Feasibility study of self-checkout machines at
supermarkets in Dubai
Chetan Goenka & Kushagra Jain
Changes in consumer behavior
SpeedPrivacy
Control
Psychological
needs
Current scenarios
“10 minutes in line just to buy a
can of soda …Its ridiculous!!!”
“I don’t want to hand over my card...
and I think the cashier swiped my goods more than once…
also he didn’t give me right discounts”
“Ohhh…I am not going to buy them (personal goods)…
the lady at the counter smirks at me when she sees them”
Self checkout
Enter -----Select ----Collect----
Scan---- Pay ---- Bag ---- Exit
I can be sure of
what I pay now
I can buy anything
without any
embarrassment
Can buy even
one item
without getting
delayed
Concept providers
Success Stories
?
Why not in Dubai ?
• Largest – Dubai Mall
• Tallest – Burj Khalifa
• Luxurious– Burj Al Arab, Atlantis
• Techno-marvel – Palm
About NCR
• NCR –ranked 10th global
hardware maintenance and
support provider across all the
industry segments
• Their Clients include:
– 17 of the world’s top 20 retailers
– 19 of the world’s top 20 banks
– 8 of the world’s top 10 telecom
providers
– 6 of the top 7 airlines
Source: NCR website
What and How to find?
Are the Retailers ready ? Are the Consumers ready ?
Qualitative Research Quantitative Research
Demographics
28%
24%
22%
26%
Income Range
Less than 5K 5K to 10K
10K to 20K 20K and above
34%
66%
Gender
Female Male
54%34%
12%
Frequency of visits
Weekly Fortnightly Monthly
8%
20%
24%22%
18%
8%
Nationalities
UAE Nationals Expat Arabs
Indians Other Asians
Americans Other Westerners
24%50%
12%
14%
Occupation
Student Salaried
Self Employed Housewife4%
42%
42%
12%
Age
13-21 21-30
30-45 45-60
Market Potential
North
America
59%
Western
Europe
30%
Asia
Pacific
7%
MENA
and Latin
America
0
100
200
300
400
500
2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016
Installed Base of SCO (in thousands)
Source: RBR Report, 2009
Predictions for 2014
Strengths
• Reduces long waiting time.
• Increases Privacy & control.
• Payback period of less than
two years
• Compatible with other POS
machines
Opportunities
• GCC has demand for it
• Test market for China and
India
• Consumer education can
lead to wide acceptance
Threats
• Alternate technologies like
handheld scanner
Weaknesses
• Perception of cost cutting
• Occasional hitches may
frustrate customers
• Initial slump in Impulse
purchase at counters
S W
TO
PSA Model
Perceived attributes of Innovation
Relative
Advantage
Degree to which an
innovation is perceived
better than competing
products
Compatibility
Degree to which an
innovation is consistent
with existing values,
experiences and needs
Simplicity
Degree to which an
innovation is perceived
as complex and difficult
to use
Trial-ability
Degree to which an
innovation may be
experimented with on a
limited base
Result of adoption process—Rate of Adoption—usage of innovation
Concerns expressed by retailers in
implementation
Customer
Profile
High
Initial Cost
Cheap
available
labor
Security &
Imperfection
in machines
Large shop
footprint
Current
Economy
Issues
Retailers Concerns
Concern of Retailer Spinneys Lulu Al Maya Choithram's DDF Auchan
Customer Profile     
Cheap Labor    
Economic Scenario  
Security Concerns     
Large footprint 
High installation cost  
Findings
&
Recommendations
LAUNCH IT !!!
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Most
Likely
Likely Less Likely Not likely
8
6 4
1
5
4
3
3
Waiting Time v/s Usage likeliness
1 to 3 3 to 5 5 to 10 more than 10
10%
56%
30%
4%
Waiting time
1 to 3 3 to 5
5 to 10 more than 10
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Most Likely
Likely
Less Likely
Not likely
Time of Shopping V/s Usage Likeliness
Peak hours Non- Peak Anytime
26%
67%
7%
Try New Technology
To reduce waiting time
While buying personal
goods
Spread
Awareness
Awareness
Interest
and
Evaluation
Trial and
Adoption
Aware
52%
Not
aware
48%
Awareness
SHOW THEM
THE MONEY
Costs
• Installation
• Implementation
• Training
• Maintenance
• Supervisors Cost
Benefits
• Salaries of Cashiers and
Baggers
• Reduced Shrinkage
• Reduced turnover cost
• Increased sales
• Increased customer
satisfaction
Cost Benefit Analysis
Payback Period 1.9 years
Discounted Payback Period 2.2 years
Returns
Net Annual Benefits 6,327,000 AED
Net Onetime Costs 11,909,000 AED
Results of the Model (10% discounting)
PV of Future inflows (4 years) 20,055,739 AED
PV of outflows 11,909,000 AED
NPV 8,146,739 AED
IRR 39%
Results
Retailers say
people wont accept
IS IT SO ?
