Woolworths introduces new checkout counters to cater shoppers' preferences

As the cost of living continues to rise and shopping habits evolve, retailers also take necessary steps to match customers' needs.

Woolworths took a bold step to redefine the grocery shopping experience for Australians.

The supermarket giant rolled out a new 'front-of-store experience' designed to cater to the changing preferences of its customers.


In an era where convenience and efficiency are paramount, Woolworths started embracing automation by introducing hybrid stores.

These stores offered a blend of self-serve and staffed registers, giving shoppers options and streamlining the checkout process.

The shift towards these hybrid stores was a response to a change in consumer behaviour.


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Woolworths backed their decision to make hybrid stores by observing customer behaviour. Image Credit: Shutterstock/Daria Nipot


Woolworths observed that customers now opt for smaller, more frequent shopping trips.

'For a basket with 20 items or less, 83 per cent of our customers choose self-service checkouts,' a Woolworths spokesperson said.

'Whereas for a basket with more than 20 items, the majority of our customers select a staffed checkout.'

This trend led to an increased preference for quick and easy self-serve checkout experiences.


Woolworths' new customer-centric approach ensured that while many opt for speedier, self-service checkouts, those who value human interaction could still be served by a team member.

The new store format offered a superior customer experience, with express lanes already a feature in about 800 Woolworths stores.

Images from the newly opened Woolworths store in Spotswood showed dual service desks that featured staffed conveyor belt checkouts and self-service kiosks.

This hybrid model is a testament to Woolworths' commitment to providing choice and convenience to its customers.

This transformation came at a time when supermarkets started to adapt to a population feeling cost-of-living pressures.


Woolworths competitor Coles also introduced this policy last year.

SDC member @Wipperwill shared their thoughts about hybrid checkout counters.

'For a large shop, personally, I prefer the manual check out, but for a smaller shop, I find the automatic check out much the better way to go.'

As we navigate these challenging economic times, the importance of a tailored shopping experience cannot be overstated.

Woolworths' innovative approach is a clear indication that the supermarket is listening to its customers and adapting to their needs.

Whether you're in a hurry and prefer the efficiency of self-service or you enjoy a chat with a friendly staff member at a staffed checkout, Woolworths is striving to accommodate your preferences.
Key Takeaways

  • Woolworths rolled out a new front-of-store experience in response to the customers' changing shopping habits.
  • The supermarket introduced hybrid stores with both self-service and manned registers to cater to customers' preferences.
  • According to a Woolworths spokesperson, 83 per cent of customers with baskets of less than 20 items opt for self-service checkouts, while those otherwise prefer a staffed checkout.
  • The dual service desks were a part of the supermarkets' efforts to adapt to the cost-of-living pressures and provide a better customer experience.
Have you visited one of these hybrid stores yet? Do you prefer self-service or staffed checkouts? Share your experiences and thoughts about their new checkout counters in the comments below.
 

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The only reason so many people are having to use self serve is because there are never enough service checkouts open. At my local store there are only a couple of service checkouts open at any time and they are always full. I'm sure if stores opened more they would find that most people would much rather use the service ones rather than self serve. I would like to see all the supermarkets bring back " customer service ".
 
That may seem great for Woolies, but at my 2 local stores there is hardly ever anyone at the “human” checkout forcing you to use the self serve.
no wonder their stats are skewed.
and shouldn’t we get a discount for doing it all ourselves ?
p.s. maybe we ask the service attendant at the self serve to put the items through for us ?
 
At a suburban Perth Woolworths last Sunday. Thirteen self serve checkouts. Only two were cash AND card. The rest were card only. :devilish:
Because most people use a card as it's easier and quicker. That's why people would go to self serve in the first place. That's what I do anyway.

And they know what machines are used the most everyday and how they are used. It's not a big conspiracy to wind up the self serve haters.
 
A discount? 😂😂

Another phrase from the self serve haters handbook.

You've had to take all the goods off the shelves yourself, put them in the trolley yourself, put them on the conveyor yourself. Luckily they pack your bags in Australia. Don't go to the UK. It's unheard of there.

And what discount do you get pumping your own petrol? 🤔
 
I don't really like those self serve conveyors. You put your stuff on to scan then have to run after it the other end to pack it.😁

At the moment I prefer Aldi's self serve. They've got a lot of room to put everything after scanning. I done 30 items yesterday👍
And I can see myself on the little screen.😁
 
I refuse to use self serve in any shop - went to KMart and only self serve so I put the goods down on floor and walked away - the girl monitoring self serve called out to me and said she would put them through the checkout. Can you imagine doing a weekly grocery shop with one or two toddlers and then trying to manage self serve, packing and toddlers. Time everyone just ignored self serve and created a huge queue at the poorly manned service checkout.
 
I refuse to use self serve in any shop - went to KMart and only self serve so I put the goods down on floor and walked away - the girl monitoring self serve called out to me and said she would put them through the checkout. Can you imagine doing a weekly grocery shop with one or two toddlers and then trying to manage self serve, packing and toddlers. Time everyone just ignored self serve and created a huge queue at the poorly manned service checkout.
That’s really rude of you didn’t you realise when you walked through the door it was self serve checkout. 👎
 
That’s really rude of you didn’t you realise when you walked through the door it was self serve checkout. 👎
No I didn't realise it was all self serve - I rarely go to KMart and the times I have been there they had options. I don't consider it rude that I am paying good money for goods and expect service at a checkout and not to do the job myself. My mother was a checkout operator for many years and put up with rude customers along with friendly and polite customers but it helped to put food on the table and buy a few luxuries. The large chain shops make enough profit on the goods they sell and should provide service at the checkout and not expect the customer to do the job. In my case I won't go back and will shop online where possible.
 
I refuse to use self serve checkouts as I do not work at the store that have these check outs. Now if the store allowed 10% discount for serving yourself that would be a different matter.
And do you serve yourself at the servo, or sit in the car waiting for someone to do it for you??
 
And do you serve yourself at the servo, or sit in the car waiting for someone to do it for you??
It’s not such a hassle to put your petrol in and there is no other alternative. My daughter does it for me because of arthritic hands but she did show me a way of putting your petrol cap in the handle opening so no pressure is required.
 
Maybe next time take notice of what’s going on around you instead of whinging lady, lucky I wasn’t behind you because I would have yelled out “hey lady you forgot your shopping” it was still rude of you in my opinion so yeah maybe you’d better shop online.😊
Not nice to be so rude yourself to the lady / sure she could have just left it in the trolley instead of putting on the floor and didn’t she say they were all self service
 
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Not nice to be so rude yourself to the lady / sure she could have just left it in the trolley instead of putting on the floor and didn’t she say they were all self service
Of course you wouldn’t use self service in a fit would you Wendell 🤣 as quoted by yourself recently.
 

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