June 07, 2003 /MIAMI -- The installed base of self-checkout systems rose 47 percent in 2002, according to a newly released study from IHL Consulting Group.

"The depth and breadth of the installations continued to grow even in a tough economy," said Greg Buzek, president of IHL. "The movement into new retail segments, including DIY [do-it-yourself] with the Home Depot, and a wider penetration into the grocery, warehouse club and mass merchants is providing for a solid base from which we expect to see continued growth in years to come."

According to the study, "Retail Self-Checkout Systems in North America," the shelf-checkout business should surpass $1 billion in market value by 2005.

"Grocery retailers that have self-checkout installed are seeing up to 35 percent of their transaction volume now going through self-checkout," added Buzek. "Other retail channels, such as drug, convenience and specialty hard goods retailers are either in full rollout or testing systems to see if the same numbers can hold true in these segments."

For further information and a free study synopsis, go to www.ihlservices.com.

In related news, NCR Corporation has produced what it says is the smallest self-checkout.

The NCR FastLane Mini is being touted by the company as the ideal model for space-constrained retail locations, such as convenience stores.

"Growing numbers of consumers use self-checkout at supermarkets and other retail venues to avoid long lines and finish shopping more quickly," said Mike Webster, vice president and general manager, NCR FastLane. "Now, even retailers with space restrictions can offer their customers the same convenience. One-third smaller than our Express model, the NCR FastLane Mini fits virtually any store layout."

In addition to convenience stores, the NCR FastLane Mini can be deployed as a self-checkout alternative in other retail environments such as drug stores, office-supply stores, boutiques and department stores, said NCR.

The NCR FastLane Mini features NCR's touchscreen user interface, with multimedia graphics and easy-to-follow voice and visual prompts, and includes a signature-capture pad for completing credit-card transactions. It can also be equipped to accept coupons, deactivate electronic article surveillance tags and provide ATM-like functionality by dispensing cash back on debit-card transactions.

The first installations of the NCR FastLane Mini are scheduled for early in the third quarter of 2003.