For the past 5 years, Kroger has been testing its self-checkout technology and it appears that the company is now ready to take its self-checkout tech to the next level. With increased competition from giants like Amazon and Walmart, Kroger is expanding its Scan, Bag, and Go self-checkout technology from a handful of stores in the Cincinnati area to more than 400 stores in 2018.
The self-checkout approach that Kroger is aiming for is similar to how Walmart does things: you can your items as you add them to your cart throughout the store, and then you can check out through the self-checkout terminal once you’ve paid through your goods.
Right now, it’s not certain which specific stores will be receiving this tech, but Kroger is expected to make an announcement early 2018 that will provide further information. It’s not surprise that Kroger is now interested in expanding its self-checkout tech. The company has been testing everything in a limited fashion for years and with increased competition, especially since Amazon purchased Whole Foods, it’s making things that much tougher for Kroger. If established chains aren’t able to make checkout easy, then customers will go to others that are able to, like Amazon and Whole Foods.
