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Western Beef set to expand self-checkout

Tech rollout also includes interactive service kiosks

Russell Redman

January 17, 2019

2 Min Read
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Metropolitan New York grocer Western Beef is bringing self-checkout to more stores.

Following a successful pilot at two locations in New York City, the supermarket chain plans to roll out 20 Toshiba self-service systems at five other stores across New York this year, according to Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions.

The two stores have deployed four of Toshiba’s Self Checkout System 6 units and four of its Xsellrate self-service kiosks. Serving as the stores’ express lanes, the System 6 units are helping customers complete their shopping trips faster by providing them with another checkout option, Toshiba said.

Now, about 45% of the Western Beef stores’ customers are using self-checkout to make their purchases.

Toshiba_0.pngWestern Beef employs Toshiba's kiosks and self-checkout units.

“The introduction of Toshiba’s interactive self-checkout lanes and self-service kiosks at Western Beef has reduced customer wait times, resulting in a significantly improved shopping experience for our patrons,” Thierry Sarr, chief technology officer at Ridgewood, N.Y.-based Western Beef, said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Xsellrate kiosks have lifted customer satisfaction and sharpened operational efficiency at the Western Beef test stores, Toshiba reported. The interactive digital units enable customers to place deli orders, resume shopping and then receive a text message alerting them that their order is ready for pickup.

Through the Xsellrate kiosks, Western Beef customers also can locate other groceries, check out the latest store promotions and have access to relevant coupons based on past purchases. A processing station for the kiosk allows store staff to complete a purchase, while a status display updates shoppers on their progress of their order.

“Toshiba’s solutions are increasing customer engagement, while also boosting staff productivity,” Sarr added.

Systems integrators from Toshiba business partner STCR, which facilitated the agreement and technology implementation at Western Beef, are slated to help deploy self-service units at other Western Beef locations and train store personnel to optimize the systems.

“We are thrilled the adoption of our self-service systems is producing definitive results for Western Beef,” stated Bill Campbell, vice president and head of the Americas for Research Triangle Park, N.C.-based Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions. “Beyond offering more intuitive and frictionless transactions, our retail solutions are also enhancing operational efficiency, while freeing store staff to provide customers with a better shopping experience. This trend continues to transform the industry at a rapid pace.”

Western Beef operates 26 high-volume, warehouse-style supermarkets operating in New York, New Jersey and Florida. The retailer also has developed a smaller format called Western Beef Market, which offers a bigger selection of fresh products in a farmers’ market-style setting. In addition, the Western Beef Direct service provides online and mobile grocery shopping and delivery.

The chain is pursuing an aggressive expansion. Its website lists eight new stores in the pipeline for 2019 and 2020 in New York City and four stores remodels due for completion this year, including two in New York City, one in Long Island (N.Y.) and one in Boca Raton, Fla.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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