Image courtesy: nationalseniors.com.au
A report by RBR shows a significant increase in the adoption of mobile self-scanning technology by retailers worldwide. In 2022 alone, an additional 11,500 branches have implemented this service, bringing the total number of locations offering mobile self-scanning to over 57,000. The technology allows customers to scan items using their own smartphones or retailers’ handheld devices.
While mobile self-scanning using dealer-provided devices is widespread in many European countries, RBR’s study shows a growing trend to offer this service via smartphone applications. Large supermarket chains in Germany, Japan and Sweden expanded their mobile self-scanning offer to numerous branches in the course of 2022. Additionally, retailers are increasingly experimenting with smart shopping carts that automatically track the items placed in them.
The introduction of smartphone applications has facilitated the expansion of mobile self-scanning into new markets. By the end of 2022, countries like Egypt, Taiwan, Kuwait and the Philippines had implemented mobile self-scanning capabilities for customers. The research shows that different types of retailers are using this technology, with more than a third of stores offering mobile self-scanning being non-grocery stores.
RBR forecasts a robust growth rate of 20 percent per year in the mobile self-scanning market over the next six years. Supermarket chains currently using handheld devices are expected to integrate consumer applications into their offerings, while shopping cart-based solutions are expected to become more prevalent in Asia. The self-scanning trend is expected to expand to other retail segments such as fuel convenience stores, home improvement and specialty retailers.
According to Alex Maple, analyst at RBR, the rapid growth in the number of stores offering mobile self-scanning is expected to continue across various retail sectors around the world. Retailers can use this technology to address rising costs and labor shortages while providing customers with a choice of shopping experiences.
