Self-Checkout

Self-checkout (a self-service register) is a checkout system in which customers themselves scan product barcodes, bag their items, and pay, without going through a store clerk. With the aims of reducing labor costs, shortening checkout wait times, and offering contactless service, it is spreading rapidly in supermarkets, convenience stores, drugstores, and other stores.

QR codes are used in several situations at self-checkouts. QR code payment (PayPay, Rakuten Pay, and others) is one of the main payment methods at self-checkouts. A function that awards points by scanning the QR code of a point card is also standard. With the spread of the GS1 QR Code, the barcode scanning of products itself may also shift to QR codes.

In fully unstaffed stores, systems have also appeared in which you are authenticated by scanning a QR code on entry, and payment is made automatically just by picking up products and leaving the store. It is the ultimate self-checkout experience, with the QR code handling all of entry authentication, product identification, and payment.