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
UAE Nat Expat
Arab
Indian Other
Asian
European Oth.
Westrs
Nationality v/s likeliness of usage
Most Likely Likely Less Likely Not likely
0
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
5
Most
Likely
Likely Less
Likely
Not
likely
Satisfaction on a 5 scale v/s
Usage likeliness
3 4 5
Aware
52%
Not aware
48%
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Most Likely Likely Less Likely Not likely
Monthly Income V/s Usage Likeliness
< 5K AED 5k-10K AED 10k-20K AED >20K AED
50%
45%
5%
Extra work
Lack of confidence
Machine may be faulty
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Most Likely Likely Less Likely Not likely
No. of items bought V/s Usage
Likeliness
< 5 5 to 10 10 to 20 20 to 40 > 40
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
13-20 years 21-30 years 31-45 years 46- 60 years
Age V/s Usage Likeliness
Most Likely Likely
Less Likely Not likely
TAKE
SMALL STEPS
Phased Implementations
• T1 first  T2 will
follow
• Strip down versions
• Loans
• Strategic locations
• Integrate with
employees 0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
UAE Nat Expat
Arab
Indian Other
Asian
European Oth.
Westrs
Nationality v/s likeliness of
usage
Most Likely Likely Less Likely Not likely
PUSH
PUSH
PUSH
• Discounts
• Promotions targeting the
young generations
• Integrating up the value
chain – Express
checkouts/ 24/7 stores
Most Like
24%
Likely
52%
Less Likely
24%
On giving 1% discount
…so finally
Spread awareness,
Show retailers the money and
launch it.
There is Demand for it,
Take strategic steps to
push the technology and it
would be a success
Thank You!!!
Questions
Limitations
• We have not interviewed age group below 13 years of age and
above 60 years of age.
• Only few people were interviewed among age group of 13 to
21 years and 45 to 60 years of age.
• As a matter of personal inconvenience to the Emirati women
and Expat Arabic women, we could not interview more of
them.
• Some survey responses were obtained online.
• We tried to interview the educated people, Asians who have
stayed in US/ UK for a year or so and know about technology.
Cost benefit analysis
Figures as told in Interview
No. of stores of the supermarket 75
Average number of lanes in the
supermarket
30
Annual sales of the store 3,000,000,000 AED
Average Weekly sales in the store 769,231 AED
Cashier and Baggers work in 2 shifts
Industry Averages
Cashier Labor rate per month 3000 AED
Bagger Labor rate per month 1200 AED
Annual shrink rate 3.00%
Shrinkage due to cashier 30.00%
Labor turnover rate 40%
Traditional POS lanes removed 75
No of cashiers that can be reduced – Cashiers work in 2 shifts 150
No. of baggers that can be reduced – Work in 2 shifts 150
NCR Self check out that would be installed 75
No. of supervisors required for 75 37
Salary of supervisor per month 4000 AED
Each Old POS Machine can be scrapped 1000 AED
Cost of Deployment and training of people 500,000 AED
Discounting Rate 10 %
New Machines will work for 4 years
Assumptions
Estimated self-checkout adoption rate 10 %
Cost of 75 NCR Self-Checkout terminals (as provided by NCR) Installations +
Implementation
Licensing cost + Software + 1st terminal (USD) 600,000
Remaining 74 machines @USD 35,000 each 2,590,000
Total Cost of 75 terminals (USD) 3,190,000
Total Cost of 75 terminals (AED) 11,484,000
Cost Benefit Analysis
Onetime costs and benefits
Cost of Installation and Integration of 75 terminals 11,484,000 AED
Cost of Deployment and training of people 500,000 AED
Receipts from selling of 75 old terminals (75,000) AED
Total Installation and Implementation Cost 11,909,000 AED
Yearly Costs and Benefits
Yearly Costs Involved
Cost of employing the supervisors for SCO machines 1,800,000 AED
Increased Cost of Maintenance 1,500,000 AED
Total Yearly Costs 3,300,000 AED
Yearly Benefits Involved
Reduced cost in respect of cashiers 5,400,000 AED
Reduced cost in respect of reduced baggers 2,160,000 AED
Savings due to shrinkage rate 2,025,000 AED
Saving due to reduced turnover cost 42,000 AED
Total Yearly Benefits 9,627,000 AED
Net Yearly Benefits 6,327,000 AED

Self checkout

  • 1.
