Deli Ordering Kiosks Reduce Wait Times
Gail Chiasson, North American Editor
Wait times at the deli at Big Y Foods Inc., Sringfield, Massachusetts, has been shortened now that it has deployed automated deli ordering kiosks powered by NCR’s self-service technology.
Now located in 18 
Big Y stores throughout New England, each Big Y deli kiosk uses the NCR Netkey deli ordering application, and several run on NCR EasyPoint Advantage kiosk hardware. In addition, all future Big Y stores will feature the combined NCR kiosk software and hardware solution.
To use the kiosks, Big Y customers simply swipe their Big Y Express Savings card. The simple and intuitive touch screen enables shoppers to place and customize their meat or cheese order from the in-store deli. The NCR software determines the appropriate time for the customer to return to the deli counter to pick up their order, which is then printed at the bottom of the customer’s receipt. An in-store announcement also alerts customers when their order is ready. Customers have the added convenience of being able to check the price of all in-store merchandise at the kiosks.
“The self-service kiosks extend even more choices to our shoppers as part of our commitment to deliver the best possible shopping experience,” says Bill Classen, deli sales manager, Big Y Foods Inc. “Our customers appreciate the option to place their deli orders without waiting in line and the extra convenience the kiosks provide.”
The NCR Netkey management software brings together in-store digital advertising and self-service kiosks under a single platform, enabling retailers to leverage rich multimedia content across digital signs and kiosks.
For example, retailers could opt to use digital advertising to promote their frequent shopper program and then make it easy for shoppers to enroll at self-service kiosks.
“The deli is often one of the highest profit centers for grocers, but it can also be the most frustrating and delay-filled part of the customer’s shopping experience,” says Dusty Lutz, general manager, NCR Netkey kiosk and digital signage solutions. “Grocers can use the NCR Netkey deli ordering application as part of an integrated loyalty program, in a converged retailing – or ‘c-tailing’ – manner, to deliver targeted offers to consumers and simplify ordering for loyalty card members based on their previous purchases, saving valuable time and improving the shopping experience.”
NCR Netkey is one of NCR’s c-tailing solutions, a set of software and services that enable retailers to offer consumers greater personalization and consistency across channels, such as the Internet, mobile devices, social media and in the store.
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