Retailers ramp up mobile self-scanning investments

Customers can use mobile self-scanning at more than 46,000 stores across the world, according to research from RBR.

During 2021, an additional 10,000 stores globally began offering this service, with customers scanning items as they shop either using their own smartphone or a device provided by the retailer.

Mobile self-scanning solutions have been offered by large, established retailers in European countries such as the UK, France and the Netherlands, for many years.

However, major chains in other parts of the world, such as in the USA, as well as smaller merchants elsewhere, are increasingly getting onboard via smartphone applications.

In 2021, convenience chain 7-Eleven rolled out smartphone self-scanning to almost 3,000 US stores, while in Spain fuel retailer Repsol did likewise at 600 outlets.

RBR’s research shows that, although many retailers develop their own software for mobile self-scanning, a large number work with third party specialists.

Vendors such as Dutch firm Re-Vision, acquired by Extenda Retail in 2022, Austria's Shopreme and the UK's Mishipay supply retailers across a wide range of countries, while Budgetbox's solution is live at leading French grocers.

In the USA, Skip works with a range of supermarkets, while Chinese retailers mainly use apps via payment programmes WeChat and Alipay. Other retailers work with their PoS software provider, with notable players including GK Software, NCR and Toshiba.

The market for self-scanning via retailer-provided devices continues to grow, with US-based Zebra accounting for more than 80% of hardware installations; Italy's Datalogic accounts for most of the remainder.

While grocery chains in mature markets will continue to expand mobile self-scanning to more stores, the technology will be increasingly deployed in other sectors, including convenience with fuel, DIY, homeware and apparel.

Greater adoption of smartphone self-scanning applications, particularly in the Americas and Asia, will boost the market in years to come. According to RBR, by 2027, the number of stores offering mobile self-scanning globally is set to reach more than 160,000.

Alex Maple of RBR says: “Mobile self-scanning is expected to expand strongly, to a more diverse range of retailers and to new geographies.”

“Whether it is scanning items using a smartphone or a handheld retailer provided device, reducing friction and enhancing the shopping experience remains a key aim.”