    Feasibility study ofself-checkout machines at supermarkets in Dubai Chetan Goenka & Kushagra Jain
  • 2.
    Changes in consumerbehavior SpeedPrivacy Control Psychological needs
  • 3.
    Current scenarios “10 minutesin line just to buy a can of soda …Its ridiculous!!!” “I don’t want to hand over my card... and I think the cashier swiped my goods more than once… also he didn’t give me right discounts” “Ohhh…I am not going to buy them (personal goods)… the lady at the counter smirks at me when she sees them”
  • 4.
    Self checkout Enter -----Select----Collect---- Scan---- Pay ---- Bag ---- Exit I can be sure of what I pay now I can buy anything without any embarrassment Can buy even one item without getting delayed
  • 7.
  • 8.
  • 9.
    Why not inDubai ? • Largest – Dubai Mall • Tallest – Burj Khalifa • Luxurious– Burj Al Arab, Atlantis • Techno-marvel – Palm
  • 10.
    About NCR • NCR–ranked 10th global hardware maintenance and support provider across all the industry segments • Their Clients include: – 17 of the world’s top 20 retailers – 19 of the world’s top 20 banks – 8 of the world’s top 10 telecom providers – 6 of the top 7 airlines Source: NCR website
  • 11.
    What and Howto find? Are the Retailers ready ? Are the Consumers ready ? Qualitative Research Quantitative Research
  • 12.
    Demographics 28% 24% 22% 26% Income Range Less than5K 5K to 10K 10K to 20K 20K and above 34% 66% Gender Female Male 54%34% 12% Frequency of visits Weekly Fortnightly Monthly 8% 20% 24%22% 18% 8% Nationalities UAE Nationals Expat Arabs Indians Other Asians Americans Other Westerners 24%50% 12% 14% Occupation Student Salaried Self Employed Housewife4% 42% 42% 12% Age 13-21 21-30 30-45 45-60
  • 13.
    Market Potential North America 59% Western Europe 30% Asia Pacific 7% MENA and Latin America 0 100 200 300 400 500 20062008 2010 2012 2014 2016 Installed Base of SCO (in thousands) Source: RBR Report, 2009 Predictions for 2014
  • 14.
    Strengths • Reduces longwaiting time. • Increases Privacy & control. • Payback period of less than two years • Compatible with other POS machines Opportunities • GCC has demand for it • Test market for China and India • Consumer education can lead to wide acceptance Threats • Alternate technologies like handheld scanner Weaknesses • Perception of cost cutting • Occasional hitches may frustrate customers • Initial slump in Impulse purchase at counters S W TO
  • 15.
    PSA Model Perceived attributesof Innovation Relative Advantage Degree to which an innovation is perceived better than competing products Compatibility Degree to which an innovation is consistent with existing values, experiences and needs Simplicity Degree to which an innovation is perceived as complex and difficult to use Trial-ability Degree to which an innovation may be experimented with on a limited base Result of adoption process—Rate of Adoption—usage of innovation
  • 16.
    Concerns expressed byretailers in implementation Customer Profile High Initial Cost Cheap available labor Security & Imperfection in machines Large shop footprint Current Economy Issues
  • 17.
    Retailers Concerns Concern ofRetailer Spinneys Lulu Al Maya Choithram's DDF Auchan Customer Profile      Cheap Labor     Economic Scenario   Security Concerns      Large footprint  High installation cost  
  • 18.
  • 19.
  • 20.
    0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 Most Likely Likely Less LikelyNot likely 8 6 4 1 5 4 3 3 Waiting Time v/s Usage likeliness 1 to 3 3 to 5 5 to 10 more than 10 10% 56% 30% 4% Waiting time 1 to 3 3 to 5 5 to 10 more than 10
  • 21.
    0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 Most Likely Likely Less Likely Notlikely Time of Shopping V/s Usage Likeliness Peak hours Non- Peak Anytime 26% 67% 7% Try New Technology To reduce waiting time While buying personal goods
  • 22.
  • 23.
  • 24.
  • 25.
    Costs • Installation • Implementation •Training • Maintenance • Supervisors Cost Benefits • Salaries of Cashiers and Baggers • Reduced Shrinkage • Reduced turnover cost • Increased sales • Increased customer satisfaction Cost Benefit Analysis
  • 26.
