Self-Checkout Systems Gain Ground in German Retail

These systems are especially favored for quick purchases involving fewer than ten items, helping shoppers avoid long queues, Lebensmittelpraxis reports. The availability of self-checkout options has also expanded: 86% of respondents reported encountering such systems in their surroundings, up from 73% in 2024.

When it comes to payment, the Girocard dominates: 56% of users pay with it, either physically or via smartphone or smartwatch. Cash plays a minor role at just 12%, while 27% opt for credit cards.

However, age-restricted products like tobacco, alcohol, or video games pose a challenge. 35% of respondents avoid self-checkout when buying such items, with 81% citing the inconvenience of waiting for staff approval. Over half of users have experienced manual age verification, and 37% found it disruptive.

To address this, Euro Kartensysteme promotes a Girocard feature that enables automatic age verification during payment. This option was positively received by 53% of respondents, rising to 68% among those under 30. Nearly one-third said they would use self-checkout more often if age checks were automated.

Retailers benefit from reduced staff workload and more efficient processes, while customers enjoy shorter wait times—making self-checkout a win-win solution for modern shopping.