Supermarket shopping made faster and less stressful
14 February 2018
All 21 check-outs have been fitted the call-for-action system from WERMA including three tier colour andon lights so that everyone can immediately see whether a check-out is open.
Shopping is an event where, once the trolley is full, as little time as possible should be spent queuing for the check-out. For this reason more supermarkets are deploying call systems at the check-out to make this part of the process quick and efficient. Solutions from Werma speed up the check-out process and provide intelligent data and analysis reports.
Leclerc – supermarket of the future
The French supermarket chain has more than 560 outlets in France and has some giant retail areas with their so-called “hypermarkets”. One outlet in Northern France in Loison-sous-Lens has more than 110 staff working in an area of 6,000sqm with the objective of providing their customers with the most pleasant purchasing experience possible. This branch is a flagship in the company’s chain and combines optimised product presentation and display and a wide range of items in a modern shopping atmosphere using the latest technology to assist shopping.
A particular goal was set to make the whole check-out and payment process as efficient as possible for the consumer, avoiding long waiting times. “We know how long queues are irritating for our customers and so, for example, en-route to checkout they should be able to see where it is best to go and stand in line” says Bruno Leleu Facilities Manager at Leclerc. Management also wanted to display which check outs are open in order to improve efficiency. “We wanted to have complete transparency of all 21 check-outs all of the time. We also wanted to give each cashier the ability to call for assistance at the touch of a button without leaving the work station and thereby causing more delays”, continues Leleu.
Complete transparency with AndonSPEED
Whilst looking for a suitable system to use, Leleu found the beacon, sounder and systems manufacturer Werma. Here he discovered its Andon light systems. The wireless andon light system shows, at the press of a button, a bright and clearly visible signal light which check-out is available or requires assistance.
The word “andon” comes from the Japanese language and means “warning lamp” which may be used to indicate a change on status which requires immediate attention to rectify. Werma’s call-for-action system works on this principal. The illuminated light shows the actual status and may indicate, for example, to a supervisor that assistance is required. Up to eight different status conditions can be activated by using a four button switch box packed with smart electronics.
AndonSPEED hit the mark immediately
The cashier can change the lights or call for help using the Andon SmartBOX without leaving the workstation
The main reason leading to the decision by Leclerc to use the Werma system was the simple and easy to retrofit features. “For us it was especially important to choose a solution which we could install quickly and then expand at any time easily” says Leleu. In addition, Leclerc was especially impressed by the remote wireless monitoring feature. “We came across this system and were immediately very impressed” continues Leleu. “David Defever came and demonstrated the system to us onsite and we decided immediately that we wanted to test the system”. After the onsite demonstration installation was carried out: “we could hardly believe how quickly the system was installed and how the software is so easy and simple to use” recalls Leleu “and we were able to produce initial reports on day one”.
Status reporting at the touch of a button
Each check-out is fitted with an Andon SmartBOX which the member of staff activates by pressing the appropriate button to indicate that the check-out is open or closed or that there is a particular problem that needs to be resolved. The status is indicated by the clearly visible appropriate signal light colour. The member of staff does not need to go off and look for someone to help, queues and waiting times become a thing of the past and the whole process becomes more lean and efficient.
Labels can be fixed to the buttons on the switch box to clearly indicate the function required. A final finishing touch is the provision of a standard plug in power supply unit so no additional cabling and wiring is required, ensuring the whole system can be installed quickly and easily.
Common traffic light system indicates status
Leclerc use a three colour traffic light system. If a check-out is closed the red light is illuminated. As soon as a check-out is opened the member of staff switches the light from red to green, the light being clearly visible by customers and management alike. The cashier has two further options – with the amber light assistance can be called for without leaving the workstation. Red on the other hand indicates a higher state of urgency, and danger.
The software package shows the status of all 21 check-outs at a glance
The KombiSIGN 72 modular andon lights used are extremely bright and give all-round visibility with no dead spots. Easy to assemble and install with long-life LEDs the andon lights are also very maintenance friendly having smooth, easy to clean surfaces.
Intelligent reports
The software delivered with the system is very simple to install and collects all of the status light change data which can then be used to produce reports and analyses. The impartial and accurate data leads to perfect transparency of the process. “It will be possible to implement decisions based on accurate figures. Pinch-points can be identified, and processes improved with durable measures and significant reductions in waiting time can be achieved” comments Winfried Huber Sales Director at WERMA Signaltechnik.
Data is displayed on simple and comprehensive visuals revealing the actual behaviour of the process in unequivocal terms. The improved transparency of the operation can lead to continuous improvements in down-time and waiting times and lead to untapped potential being revealed and put to good use.
Leclerc in Loison-sous-Lens have installed the software on two laptops; one is located on the information desk at the entrance to the supermarket and the other in the main operations office of the General Manager. Members of staff can therefore see at the glance the status of all 21 check-outs and see immediately if any of them require assistance or support.
“Thanks to the simple and efficient system we have been able to optimise our flow of customers and we are working much more effectively and efficiently” says Leleu, “reaction times have reduced considerably and we have virtually halted any stoppages. Our customers notice this and are very happy not to have to wait long times at the check-outs.”
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