Sainsbury’s has signed a seven-year agreement that expands its more than 20-year relationship with digital commerce firm NCR Voyix.
The deal will see the retailer upgrading its checkout technology by rolling out the NCR Voyix Commerce Platform, Point of Sale Solutions (POS) and Next Generation Self-Checkout systems to 22,500 checkouts across its supermarkets, convenience stores and petrol stations.
Sainsbury’s noted that by leveraging NCR Voyix cloud technology, it will be able to speed up the customer journey by receiving real-time data and analytics while harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) for sales analysis, estimating future store performance, staff productivity, and cash management.
The retailer highlighted that the new platform will enable staff to approve transactions remotely via tablet, speeding up the checkout process. Additionally, the next-generation self-checkout systems, powered by AI technologies, will deliver personalised promotions tailored to each shopper.
Clodagh Moriarty, Saimsbury’s Chief Retail and Technology Director, commented: “Our commitment to unbeatable quality food and great service, whether in store or online, is strengthened by NCR Voyix technology. NCR Voyix has grown alongside Sainsbury’s for two decades, unlocking new capabilities and optimising product management, sales forecasting and store efficiencies. This is driving us to the Next Level and delivers for customers, colleagues and shareholders.”
Eric Schoch, executive VP and president of Retail at NCR Voyix, added: “We aim to operate at the speed of consumers, if not faster – striking to outpace the market and keep our customers ahead of the curve with configurable, scalable and smart technology.
“With our modern software-first approach, Sainsbury’s can implement rapid changes at much lower costs, run services in the cloud while the store can operate self-checkout at the speed of a digital channel.”
NAM Implications:
- If Sainsbury’s can match consumer expectations re enhanced service levels via added AI tech…
- …this will patently give them advantages vs rivals…
- …then rivals will endeavour to replicate the facility.
- Meanwhile, suppliers will be expected to upgrade to match Sainsbury’s expectations
- i.e. smaller, more frequent, more accurate deliveries…
- …or else suffer the extra costs of additional buffering.
- Another one to watch…
