Study shows increasing consumer use of self-service checkouts

NEW YORK The age of the cashier may be declining.

A new study released Friday by Packaged Facts found that Americans spent $548 billion at self-service checkout kiosks for groceries, DVDs, photo services and airline tickets last year. The company expects sales to grow to $1.2 trillion in four years.

Companies are using self-serve payment systems to save on labor costs, meet customer demand and stay ahead technologically, according to an abstract of the report, titled “The Self-Service “Buy-and-Pay” Market: Kiosk, Vending and Foodservice Trends in the U.S.”

The report was based on primary and secondary research. Packaged Facts is a market research firm operating out of New York and Rockville, Md., that specializes in the areas of food and beverages, packaged goods and demographics and is a division of Market Research Group.