SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Parker’s recently debuted new self-checkout technology at a convenience store in Pooler, Ga., and plans to expand the technology in locations where the tech will be beneficial.
“Our goal is always to deliver the ultimate in-store experience for our loyal customers,” said Greg Parker, Parker’s president and CEO. “This is an important step forward in our overall technology strategy at Parker’s and in meeting the changing needs of consumers.”
Parker’s completes more than 125,000 transactions daily at 54 c-stores in Georgia and South Carolina. Developed in conjunction with Duluth, Ga.-based NCR, the new self-checkout technology speeds up transaction time and frees up cashiers to serve as in-store concierges, enabling them to focus on the total customer experience.
“The customer feedback to the new self-checkout stations at our Pooler store has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Jeff Bush, COO of Parker’s, who led the development and implementation of the new self-checkout system.
Installing the self-checkout tech in the first unit cost about $100,000, according to Bush in a statement provided to the Savannah Morning News.
Lack of staff was the main impetus behind installing the new technology, Bush also told the newspaper. “We don’t have enough people,” he said. “We hear it each month.” Bush also said that Parker’s does not plan to reduce the number of employees in units that install the tech. Instead, it is meant to allow employees more time for tasks away from the register.
With headquarters in Savannah, Ga., Parker’s has 53 c-stores in southeast Georgia and South Carolina. The stores feature Parker’s Kitchen foodservice, PumpPal loyalty program and the Fueling the Community Program. Parker's is No. 128 in CSP's 2018 Top 202 ranking of c-store chains by number of company-owned retail outlets.
Photograph courtesy of Parker's
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