IBM is Helping Make Customer Checkout Faster, Easier, Smarter

ARMONK, N.Y. - IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced retail technology that allows stores to offer targeted third-party products and services to consumers at checkout, and add future services with close to “plug-and-play” simplicity. Essentially, retailers will have a quick and easy way to extend the traditional point-of-sale aisle to a revenue-generating point-of-service.

IBM’s new Smarter Checkout solution provides shoppers a more personalized, interactive experience that includes letting customers purchase specialized items such as lottery, theater and show tickets in the checkout lane. For example, shoppers can buy their favorite Quick Pick draw games with the scan of a bar-code in the main aisle just like other store items. They can also use mobile devices, such as a cell phone, to help process their orders, redeem digital coupons, access loyalty points, and pay for their orders at an IBM self-service pay station.

According to a recent study of global retailers, 85% of consumers prefer to complete their transactions through a traditional point-of-sale station, whether they take goods home or have items delivered. The checkout aisle is the retailer’s last chance to save a sale, generate extra revenue, and make a lasting impression on shoppers.

“The store is the retailer’s most important channel for reaching consumers. It is the critical touch point where retail clients can deliver a differentiated shopping experience and deepen a customer’s relationship to the brand,” said Steve Ladwig, general manager, IBM Retail Store Solutions. “Smarter checkout connects the store to shoppers by simplifying the delivery of end-to-end cross-channel offerings, and providing a seamless shopping experience, all while keeping costs down and managing risks.”

IBM Smarter Checkout combines systems, software and services into a technology platform that enables retailers to capture and analyze valuable customer data so that stores can quickly respond to changing customer demand and supplier market conditions. By plugging in real-time basket analytics, a retailer can now offer real-time promotions and relevant offers while the customer is passing through the checkout lane. For example, as a purchase is scanned, new products or services will appear on cashier and customer-facing touch screens, essentially making the traditional point-of-sale station a true point-of-service, and helping make shopping faster, easier, smarter.

Along with an enhanced consumer shopping experience and improved operational efficiency, Smarter Checkout enables more seamless cross-channel integration, giving consumers access to products available both on-line and in the store. Consumers can also take advantage of the cross-promotional offers between the retailer’s store and fuel site. IBM Smarter checkout also provides seamless links to reducing front-of-the-store losses due to cashier and operations error, fraud and theft.

Powered by IBM SurePOS 700 point-of-sale systems running the IBM 4690 operating platform, Smarter Checkout also leverages IBM System x, Lotus Expeditor and Store Integrator to integrate a wide variety of applications for use at the point-of-sale, on mobile devices, and at kiosks.

The new offering also enables third-party services such as GTech online lottery and Zavers digital coupon capability at the point-of-sale. Lottery tickets can be purchased at checkout and printed in the aisle on a receipt printer. Retailers with Zavers can process digital coupons from originating consumer goods manufacturers and distributors, and quickly add them to transaction discounts and offers at the register.

IBM Smarter Checkout for 4690 is available immediately through the IBM Retail Store Solutions Global Services network.

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About IBM

For additional information about IBM Smarter Checkout solutions, visit: http://www.ibm.com/products/retail/products/solutions/smartercheckout.

IBM, SurePOS 700, IBM 4690, Lotus Expeditor, Lotus Expeditor Integrator, IBM Store Integrator, IBM Store Integrator Graphic User Interface, and System x are trademarks or registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.

GTech software and Zavers Digital Coupon solutions are trademarks of their respective companies in the U.S. and/or other countries.