A&P INSTALLS SELF-SCANNING STATIONS IN SECOND UNIT

KIM ANN ZIMMERMANN

MONTVALE, N.J. -- A&P here installed five self-scanning stations in its new Bayonne, N.J., store, which opened earlier this month. This is the second A&P location currently using the technology.

A&P has had self-scanning stations at its South Plainfield, N.J., location for two years.

"We've had a good response to the self-scanning system at the Bayonne store so far," said Michael Rourke, senior vice president for communications and corporate affairs at A&P.

"The customers seem to like it. About 35% of the transactions at the Bayonne store are being handled at the self-scanning stations," he added.

According to a source familiar with the project, A&P is preparing to introduce the technology to at least two additional stores this fall.

A&P officials declined to comment on plans to install self-scanning stations at any additional locations.

Rourke said the South Plainfield store also handles about 35% of its transactions through the self-scanning station.

While Rourke declined to provide specific figures, he said it took longer for the South Plainfield store to reach the 35% level than it had for the Bayonne store.

The self-scanning technology being employed by A&P is a joint development of Optimal Robotics, Montreal, and PSC, Webster, N.Y.