TOKYO - FamilyMart has unveiled a new hybrid checkout system that can operate as either a self-service or staffed register, aiming to reduce checkout-related work by about 20% as labor shortages affect roughly 30% of its franchise stores.
The convenience store operator is overhauling its checkout terminals for the first time in about 10 years. The new machines can switch between self-checkout and employee-operated modes depending on the time of day and how crowded a store is.
The upgraded self-service registers can also handle functions that previously required assistance from store staff, including adding funds to electronic money accounts and processing discounted products.
Labor shortages are a major reason behind the overhaul.
Kei Kobayashi of FamilyMart's Store Operations Support Division said about 30% of franchisees are currently struggling with insufficient staffing.
The system is also designed to automatically summon an employee when a customer scans a product requiring staff assistance, such as alcoholic beverages. This allows customers to purchase alcohol through a self-service register once the required employee check has been completed.
FamilyMart estimates the new terminals can reduce the amount of work time devoted to checkout operations by about 20%.
The company plans to introduce the new system at all of its stores by the end of February 2027 as it seeks to ease the operational burden caused by labor shortages.
Source: TBS
