Welcome to the “Retail Engineering” Blog.
New perspectives. Clear insights. Practical solutions.
Here you will find regular posts, expert commentary and concise analyses on modern retail technologies:
Self-checkouts, EAS and RFID systems, fraud prevention, age verification, ergonomics and accessibility, technical standards and regulatory requirements.
In short: Everything that helps to develop innovative and future-proof solutions for the retail sector.
Experience becomes a method. And sometimes, so do mistakes.
Learn from success. Even more from mistakes. Discover how the Multi-Level Approach (MLA) grew out of practical experience – and why complex self-service projects need more than structure: clear responsibility, customer focus and the courage to embrace change.
Someone has to hold it all together.
Five levels, many stakeholders – but who takes responsibility for the bigger picture? Why even excellent individual solutions do not necessarily create a successful self-service system, and how end-to-end ownership brings the five levels of the Multi-Level Approach together.
Identify risks. Prevent shrinkage. Why loss prevention starts long before roll-out.
Loss prevention starts long before a self-checkout system goes live. Discover why effective shrinkage prevention requires more than cameras, security scales and alarms – and how the Multi-Level Approach brings together data, processes, usability and security.
Measure. Understand. Manage. Why data and usage in self-service belong together
Self-service does not become better through technology alone. Only when systems are connected, relevant data is available and actual usage is understood can processes be improved in a targeted way. The third article in the MLA series shows why Network & Analytics and Usability & Customer Experience belong together.
How an MLA project starts: Goals first. Technology later.
Self-service projects should not start with technology selection. First, the goals, starting point and required project depth need to be clear. The Multi-Level Approach provides this structure by linking strategic decisions with the design of the SCO zone before technology and investment choices are made.
Rethinking Self-Service: Structure first. Invest later.
Self-service is not a standalone solution. The Multi-Level Approach (MLA) connects decision-making, structure, connectivity, usage and risk management into one project logic. Why structure needs to come before investment.
Which self-service solution is right for which store?
SCO, Self-Scanning, Smart Shopper or Scan & Go? The right self-service solution depends not on the most advanced technology, but on the store format, customers, processes, space and risk profile.
Self-Service must be understood. Metrics show where the process breaks down.
Self-service cannot be assessed by usage rates, transaction speed or installed technology alone. Operational data such as interventions, abandoned transactions, waiting times and recurring errors reveal where processes work – and where closer analysis is needed.
SCO attendant: Why people are crucial to self-checkouts
Self-checkout does not work through technology alone. The SCO attendant connects the customer, technology and process – and is therefore a key success factor for smooth operations, effective support and Loss Prevention.
Self-Order Terminals and accessibility: If users are not considered, they cannot order.
Self-order terminals can reduce waiting times, relieve pressure on staff and simplify ordering processes. But they only work well when as many people as possible can use them independently. Accessibility therefore starts not only with operating height, but also with menu structure, language, contrast, touch targets and time limits
