Tesco Lotus Launches First Self Service Checkout in Thailand

20130322-075227.jpg
Tesco Lotus has launched their first self service checkout in Thailand. This pilot scheme has been launched at Chamchuri Square in Bangkok. Although many Tesco stores have had self service checkouts for years in the UK, I’m not sure how popular they will be in Thailand where we are still used to service with a smile. When I shop at Foodland there is someone to pack my bags and then carry them out to my car if I want. The last time I went back to the UK, it took me a moment to realise that I was supposed to put the items in the bag myself. I saw the self service checkouts but didn’t dare to try.

What’s next for Thailand? Self service petrol pumps? Who will wash our windscreen or check our tyre pressure? But seriously, do you think the “self-service” concept will work in Thailand? If it does become popular, how many people will lose their jobs?

RT @LekNBC: “เทสโก้ โลตัส” เปิดบริการช่องชำระเงินด้วยตัวเอง แห่งแรกในไทย http://t.co/Siwcs3q4Hi

10 thoughts on “Tesco Lotus Launches First Self Service Checkout in Thailand

  • March 25, 2013 at 6:24 pm
    Permalink

    I have never used one of these machines here in the states and never will. Why? Two reasons. I am a people person first. Second, I despise companies which attempt to screw the last penny out of a worker for their labor or attempt to replace them like this.

    Reply
  • March 22, 2013 at 11:41 pm
    Permalink

    I never used these in the UK. My attitude is: if the cashier misses something, it’s a mistake; if I miss something, it’s shoplifting.

    Reply
  • March 22, 2013 at 3:14 pm
    Permalink

    Is it April 1st already?

    Reply
  • March 22, 2013 at 10:41 am
    Permalink

    We have had these self checkout things in Florida for a couple of years. It makes sense in the States, as the cheapest grocery store labor you are going to get is just shy of $8 an hour (Federally mandated minimum wage), so these machines will pay for themselves here fairly quickly. However in Thailand non-skilled labor of this type gets what? $8 per DAY? Why bother, I don’t suspect the customers care one way or the other as long as they can get out of the store with their goods as quickly as possible.

    Reply
  • March 22, 2013 at 10:26 am
    Permalink

    Tesco is all about profit, Ian, not about people. They are creating Tescopoly in the UK and sell everything imaginable whilst smaller businesses go to the wall. I refuse to shop there…..

    Reply
  • March 22, 2013 at 10:26 am
    Permalink

    Doesn’t make sense in a country that is so labor-intensive. Eliminating human jobs for the sake of automation is Lost In Translation here.

    Reply
  • March 22, 2013 at 10:26 am
    Permalink

    The time waiting in line will be longer esp. on weekends. Most customers won’t or can’t scan and bag as fast and efficient as the employees.

    Reply
  • March 22, 2013 at 10:25 am
    Permalink

    They’ll have to watch these checkouts like hawks. In the UK they are often abused with customers not scanning all items sometimes and getting away with it. RFID or not.

    Reply
  • March 22, 2013 at 8:14 am
    Permalink

    If self service came into effect, we would never have to buy garbage bags again, just pack another 10 bags each time when using the self service check out point 😉

    Seriously though, how can they actually check that you paid everything?

    Reply
    • March 22, 2013 at 8:22 am
      Permalink

      You have to use their bags and the computers through RFID know that there are items in the bags that haven’t been scanned.

      Reply

Leave a Reply to Camille Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *