Dive Brief:

• Diebold Nixdorf, a provider of self-service solutions to merchants, has introduced an ultra-thin self-checkout device for the retail market that it says can be deployed as a self-checkout machine, point-of-sale terminal or ATM machine in any environment.

• The Extreme Self-Checkout Concept is less than 10 inches (25 centimeters) wide, supports cash card and contactless payments, and integrates an EMV chip reader to help mitigate card fraud.

• The solution will debut publicly at this year's National Retail Foundation Big Show, taking place Jan. 15-17 in New York City.

Dive Insight:

This concept of self-checkout itself is certainly nothing new, and many retailers have deployed self-checkout systems. However, that hasn’t stopped a number of companies, including Amazon and Panasonic, from trying to further improve and streamline self-checkout to make it a virtually touchless and line-less process. (And why not, when many of us use self-checkout to get out of a store quickly, but then are delayed because the machine insists a stray item is in the bagging area, or that alcohol requires a special code before it can be paid for?)

The Extreme Self-Checkout Concept works with Diebold Nixdorf's TPiSHOP mobile application. According to the company's press release, retailers are able to connect the consumer's complete shopping experience, from the home planning phase forward: Shoppers are able to use their retailer's mobile app to build lists and receive suggestions on the fastest route through the store, complete with personalized ads and location-based purchase recommendations. Consumers scan the items they wish to purchase using their mobile device, and once their shopping is complete, they can bypass traditional self-checkout lines via the Extreme Self-Checkout Concept and exit the store (an approach bringing to mind the checkout-free Amazon Go convenience store pilot in Seattle).

Diebold Nixdorf's solution seems to be ideal for merchants that don’t have a huge amount of space to work with in their checkout areas, as well as those that might be setting up pop-up shops on the fly, or just might require additional checkout options at times of heightened customer traffic. But it's also clear with the mobile app connection that this new system is just one more enabling piece in helping retailers create a smooth omnichannel experience for customers.

In addition to all of its other features and functions, the Extreme Self-Checkout Concept also allows retailers to offer other special capabilities, including cash back, check cashing and bill pay services.The abundance of functions in a system like this could be the key to getting it into stores: Some retailers may not feel they are on the hunt for a low-profile, streamlined checkout system, but when it does everything and more than your current system, it might be hard to ignore.