SAVANNAH, Ga. — Enmarket has completed the installation of Skip Checkout, a mobile-based application that enables customers to scan and pay for their goods with their phones and “skip” the checkout line.
The technology is available in all 124 Enmarket stores, making it the nation’s largest convenience-store chain to adopt the technology thus far.
“Customers who have the free Skip Checkout app can scan their purchases with the lens on their phone, pay with the click of a button and flash their phone to the cashier on their way out the door, all without standing in line,” said Brett Giesick, president of Enmarket. “Even people who don’t use the app will benefit because this will speed up lines and enable our employees to work on even further improving the customer experience.”
Here’s a step-by-step rundown:
- Customers download the Skip Checkout app free from getskip.com or their preferred app store, create an account and link a payment card to begin using the technology. The app can be up and running in just a few minutes.
- When customers visit their Enmarket store, open the app. Once the customer confirms their location, as prompted by the app, they are ready to shop.
- Shoppers then scan the barcodes of the items to add them to their shopping cart, where they will be stored until the customer is ready to pay. Items such as fresh fruit or hot dogs that don’t have a barcode can be purchased through a pick-list in the app.
- Customers click the pay button to complete their transaction and charge their card. Then, on their way out of the store, customers flash their phone to employees at the cash register to show they’re using Skip, and they are on their way.
Age-restricted products such as beer may be scanned in the app, but those customers must still present their ID to the sales associate.
“The process is smooth from start to finish, and the app is very easy to figure out how to use,” said Callie McIntosh, an Enmarket customer. “Enmarket has really made it convenient to get in and out quickly. I use it every time I check out, and I still get a friendly acknowledgement from the employees on my way out the door.”
Enmarket employees received training to prepare for the rollout of the new technology. Employees are alerted every time a Skip shopper enters the store, and also when they have paid for their transaction, thanks to an iPad using Skip technology next to the cash register. Security features are built in as well.
“Convenience to our customers is fundamental to our business model,” said Giesick. “By investing in the latest technology, we are able to enhance that convenience. Customers can get in, get out and get on their way even faster with Skip Checkout. We’re thrilled to introduce this innovative technology to consumers in our markets. It has been very well-received by the customers and employees who have been a part of our initial test phase.”
Skip Checkout has integrated with multiple c-stores and suppliers, and it has set a goal to place its mobile checkout technology in 3,000 stores by the end of 2019.
Enmarket, based in Savannah, Ga., operates 124 convenience stores and 14 quick-service restaurants in Georgia. Enmarket is No. 75 on CSP’s 2018 Top 202 ranking of c-store chains by total number of company-owned retail outlets. It doubled its presence in the region last year with the acquisition of 34 E-Z Shop convenience stores in South Carolina and 35 Clyde's Markets in southeast Georgia.
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