THE first self-serve check-outs are in the process of being installed in the Millicent Woolworths supermarket.
Such facilities are becoming commonplace at larger supermarkets around the nation.
Once completed, Millicent shoppers will have the choice of either going to the traditional manned check-out or scanning their own purchases and then paying for them.
Over a dozen specialised shop-fitters have been working after-hours at the Davenport Street premises in recent days and some other improvements to the store have been made.
The installation of the self-serve check-outs is the most significant change to the premises since it underwent a $2.65m expansion in 2002.
Since its opening in 1970, Woolworths has been one of the largest single-site employers in the Millicent township.
There are currently 70 employees at the supermarket and Ashlee Ferguson has been its manager for just over a year.
Meanwhile, Fosters Foodland store manager Dave Foster said the installation of self-service check-outs was not something under consideration at his Millicent supermarket.
“Our business is about customer service and has been ever since we began with our first store at Rendelsham in 1946,” Mr Foster said.
“You cannot get customer service at a self-service check-out”.
Customer Peter Hockey said he put a high regard on the personal shopping experience at the Kentish Place premises.
“You cannot beat the old-fashioned face-to-face service,” Mr Hockey said.
Eudunda Farmer chairman Bill Schuller of Millicent also said there were no plans to have self-serve check-outs at the Millicent IGA supermarket in George Street.
His company operates 22 supermarkets across regional South Australia and none have self-service check-outs.
“We believe in providing our customers with personal service,” Mr Schuller said.
“We like to address all their needs by communicating with them.
“We have investigated the introduction of self-serve check-outs and sought the views of customers.
“They have said the existing check-outs are quick enough.
“Nobody has said they want self-serve check-outs.
“If the demand from customers was there, we would consider it.”
