What's the Best Self-Checkout Machine for Grocery Stores?

To self-checkout or not to self-checkout? That is the question.

Self-checkout machines are now a regular sight at retailers, especially large grocery chains — but what does it take to install self-checkout at your small grocery store?

In this article, we’ll answer that question (and more). Let’s go over the key components every self-checkout machine should have, what you should think about when considering self-checkout, and three popular options for machines to use in your store.

Key Components of a Self-Checkout Machine

A lot of retailers have implemented self-checkout, but many lightweight, cheaper self-service systems don’t meet the needs of grocery stores. Here are the elements every grocery store self-checkout machine should include:

• Responsive touchscreen: The touchscreen is how customers look up items without barcodes, input customer loyalty information, and select a payment method.
• Scanner scale: Grocery store scanners need to scan UPCs and weigh produce, deli items, and other weight-based products.
• Card terminal: A card terminal lets customers pay with a debit or credit card. Ideally, your system supports chip-and-pin, as well as contactless payments.
• Receipt printer: Even if your system supports electronic receipts, most customers still want the option of a paper receipt.

While not required to run, there are a few more features and components that grocery store owners should consider:

• EBT payment support: A card reader and point of sale (POS) system with EBT support allows customers using SNAP benefits to use self-checkout.
• Age verification: Grocers that sell alcohol, tobacco, or other age-restricted products need prompts to check ID. Instead of entering a customers’ birthdate manually, some systems simplify the process by allowing you to scan ID.
• Cash payments: While many self-checkout kiosks are card-only, you may want to look for hardware that takes cash if you have a lot of customers paying that way.
• Handheld barcode scanners: Grocery stores that sell large items or allow customers to buy in bulk may require a handheld scanner so customers don’t have to remove an item from their cart.
• Unified shopping experience: Your self-checkout system should connect directly to your inventory, payment, and customer relationship management (CRM) systems to create a unified shopping experience — no matter which style of checkout a customer chooses. 
• Remote management: Self-checkout lanes can slow to a crawl if employees have to physically process common overrides (like voids or applying coupons). Find a system that allows employees to monitor and manage machines from their terminal or smartphone.

Remember: The goal of adding self-checkout is to make life easier for your staff and your customers. If you get a self-checkout machine without the features you need, you’ll give yourself more work than when you didn’t have one.

Related Read: What Is the Best Grocery Store Barcode Scanner? 10 Top Options

Before You Add Self-Checkout, Consider These Points

A well-run self-checkout area can make the shopping experience more convenient, but it’s not a great fit for every store. 

There are pros and cons of self-checkout, so think over these points before investing in new hardware:

• POS compatibility: Many grocery store hardware options are only compatible with certain point of sale systems. If you pay for a new self-checkout system now, and then upgrade your POS system later, they might not work together.
• Store size: Self-checkout generally requires a dedicated area at the front of the store, which can take up valuable real estate, especially in small markets.
• Staff supervision: Unfortunately, customers are more likely to steal or ring up items incorrectly at self-checkout stations, making staff supervision essential.
• Price: Self-checkout might help you meet modern customer expectations, but it’s often not inexpensive. 

Deciding whether self-checkout is right for your business is up to you — while many stores are scaling back on self-checkout stations, others are adding them. 

Here’s our advice: Don’t rush into a decision just because you’re trying to keep up with bigger competitors. Weigh factors like installation costs, the space it’ll require, how much time it’ll free up for your staff, and whether your customers even want it in the first place.

3 Recommendations for Grocery Self-Checkout Machines

We said it once, we’ll say it again: Start your search for self-checkout hardware by speaking to your POS provider. Some companies have their own proprietary hardware that you must use. Others have lists of compatible hardware or partnerships with specific brands.

Either way, they can tell you what will and won’t work on your current system. 

That said, here are some general recommendations for different styles of self-checkout machines.

3. Toshiba MxP™ Self-Checkout 820

The Toshiba self-checkout model is a great example of an all-in-one model. This self-checkout machine includes a terminal, card machine, scanner scale, cash slot, and bagging area. 

Key points:

• Machines like the Toshiba have a bigger footprint, requiring a larger area of your store.
• This machine comes with everything you need built in, so you won’t need to connect third-party scales or other hardware. The biggest challenge is ensuring it integrates with your POS system for accurate inventory data.
• It includes a configurable frontend, so you can customize buttons and layout to your customers’ preferences.
• Toshiba takes a modular approach, letting you configure your exact setup (like including or leaving out a bagging area or having scanner scales connected).

Best for: Given the advanced configuration, larger footprint, and collaborative customer service, Toshiba’s systems are best for larger stores.

2. Aila Self-Checkout Kiosk

Aila’s self-checkout kiosks show how you can enable checkout with a simpler, cheaper system, and then connect third-party hardware to power it up for grocery.  

Key points:

• Aila’s system requires integration with third-party scanner scales for sell-by-weight support.
• It has built-in 1D and 2D barcode support, which also allows it to scan IDs.
• Aila provides ongoing support and service for a monthly fee if you need help scaling or customizing the system.
• Aila uses an open API, allowing it to connect with many different types of POS systems (though it may require some IT help to initially configure).

Best for: If you have a compatible POS system, Aila is a compact system that’s good for small grocery stores or corner shops. Integrating scales is a bit challenging, though, so it may be best reserved for items with barcodes and fixed prices only.

1. IT Retail

IT Retail is our comprehensive solution for independent grocers, butcher shops, and food markets of all shapes and sizes. Other POS providers give you a list of recommended self-checkout machines, but here’s what makes our system unique: You can convert any standard terminal into a self-checkout terminal without dedicated hardware.

Key points:

• A combined provider for your software and hardware means that all support and setup comes from the same source.
• IT Retail uses the exact same hardware for checkout and self-checkout. This means you can easily convert regular lanes into self-checkout lanes (or vice versa) without spending extra money.
• We’re compatible with many common deli and scanner scale brands, including Zebra, Megellan, Brecknell, and Datalogic.
• Our system is one of the fastest on the market, accurately ringing up items in a fraction of the time.
• We use scales that are energy efficient, reducing power consumption by up to 60% compared to other scanner scales.

Best for: If you’re on the fence about whether you can afford self-checkout, or if self-checkout is right for your business, we make it easy (and inexpensive) to try out.

IT Retail: An Affordable and Flexible Self-Checkout Option

There are a lot of opinions about self-checkout. Some customers love it, others think it takes away that personal touch that makes small grocery stores special. 

In our opinion, the right answer isn’t universal. It depends on your business’ needs and atmosphere.

IT Retail has multiple self-checkout options — from standalone kiosks to convertible terminals — giving small grocery stores an easy and budget-friendly way to implement self-service payments in their store.

In addition to hardware, IT Retail’s top-rated software is packed with features specifically built for small grocers, including expiration date tracking, AI-assisted invoice scanning, built-in customer loyalty, EBT payments, and more.

To price out your perfect POS system, try out our convenient Build and Price tool today.