Scotmid Co-op has enhanced customer experience (CX), streamlined store operations and future-proofed its estate with a modular, hybrid self-checkout solution from leading Point of Sale innovator, 4POS. 

Recognising shopper demand for fast, convenient and flexible checkout experiences, Scotmid, Scotland’s largest independent co-operative, sought to reduce checkout friction, improve customer service and optimise self-checkout (SCO) processes.  Investing in modernising its SCO, Scotmid selected Pan Oston + 4POS to deliver an assisted checkout model across its estate.

A hybrid approach 

The move saw 4POS deploy a hybrid solution, which allows shoppers to independently operate SCOs while dual, colleague-facing screens mean Scotmid staff can still step in to actively support the sale and elevate checkout experiences. 

“We were particularly impressed by the modular approach,” Allan Robertson, Procurement & Sustainability Manager at Scotmid Co-op, explained. “The fact that the same core hardware could be used across traditional tills and SCO created real flexibility, allowing us to model different store configurations and future-proof the estate.”

The collaborative approach saw the deployment completed smoothly, ahead of schedule and budget. “The relationship developed quickly, and from the outset it felt like a partnership and a joined-up team,” Robertson said. 

The retailer has now completed the rollout of the modular 4POS solution across 90% of its Scotmid Food stores as well as its discount Health & Beauty brand Semichem locations.  In addition to optimising its checkout operations, the deployment allows the co-operative to “retain the personal service that defines Scotmid,” Robertson added.  

Modularity future-proofs Scotmid’s store estate

The SCOs have also been set up to support loss prevention, with customer video captured on-screen. The solution also features a purple light that indicates when a payment is in progress, allowing colleagues to proactively offer support or mitigate potential walk-offs. 

In addition, the high-quality screens on the SCOs have also laid the foundation for incremental revenue opportunities across advertising and retail media while enhancing supplier engagement at the Point of Sale.

“Even at the proof-of-concept stage, our customers were confidently using the solution,” Robertson added. “We set a clear utilisation target of 30% across all transactions on assisted checkouts.  We have achieved our target and are focused on growing from that position.”

We have the ability in the future to convert traditional tills into assisted checkouts if adoption continues to grow, and that flexibility is critical in convenience retail, where store formats will continue to evolve.”

“Flexibility was central to Scotmid’s strategy for readying its estate for the future.  Its POS now gives it the agility to adapt store formats to meet current needs, while still allowing it to pivot towards new demands – quickly, easily and cost-effectively – as they evolve,” Craig Bevan, UK&I Country Manager at 4POS, commented.

“POS architecture now influences far more than checkout performance, acting as the lynchpin that defines the cost structure of store operations, the speed at which new technologies can be deployed and the resilience of frontline infrastructure.”

Despite its growing strategic importance, many retailers still manage their POS estates using procurement models designed for a different technological era.  

4POS’ latest report highlights how AI adoption, rising infrastructure costs and sustainability pressures are prompting retailers to rethink traditional POS architecture to ensure stores remain innovation ready.