Are Coles' new 'hybrid' checkouts the way of the future?
- Replies 43
Hold on to your shopping carts, folks, because technology has struck again! Just when we thought we had seen it all, a Coles supermarket in Mount Gravatt, Queensland, has introduced a new invention that has raised eyebrows and sparked a heated debate among Australian shoppers.
Say goodbye to traditional checkouts and hello to 'hybrid self-assisted' registers!
Now, you might be thinking, 'How can a self-assisted checkout be hybrid?' Well, let us tell you. These cutting-edge registers come equipped with conveyor belts, but there are no staff present to scan your items.
That's right – customers have to scan their own groceries. But don't worry; Coles hasn't completely eliminated the human touch. Employees are still available to step in if needed.
It's not the first time Coles has experimented with this concept. A supermarket in Melbourne tried it out last year, and it certainly got people talking.
But whether you're for or against these self-assisted checkouts, one thing is for sure – technology continues to evolve and reshape our world, sometimes challenging our notions of the human interaction we all grew up with.
But this move by Coles has not been without controversy. Many shoppers and local customers have expressed concerns about the potential reduction in the need for supermarket employees.
It's a topic that has stirred up strong emotions and ignited a debate about the balance between technology and human interaction in our everyday lives.
Not everyone is jumping on the bandwagon of this new technology. Just ask Lara, a shopper from Brisbane, who recently posted a photo on Twitter showing a Coles supermarket that is 'completely self-service only'.
She expressed her concern, fearing that this could be the first of many stores to adopt this approach.
'I was told that Coles has done the research. Apparently, we all asked for this,' she sarcastically wrote in a tweet. 'It is the first store in QLD, and in the future, all stores will be the same. The staff found my disgust amusing.'
And Lara isn't the only one who's sceptical. Clinton Maynard from 2GB's Weekend Today called the move 'ridiculous', highlighting that many people are not open to embracing new technology like this.
'We still need those staff for people who need to go to a checkout,' he pointed out, echoing the concerns of many others who value the human touch in their shopping experience.
Nationals leader David Littleproud chimed in, noting that the new technology may not be ideal for elderly customers. 'Those older people need people. It is about the human contact and the services they get,' he emphasised.
The debate around self-serve checkouts shows no signs of slowing down, with opinions continuing to be divided. In a previous article, members of the SDC community shared their thoughts on the matter, highlighting concerns about accessibility, efficiency, and job losses.
Member @Suemac pointed out the need for one-on-one service, particularly for people with disabilities who may struggle with the self-serve option. Meanwhile, member @Marj53 shared her experience of long lines of people waiting for self-serve checkouts, which were no quicker than traditional checkouts, even during peak hours.
Member @Cheezil emphasised the importance of keeping jobs and argued that self-serve checkouts would take longer for customers to scan their groceries than for a checkout operator to do it.
And member @Lesleymorris58 summed it up by stating her preference for human service, saying that customers don't work at the supermarket and don't get paid for ringing up their own groceries. 'We don't even get a discount!' she added.
On the other hand, some members of the SDC community have expressed their support for self-serve checkouts, highlighting their convenience and efficiency.
Member @Suzanne rose shared that she finds self-serve checkouts to be quick and easy to use. She argued that if it weren't for self-serve, the lines would be much longer, leading to complaints about wait times. She also pointed out that most people want to get in and out quickly and are happy to use self-serve to do so.
Member @Michael Kaff also expressed support for self-serve checkouts but noted that they are not always practical for a large shop. For a few items, however, he finds them convenient and efficient.
It's clear that opinions on self-serve checkouts are varied and often dependent on personal preferences and circumstances. While some find them to be a convenient and speedy option, others prefer the human touch and worry about the impact on jobs and accessibility.
Ultimately, the key is to strike a balance that works for everyone involved.
What do you think, members? Is this new system a convenience or an inconvenience? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Say goodbye to traditional checkouts and hello to 'hybrid self-assisted' registers!
Now, you might be thinking, 'How can a self-assisted checkout be hybrid?' Well, let us tell you. These cutting-edge registers come equipped with conveyor belts, but there are no staff present to scan your items.
That's right – customers have to scan their own groceries. But don't worry; Coles hasn't completely eliminated the human touch. Employees are still available to step in if needed.
A Coles store in Queensland has introduced 'hybrid self-assisted' registers, causing outrage among some shoppers. Pictured above is a similar store in Fairfield, Queensland. Credit: Facebook.
It's not the first time Coles has experimented with this concept. A supermarket in Melbourne tried it out last year, and it certainly got people talking.
But whether you're for or against these self-assisted checkouts, one thing is for sure – technology continues to evolve and reshape our world, sometimes challenging our notions of the human interaction we all grew up with.
But this move by Coles has not been without controversy. Many shoppers and local customers have expressed concerns about the potential reduction in the need for supermarket employees.
It's a topic that has stirred up strong emotions and ignited a debate about the balance between technology and human interaction in our everyday lives.
Not everyone is jumping on the bandwagon of this new technology. Just ask Lara, a shopper from Brisbane, who recently posted a photo on Twitter showing a Coles supermarket that is 'completely self-service only'.
She expressed her concern, fearing that this could be the first of many stores to adopt this approach.
'I was told that Coles has done the research. Apparently, we all asked for this,' she sarcastically wrote in a tweet. 'It is the first store in QLD, and in the future, all stores will be the same. The staff found my disgust amusing.'
And Lara isn't the only one who's sceptical. Clinton Maynard from 2GB's Weekend Today called the move 'ridiculous', highlighting that many people are not open to embracing new technology like this.
'We still need those staff for people who need to go to a checkout,' he pointed out, echoing the concerns of many others who value the human touch in their shopping experience.
Nationals leader David Littleproud chimed in, noting that the new technology may not be ideal for elderly customers. 'Those older people need people. It is about the human contact and the services they get,' he emphasised.
The debate around self-serve checkouts shows no signs of slowing down, with opinions continuing to be divided. In a previous article, members of the SDC community shared their thoughts on the matter, highlighting concerns about accessibility, efficiency, and job losses.
Member @Suemac pointed out the need for one-on-one service, particularly for people with disabilities who may struggle with the self-serve option. Meanwhile, member @Marj53 shared her experience of long lines of people waiting for self-serve checkouts, which were no quicker than traditional checkouts, even during peak hours.
Member @Cheezil emphasised the importance of keeping jobs and argued that self-serve checkouts would take longer for customers to scan their groceries than for a checkout operator to do it.
And member @Lesleymorris58 summed it up by stating her preference for human service, saying that customers don't work at the supermarket and don't get paid for ringing up their own groceries. 'We don't even get a discount!' she added.
On the other hand, some members of the SDC community have expressed their support for self-serve checkouts, highlighting their convenience and efficiency.
Member @Suzanne rose shared that she finds self-serve checkouts to be quick and easy to use. She argued that if it weren't for self-serve, the lines would be much longer, leading to complaints about wait times. She also pointed out that most people want to get in and out quickly and are happy to use self-serve to do so.
Member @Michael Kaff also expressed support for self-serve checkouts but noted that they are not always practical for a large shop. For a few items, however, he finds them convenient and efficient.
It's clear that opinions on self-serve checkouts are varied and often dependent on personal preferences and circumstances. While some find them to be a convenient and speedy option, others prefer the human touch and worry about the impact on jobs and accessibility.
Ultimately, the key is to strike a balance that works for everyone involved.
What do you think, members? Is this new system a convenience or an inconvenience? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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