Lincolnshire Co-op

As consumer demand for faster, more convenient shopping experiences continued to grow, Lincolnshire Co-op identified an opportunity to introduce self-checkout technology across its convenience store estate.

Unlike many retailers deploying standard self-checkout systems from large manufacturers, Lincolnshire Co-op wanted a solution specifically designed around the needs of a convenience retail environment. The goal was to create a compact, modern self-checkout that complemented store aesthetics while enabling customers to complete purchases quickly and independently.

At the time, most self-checkout solutions on the market were large, bulky units supplied as complete proprietary systems by major vendors.

Lincolnshire Co-op wanted something different.

The organisation required a self-checkout solution that:

• Integrated seamlessly with its store design and branding
• Occupied a significantly smaller footprint than traditional systems
• Supported faster customer transactions and express checkout journeys
• Used open, non-proprietary hardware that could work with multiple technology partners
• Could be maintained and supported internally where possible

With more than 79 convenience stores, the solution also needed to be scalable and straightforward to support across the estate.

The Solution

Working collaboratively with Lincolnshire Co-op, BOXTEC developed an innovative all-in-one self-checkout platform built around an integrated Panel PC, scanner and receipt printer.

A key design feature was the introduction of a portrait-oriented touchscreen, making it one of the first self-checkout solutions of its kind to adopt this approach.

The portrait screen enabled a much slimmer, more ergonomic design than traditional landscape self-checkout terminals, allowing the solution to fit naturally within convenience store environments while maintaining a modern customer interface.

The resulting solution incorporated:

• Customer touchscreen interface
• Integrated barcode scanning
• Receipt printing
• Payment technology
• Visual alerting and lane status indicators
• Compact, convenience-store-friendly footprint

The final design aligned closely with Lincolnshire Co-op’s store image while providing all the functionality required for a seamless self-service experience.

One of the distinguishing factors of the project was BOXTEC’s open hardware approach.

Rather than locking the retailer into a proprietary ecosystem, the solution enabled collaboration across multiple technology partners, ensuring Lincolnshire Co-op could tailor the system to meet its operational requirements.

BOXTEC also provided training to Lincolnshire Co-op’s internal support team, enabling them to carry out first-line maintenance and break-fix activities themselves. This helped reduce operational costs while ensuring a rapid response to any issues that arose in store.

Delivering Measurable Results

The self-checkout rollout proved highly successful.

Lincolnshire Co-op saw a significant increase in self-service transactions, with customers quickly embracing the ability to complete purchases independently.

The solution delivered:

• Faster transaction processing
• Increased self-service adoption
• Improved customer convenience
• Greater staff productivity
• More efficient use of store space
• Consistent technology across stores

By enabling express checkout within its convenience locations, Lincolnshire Co-op was able to improve the overall customer experience while freeing colleagues to focus on supporting shoppers elsewhere in the store.