Father-and-son team Karl and Ross Hunter, from Spar Lanark Way convenience store and forecourt in Belfast, have overcome ‘significant’ operational challenges since integrating new technology via their EdgePoS system.
Staffing shortages were a primary concern, especially during peak hours, leading to long queues and inefficient service. Cash transactions were labour intensive, requiring substantial staff time and effort to address shortages and discrepancies, which diverted attention from customer-facing roles. These inefficiencies hindered the store’s ability to meet customer expectations and maintain operational smoothness.
Ross Hunter says the introduction of ESELs (electronic shelf-edge labels) has revolutionised pricing and promotional management at the site.
“Previously, price updates were manual, error prone and time consuming, often resulting in mislabelling and customer dissatisfaction. With ESELs, price adjustments are accurate, efficient and instantaneous, reducing staff workload and eliminating confusion over product pricing. This technology has freed staff to focus on higher value tasks, enhancing both customer service and in-store promotions.”
Meanwhile, the deployment of self-checkout systems has significantly improved customer flow and reduced wait times. By automating the checkout process, the Hunters have reallocated staff to other critical areas, increasing efficiency and enhancing the shopping experience. Currently, 70-75% of transactions are processed through self-checkout, a high adoption rate supported by robust staff training and effective peak-time management.
Finally, the integration of the Glory CI-10X system has addressed several cash-handling challenges. It has streamlined cash management, reducing losses and improving accuracy while enhancing security. Ross Hunter has great confidence in the system, so much so that he has had no hesitation in recommending it to other retailers considering similar upgrades. Looking ahead, he plans to further leverage Glory’s technology to optimise cash processes and align future investments with operational efficiencies.
Darren Nickels, retail technology operations director at Henderson Technology, says: “Spar Lanark Way illustrates the significant benefits of integrating self-checkouts, ESELs and Glory’s cash recycling solution in a retail environment. By addressing staffing challenges, improving customer experience and enhancing cash handling processes, the store has not only optimised its operations but also positioned itself for future growth in a competitive market.”
