems.
'I'm glad to work for Kmart,' said Madeline Dobrowolski, another manager at the Allegheny Township store. 'They've gone forward in technology, and we've heard a lot of positive comments about it. It's exciting to be in front of technology.'
'Once customers use it the first time, no one really needs to relearn how to do it again. We want to get people in the area educated,' Zvonkovich said.'
'It's been well received by people who try it. A very small percentage of people resist at first, since it's something new or they think they can't pay cash. But once they try it, we can usually win them over, Zvonkovich said.
'The typical reaction is people are excited to use them. I've seen customers come back and go through the line two or three times. Kids in general seem to love them. Some grab all the merchandise, scan it for their parents and have a blast,' he said.
NCR Corp. is the company in charge of the Kmart scanners.
Self-scanners take off
Robert Kramer, spokesman for NCR, said the self-scanners were started in late 1998, but the market took a little while to take off. It took off this year.
Several security measures have been taken. The computer is programmed to know how much each item weighs. The bagging section of the counter is equipped with a scale to weigh each item, ensuring that each is accounted for.
If an item isn't placed on the scale, an automated voice will ask that the customer place it on the scale. The computer will let the customer know if an unscanned object, such as a purse or wallet, is placed on the scale.
The employees can view the process from a remote approval station that supervises which merchandise is scanned and where it's placed. If there is confusion over items that don't fit into a bag or whether an item was scanned correctly, for example, an employee should be able to figure out what happened.
Security cameras monitor the process.
When a customer scans an item from what Kmart calls an age-restricted category, such as cigarettes, certain video games or certain medication, an employee is notified and verifies that the customer is the appropriate age to purchase.
'Paper food stamps can be used, but they need to be used at alternate stations in the store, not at the scanner,' said Jennifer Nugent, NCR's marketing manager for self-checkout.
Customer reactions vary. Some embrace the new technology, while others are hesitant or dislike it.
'My concern is, is it replacing someone's job,' customer Christine Perona said. 'On the other hand, it's faster, so it has pros and cons. I think it's too new to really decide.'
Not taking people's jobs
'The company plans to relocate cashiers to the sales floor,' Zvonkovich said. 'A lot of people say they're worried about the cashier jobs, but the new scanners aren't intended to take jobs.'
There are still cashier-staffed checkout scanners in use, and employees will also be needed to troubleshoot any problems with the self-checkout scanners, in addition to help in the rest of the store.
'Losing jobs isn't a concern,' Dobrowolski said. 'This frees people to help customers on the sales floor, who are our main concern. You always need people to help customers find something or get something off the shelves.'
Tina Horne, group manager of marketing communication at Productivity Solutions Inc., said, 'From Giant Eagles' perspective, the industry has a labor shortage anyway. There are no layoffs planned.'
Customer Maryann Greenlee said, 'I think it's great. It saves from standing in line and it's easy enough for an 8-year-old to use.'
Greenlee gestured to her daughter Jenny who helped her scan their purchases.
'Initially I didn't like them, but you're going to get used to it,' said customer Dennis Delaney.
'I like them. They're very easy to use,' said Kmart employee Becky Rumbaugh who helps supervise the self-checkout. 'I'm keeping pretty busy.'
'Personally, I'm a big supporter of them,' Zvonkovich said. 'I've been reading about them for a few years in trade magazines, and I never imagined that we'd be one of the first to have them. We're happy to show anyone how to use them.'
