News

Moltin launches self-checkout tech for retail, pop-up events

April 5, 2019

Moltin, a digital commerce developer, is debuting a self-checkout technology that will allow retailers to operate their own 'Amazon Go' environment at pop-up stores and physical retail outlets but with a twist.

The company demonstrated the technology in a New York City Stance store in late 2018, according to a press release. Customers use smartphones to scan product QR codes, or enter a short url, and then scan barcodes on product tags, without needing an app. They then check out with their preferred payment method. The Amazon Go approach relies on the Amazon app and users must have an Amazon account.

"The global availability launch is a pre-built solution so that any brand or retailer can take and deploy "as-is" and does not require any customization," Greg Lord, Moltin vice president of marketing, told Mobile Payments Today via an email. "They simply sync product inventory and they are up and running."

The API lets the technology integrate seamlessly with POS systems, payment gateways, catalogs and other systems. Customers can pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay or a credit card.

Moltin also tested the technology with a Deckers pop-up location, according to the release.

Lord said testing revealed two important lessons. First, store signage is important as store managers need to strike a balance between letting customers know the self-checkout is available and yet not be too aggressive in announcing the technology. He said the pop-up solution illustrated the different ways to deploy the technology for events.

He stressed the goal is not to create a cashless experience with no staff at the cashier.

"Rather they are using the self-checkout solution to provide a better customer experience by getting their staff out from behind the counter and engaging with customers on the store floor," he said.