SAM’s Groceria uses Motorola self-scan tech to improve customer experience

• Self-scanning set to revolutionise experience for shoppers in Asia, says Motorola partner
• Personal shopping system delivers vision of personalising every individual consumer’s experience

SAM’s Groceria, a premium urban grocer that recently launched in the northern Malaysian state of Penang, has partnered with Motorola Solutions to implement a personal shopping system called Sam’s Self Scan.
 
The objective is to accelerate the checkout process at the store, increase efficiency at point of sales and improve customer service, the two companies said in a statement.
 
The Personal Shopping System consists of Motorola Solutions portable handheld MC17 series mobile computers powered by Re-Vision BV, its global partner which specialises in self-scanning solutions.
 
“[This] unprecedented personal shopping system delivers the vision of personalising every individual consumer’s experience in the store with a dynamic interaction between the customer and the products,” said Anand Mehta (pic below), retail director of Motorola Solutions, Asia Pacific.
 
Equipped with this portable mobile computer device that comes with an integrated barcode scanner, customers will be able to perform self-scanning by scanning the barcode of the items they want to purchase, and placing the items direct into a shopping bag as they walk through the store aisles.
 
SAM’s Self Scan allows shoppers to then head to the nearest dedicated self-checkout counter. With all the necessary information already scanned into the device, they can swiftly pay for their purchases without having to wait in long queues or being burdened with unloading the shopping cart and re-bagging their purchases, helping to save time, Motorola said.
 
“Self-scanning is set to revolutionise the shopping experience for shoppers here in Asia,” said Michel Haagmans, Re-Vision chief executive officer.
 
“So far, we have seen our European retailers embracing the technology as their customers have shown a keen interest and acceptance in using it while recognising the immense benefits from the solution,” he added.
 
SAM’s shoppers will also be able to be a part of its loyalty programme, the SAM’s Family Card, which will be integrated with the latest technology to further enhance their shopping experience. By doing so, shoppers can look forward to the store’s exclusive offers and seasonal products, Motorola and SAM’s Groceria said.
 
In addition, as part of a service offered in collaboration with E-Pay, SAM’s shoppers will also be able to top up their mobile credits and pay their utility bills at the store’s cashier counters.
 
Another unique feature is that SAM’s offers capabilities for shoppers to also pay for their purchases via the use of Touch n Go cards.
 
In the near future, SAM’s Groceria plans to introduce an online shopping service to offer a more convenient shopping experience. After customers are done selecting and paying for their purchases, they will have the option of picking up their groceries from SAM’s customer care counter or arrange for them to be delivered to their doorstep.
 
Malaysia’s first SAM’s Groceria opened its doors at the Gurney Paragon Mall, Penang, on July 22. The official launch in late Sept was officiated by Hasan Malek, Malaysia’s Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives, and Consumerism. Also present at the launch was Ameer Ali Mydin, executive director of SAM’s Groceria and Khor Teng Tong, executive chairman of Hunza Properties Bhd.
 
With a total investment of RM34 million (US$10.6 million), SAM’s Groceria marks homegrown wholesale and retail giant MYDIN’s first venture into the high-end grocer segment. The store at Gurney Paragon is set to be the first of three premium grocers to open within the next year, with a second outlet, also in Penang, to open its doors by mid-2014.
 
The third will be launched within the second quarter of 2014 at an undisclosed location in Kuala Lumpur.
 
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