Albertsons Rolls Out All Self-Checkout Pilot In Two Idaho Stores

Albertsons is trying out all self-checkout lanes in two of its locations in Idaho—Five Mile and Ustick. Gone are the traditional check-out lanes and cashiers. Instead there are assisted checkout lanes without cashiers, and assisted checkout attendants in lieu of traditional cashiers.

“The decision to transition this location was based on extensive research of the available technologies, the customer market area, and the store traffic and checkout patterns,” Kathy Holland, communications and public relations for the Boise-based grocery giant’s Intermountain Division, told BoiseDev.

The assisted checkout lanes have a checker-assist feature that allows customers to get help from an assisted checkout attendant. The feature guides the customer “similarly to the way that a traditional checker would,” and provides “extra support for our guests,” Holland said.

During very busy times and the holiday season, the assisted checkout attendants will be essential in getting customers through checkout quickly. In addition to the assisted checkout attendants, courtesy clerks will also continue to be at the stores to help bag groceries and take them to customers’ cars if requested.

It was reported that Veeve smart carts may also be added to the stores. Albertsons Cos. and Veeve Inc. announced in May that smart carts would be coming to a few dozen Albertsons stores across the country later this year.

Veeve’s tech-enhanced smart carts will provide customers with a more convenient, contactless way to shop. The carts have a touchscreen that gives shoppers a running total for in-cart items. The carts also have a built-in scale for purchasing produce. When customers have completed their shopping, they just pay for their items on their cart and leave the store.