    Payback Period 1.9years Discounted Payback Period 2.2 years Returns Net Annual Benefits 6,327,000 AED Net Onetime Costs 11,909,000 AED Results of the Model (10% discounting) PV of Future inflows (4 years) 20,055,739 AED PV of outflows 11,909,000 AED NPV 8,146,739 AED IRR 39% Results
  • 27.
    Retailers say people wontaccept IS IT SO ?
  • 28.
    0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% UAE Nat Expat Arab IndianOther Asian European Oth. Westrs Nationality v/s likeliness of usage Most Likely Likely Less Likely Not likely 0 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 Most Likely Likely Less Likely Not likely Satisfaction on a 5 scale v/s Usage likeliness 3 4 5 Aware 52% Not aware 48% 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 Most Likely Likely Less Likely Not likely Monthly Income V/s Usage Likeliness < 5K AED 5k-10K AED 10k-20K AED >20K AED
  • 29.
    50% 45% 5% Extra work Lack ofconfidence Machine may be faulty 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 Most Likely Likely Less Likely Not likely No. of items bought V/s Usage Likeliness < 5 5 to 10 10 to 20 20 to 40 > 40 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 13-20 years 21-30 years 31-45 years 46- 60 years Age V/s Usage Likeliness Most Likely Likely Less Likely Not likely
  • 30.
  • 31.
    Phased Implementations • T1first  T2 will follow • Strip down versions • Loans • Strategic locations • Integrate with employees 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% UAE Nat Expat Arab Indian Other Asian European Oth. Westrs Nationality v/s likeliness of usage Most Likely Likely Less Likely Not likely
  • 32.
  • 33.
    • Discounts • Promotionstargeting the young generations • Integrating up the value chain – Express checkouts/ 24/7 stores Most Like 24% Likely 52% Less Likely 24% On giving 1% discount
  • 35.
    …so finally Spread awareness, Showretailers the money and launch it. There is Demand for it, Take strategic steps to push the technology and it would be a success
  • 36.
  • 37.
  • 38.
    Limitations • We havenot interviewed age group below 13 years of age and above 60 years of age. • Only few people were interviewed among age group of 13 to 21 years and 45 to 60 years of age. • As a matter of personal inconvenience to the Emirati women and Expat Arabic women, we could not interview more of them. • Some survey responses were obtained online. • We tried to interview the educated people, Asians who have stayed in US/ UK for a year or so and know about technology.
  • 39.
    Cost benefit analysis Figuresas told in Interview No. of stores of the supermarket 75 Average number of lanes in the supermarket 30 Annual sales of the store 3,000,000,000 AED Average Weekly sales in the store 769,231 AED Cashier and Baggers work in 2 shifts Industry Averages Cashier Labor rate per month 3000 AED Bagger Labor rate per month 1200 AED Annual shrink rate 3.00% Shrinkage due to cashier 30.00% Labor turnover rate 40% Traditional POS lanes removed 75 No of cashiers that can be reduced – Cashiers work in 2 shifts 150 No. of baggers that can be reduced – Work in 2 shifts 150 NCR Self check out that would be installed 75 No. of supervisors required for 75 37 Salary of supervisor per month 4000 AED Each Old POS Machine can be scrapped 1000 AED Cost of Deployment and training of people 500,000 AED Discounting Rate 10 % New Machines will work for 4 years Assumptions Estimated self-checkout adoption rate 10 %
  • 40.
    Cost of 75NCR Self-Checkout terminals (as provided by NCR) Installations + Implementation Licensing cost + Software + 1st terminal (USD) 600,000 Remaining 74 machines @USD 35,000 each 2,590,000 Total Cost of 75 terminals (USD) 3,190,000 Total Cost of 75 terminals (AED) 11,484,000 Cost Benefit Analysis Onetime costs and benefits Cost of Installation and Integration of 75 terminals 11,484,000 AED Cost of Deployment and training of people 500,000 AED Receipts from selling of 75 old terminals (75,000) AED Total Installation and Implementation Cost 11,909,000 AED Yearly Costs and Benefits Yearly Costs Involved Cost of employing the supervisors for SCO machines 1,800,000 AED Increased Cost of Maintenance 1,500,000 AED Total Yearly Costs 3,300,000 AED Yearly Benefits Involved Reduced cost in respect of cashiers 5,400,000 AED Reduced cost in respect of reduced baggers 2,160,000 AED Savings due to shrinkage rate 2,025,000 AED Saving due to reduced turnover cost 42,000 AED Total Yearly Benefits 9,627,000 AED Net Yearly Benefits 6,327,000 AED

Editor's Notes

  • #6 Your audience deserves to be treated like royalty. Design a presentation that meets their needs, not just yours.