Asia PR News

AUCKLAND, Jan. 31 /MediaNet International-AsiaNet/ –

More than 1.3 million New Zealanders "mini shop", or head to a store as
often as three or more times a week to purchase a few items. Whether it was to
buy perishables or impulse shop, getting in and out of the store as quickly as
possible is a clear priority for the nation of mini shoppers. As New Zealanders
hit the shops more often it’s no surprise that more than two-thirds (69 per
cent) of New Zealanders have experienced frustrating delays in stores in the
past four weeks. As a consequence of these delays, 84 per cent of New Zealand
consumers would like to serve themselves, so much so that over half the
population (over 15 years of age) would be likely to choose a store that
offered self-service over one that did not.

It might also be worth mentioning that NCR is currently in discussions with
New Zealander retailers about NCR’s self-checkout technology, NCR FastLane.
More news on this soon!

For further information or to speak with a spokesperson regarding research
NCR commissioned by Galaxy Research, please contact Skye Eggleton on + 61 2
8281 3827 or + 61 414 564 675 or Leila Sabbagh +61 403 306 327 email
pr@howorth.com.au. If you would like to arrange something for this afternoon or
tomorrow morning give us a call.

New Zealand "Mini Shoppers" Favour Self- Service at the Checkout

People shopping frequently for a few items see benefits of self-service

"Mini shops," or visits to a store as often as three or more times a week
to purchase a few items, is the growing trend in New Zealand. A survey of
shoppers in New Zealand aged 15 and above, conducted by Galaxy Research for
retail technology company NCR Corporation, shows that mini shops are now the
norm, with 96 per cent of New Zealanders aged 15 years and above visiting a
store at least once a week for a mini shop, to buy just a few items.

More than 1.3 million New Zealanders (42 per cent of the total 15 plus
population) do a mini shop three or more times a week, the survey found. This
shopping phenomenon is widespread across all age groups, throughout the North
Island and the South Island, as well as in both white collar and blue collar
homes. It mirrors similar research findings from other parts of the world,
including Australia, where a recent Galaxy Research poll found that "mini
shops" are also the norm there, with 92 per cent of Australian adults, 15 plus,
visiting a store at least once a week for a short visit just to buy a few
items. Interestingly, a study in the UK showed that more than 50 per cent of
those polled in the same age group "mini shopped" at least three or more times
a week.

In New Zealand, some of the main reasons cited for these frequent visits
are to get in and out of a store as quickly as possible for people for whom
time is scarce (29 per cent).

Buying fresh perishable items, such as meat, milk and bread (not
surprisingly) is a priority for 56 per cent of the respondents, while impulse
shopping scored 29 per cent. There are also times of the year where quick
shopping trips are a must - times like Christmas when the stores are teeming
with shoppers; 39 per cent of New Zealanders just want to be in and out of
shops quickly in that period.

Not more than two-thirds (69 persurprisingly, as with shoppers
around the world, cent) of New Zealanders have experienced frustrating delays
in stores in the past four weeks- especially over the Christmas shopping
period. Also, not surprisingly, those that visit the store the most for their
mini-shops are more likely to experience delays during normal busy shopping
periods. As a consequence of these delays, 84 per cent of New Zealand consumers
are interested in using self-service shopping as an alternative – a feature
that is gaining increasing popularity around the world.

Those that mini-shop the most are extremely aware of the benefits that
self-service shopping can provide. Approximately 1.7 million New Zealanders
(53per cent of the 15-plus population) would be likely to choose a store that
offered self-service. Areas where interest in self-service is high include:

* To check prices in the store (49 per cent)
* To locate items in the store (47 per cent)
* At the checkout at a supermarket (40 per cent)
* To pre-order items from areas such as the deli counter and pay at the
self-checkout counter (35 per cent)
* To order an item that is not in stock on the day at a particular store
(34 per cent).

Parents with young children are particularly keen to use self-service for
the convenience factor and to save time. Not only are they more likely to
experience delays (74 per cent) than those without children (66 per cent), many
said they are interested in doing something about it, including checking prices
themselves (54 per cent), locating items in the store (49 per cent) and
pre-ordering items (41 per cent).

Evison, Self-Service DirectorGeoff of NCR’s Retail Solutions
Division, Asia Pacific Region, said: "We’ve had self-service at the petrol
station and the Automated Teller Machine for years, both of which offer
convenience to the customer.

"Self-checkout in retail is becoming an increasingly popular method of
speeding up the shopping process and increasing customer satisfaction,
particularly in the northern hemisphere. For example, in the US and UK large
retail environments, such as do-it-yourself home improvement, general
merchandise and grocery retail formats are implementing self checkout options
for their customers. Consumers value the convenience self-service can provide
at the checkout and throughout the store."

Self-service technology, such as airline check-in are also widely used in
the travel industry, and there is a growing trend for hotel chains to provide
guests the option of bypassing assisted check-in and doing it themselves to
save time. "Offering shoppers the option of self-service in the retail store is
an effective way of making the shopping experience more convenient, especially
for those for whom time is a premium, Evison said."

The research in New Zealand also showed shoppers, 67 per cent among those
aged 15-24 years, are more likely to use a store with self-service than those
aged 50 years and above (43 per cent). Residents in Auckland, Christchurch and
Wellington are also more interested in the self-service technology than
shoppers in smaller cities or rural areas.

The research also suggests a difference in the attitude towards shopping
between younger and older New Zealanders. At the younger end, those aged 15-34
years feel the most frustrated by delays in stores and this, together with
their interest and adoption of technology generally, makes them the most
interested in self-service shopping.

About NCR Corporation
NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) is a leading global technology company helping
businesses build stronger relationships with their customers. NCR’s Teradata®
data warehouses and ATMs, retail systems and IT services provide Relationship
Technology™ solutions that maximize the value of customer interactions and help
organizations create a stronger competitive position. Based in Dayton, Ohio,
NCR (www.ncr.com) employs approximately 28,200 people worldwide.

NCR, NCR EasyPoint, NCR FastLane, NCR RealPOS, NCR RealPrice, NCR RealScan,
NCR RealSolutions and Teradata are trademarks or registered trademarks of NCR
Corporation in the United States and other countries.

Source: NCR