A grand finale: retailers flocked to the last Marketechnics show in search of technology to benefit both their operations and their shoppers.

BUILDING ON ITS PROMISE OF "SMART TECHNOLOGY, BRILLIANT RESULTS," THE FOOD MARKETING INSTITUTE'S 14TH AND LAST MARKETECHNICS CONVENTION DELIVERED WORKSHOPS AND AN EXHIBIT FLOOR DEDICATED TO TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS THAT CAN ENHANCE THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE, REDUCE OPERATING COSTS AND PROVIDE A MORE SECURE ENTERPRISE.

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Beginning in 2007, Marketechnics will be merged into FMI's annual show and convention, which is held in Chicago each May.

Many supermarket executives attended in search of ways to differentiate their brands in a highly competitive marketplace, and many of them were looking at solutions that promised to improve shopper satisfaction, increase shopping baskets and boost sales.

As chains try to integrate existing customer-facing devices with new options, they are often challenged with issues of interoperability. Fujitsu Transaction Solutions offered its Pervasive Retailing framework as a way to eliminate these snags. The Frisco, Texas-based company used Marketechnics as a forum to reinforce its transition away from being a technology provider and toward being a solution provider.

"The framework not only enables retailers to take advantage of the solutions we feature in our product suite, but it also enables chains to extend the life of their existing IT," A Edward Soladay, executive vice president and COO, said at the show. "We ensure that all of the pieces work together. Grocers can select their priorities on their own terms and within their own time frame."

The Portuguese supermarket Sonae is using the Pervasive Retailing platform. By integrating its U-Scan self-checkout units with Fujitsu's V-POS virtual point-of-sale software, Sonae is enhancing communications between POS and the self-checkout system. The roll-out, which took less than 60 days, was complete in November.

KIOSK CONVENIENCE

Chains are renewing their interest in kiosks thanks to new, multi-functional units that provide shoppers with more convenience and value. For example, the Matthias MoneyBoard (MMB) kiosk aims to expedite the consumer's shopping trip while helping grocers to increase basket sizes.

The unit operates software that was co-developed by Atlanta-based NCR and Minneapolis-based Matthias MoneyBoard, Inc. MMB is programmed to display 72 discounted products on an intuitive touchscreen. As shoppers input their selections on the screen, the unit prints discount coupons, each displaying the aisle that features the item.

MMB, which was introduced at Marketechnics, is currently installed at two Supervalu stores, according to John T. Matthias, MMB president and CEO. "The stores report more than a 14% increase in shopping baskets," he said. "By giving consumers fast, clear directions to the featured merchandise's aisles, the stores say consumers are spending between $5 and $6 more during each visit."

Currently, 50 manufacturers are participating in the program. Retailers can also feature their private label merchandise on the kiosk.

Supervalu earns 15 cents per redemption from MMB, compared to the eight cents received from traditional paper-based coupon redemptions, Matthias said.

The GoCook Center, from Buffalo, N.Y.-based ShoptoCook, a touchscreen kiosk that is typically located along the perishables perimeter, delivers recipes and meal-planning ideas.

ShoptoCook used Marketechnics to introduce its Recipe-for-$ales Platform, a digital signage interface that enhances the information available on the kiosk. By interfacing the platform with digital signage, retailers can show video clips that correspond to merchandise featured on the kiosk display.

"We understand the world of the shopper and the world of technology," said CEO Frank Beurskens. "We continue to develop new media-based applications for the perishable perimeter with the goal of engaging the consumer in the shopping experience."

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The exhibit floor also featured kiosk options for alleviating bottlenecks at customer-service counters. For example, the NextService module from Agilysys is a customer-facing mini-kiosk that can display graphics of merchandise, distribute targeted coupons and facilitate customer price checks. The solution's newest application enables shoppers to print rain checks for out-of-stock merchandise.

"Shoppers scan their loyalty card at the unit's bar code reader, and they touch a graphic of the item that is out of stock," said Marty W. Trull, mobile and wireless solutions manager. "The unit's printer creates a rain check, thus eliminating traffic at the customer service desk."

HELP AT THE FRONT END

Agilysys also debuted NextManager, a new application for its NextVision suite. NextManager is a mobile solution that enables managers to monitor inventory levels and price changes and to print shelf labels on the fly. With the addition of its new override application, mangers can use the handheld unit to remotely conduct overrides.

For those looking for more accuracy and security at the front end, the new generation of the NCR RealScan 76 bioptic scanner promises to increase cashier productivity while adding efficiency and protection during checkout.

The scanner is a joint venture between Boca Raton, Fla.-based ADT Security Services and NCR. Two integrated Sensormatic Ultra-Max anti-theft tag deactivators extend the unit's deactivation ranges, reducing false product identifications and scan failures, and improving cashier productivity and throughput.

"By increasing deactivation performance, we are enabling retailers to boost customer satisfaction and operational efficiencies at the checkout," said Greg Egan, NCR's vice president of assisted service solutions.

LOWERING PAYMENT COSTS

As interchange rates continue to climb, chains are exploring lower-cost options. Debitman, an electronic payment network for retailer-issued debit cards, hopes to be one of them.

Both Binghamton Giant and Homeland Stores are using Chico, Calif.-based Debitman's Retailer Network to support their own private label cards.

"Supermarkets have introduced ACH debit cards in the past, but they could only be used at the issuing locations," said R. Scott Hatfield, Debitman's president. "By leveraging our network, grocers can convert their store-branded cards from a cost center to a profit center."

Similarly, NCR hopes to ease the pain of accepting checks with its check-imaging solution. By adding an imager either in the lane or in the back office, grocers are in a better position to have accurate deposits and clear audit trails.

NCR's ImageMark Commercial. Passport consists of the imaging unit and software. Upon scanning a check through the imager, the software transfers the image to a dedicated file. The recognition rate of approximately 80% is helping grocers improve the accuracy of their deposits and strengthen their relationships with banking partners.

"Retailers can recover their investment within 12 months," said Bob Raterman, director of ImageMark Capture Products, NCR Payment and Imaging Solutions Group.

COMBATING SHRINK

The show also provided many options for reducing shrink across the enterprise. Trax Software of Scottsdale, Ariz., known for its SmartStore suite, introduced its SmartStore integrated dashboard at Marketechnics.

With the SmartStore suite integrated on a Web-based dashboard, supermarkets have real-time access to all loss-prevention and store operations.

"We are delivering business intelligence by delivering measurable, actionable data information," said Ron Southard, executive vice president. "The solution raises the intelligence bar of everyone. With a real-time view in operations levels, chains can achieve their best performance levels without having to sift through stale, cumbersome paper-based spreadsheets."

Boots, a drug chain based in the United Kingdom, added the suite last summer. Currently, the dashboard measures operations across 1,500 stores. Ahold and Supervalu are also installing the solution, Southard said.