Is a revolution in the way we shop on the horizon?
Today's shopping trends call for a simpler way of choosing and paying for goods and services.
Today's fast pace, shoppers' lifestyles and the recurring pandemic situation are changing the basic habits of how we buy and pay for goods. This applies not only online, but is also reflected in bricks-and-mortar shops and restaurants. During this time, many of you have grown used to buying more goods online, ordering food for home delivery and paying for everything contactlessly by payment card, watch or mobile phone. Service operators and retailers have already adapted to the current situation and shifted their offering to a lower-contact format.
Alongside e-shops and online ordering of services, self-service sales that replace serving staff are spreading through bricks-and-mortar premises all over the world. Although the pandemic situation eased again in the spring, these shopping habits are here to stay. After all, this way of shopping is not only safe but also cost-effective.
Ordering systems in McDonald's restaurants.
The concept of ordering food on the premises has changed too, both in restaurants and, for example, at filling stations. Here, for reasons of safety or to extend opening hours, staff are increasingly being supplemented by self-service kiosks or various ordering systems. This is also the case at McDonald's fast-food restaurants, where food is ordered on site using large interactive panels with our payment terminals, which we have been supplying to and managing for McDonald's restaurants for many years.
This system not only reduces contact time when buying food, helping to protect both customers and staff, but also greatly simplifies the ordering and payment process itself. Customers conveniently choose and order their food on large interactive panels, pay contactlessly at their leisure and then simply wait for their meal to be handed over by smiling staff. This fast and convenient ordering system is available to customers throughout the McDonald's restaurant network in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia was a key partner in this project. More information on ordering systems can be found here.
Mastercard introduces a new concept of self-service shopping.
In addition to ordering systems and other forms of self-service kiosks, a new concept of fully automated self-service shops is arriving in the Czech Republic. Behind it is not a big technology company, but a network of small shops familiar from small towns and villages in the Czech Republic and around the world.
One is already open in Strakonice, and a second, considerably larger one is getting ready to welcome customers in Český Krumlov in June. Have you shopped in a store like this yet? We would be delighted if you shared your experience with us.
Is a revolution in the way we shop on the horizon?
Modern self-service technologies used on business premises certainly make life easier for customers and staff alike. They speed up the sales process itself or replace staffed service altogether. A self-service kiosk or shop can operate outside opening hours, increasing the turnover of the outlet. What is more, it is a safe solution, and sometimes the only possible way to sell during pandemic restrictions. It will not take work away from staff; on the contrary, this modern technology will help them.
Innovation in self-service devices is on the rise, and many more technological advances undoubtedly lie ahead. We are pleased to be contributing to many of these innovations together with individual integrators, and we look forward to new ways of using self-service sales. All of these self-service sales areas can be found in the section Unattended devices.
