Survey Finds Shoppers At Germany's METRO Group Welcome Self-Checkout

German consumers enjoy using self-checkout as an alternative to assisted-service lanes - and do so frequently, according to a recent survey of METRO Group shoppers commissioned by NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR). Fifty of METRO's Real hypermarkets and Extra supermarkets across Germany are equipped with NCR FastLane self-checkout.

Half of the survey participants reported using self-checkout every time they shop, even when traditional assisted-service checkout lanes were open with no waiting. Close to 88 percent reported self-checkout experience as "very positive" and 86 percent said they will "definitely" or "probably" use self-checkout again. Neither age nor gender had a significant influence on consumers' willingness to accept the new technology.

"The results of the survey are impressive proof that our customers appreciate the additional service provided by self-checkout," said Markus Jablonski, public relations manager for Extra. "During peak periods, there is less pressure on the staff at the traditional checkouts and all the customers spend less time waiting in line."

Seventy-six percent use self-checkout because they find being able to get their shopping done quickly is "important" or "very important." More than two-thirds believe they can complete their transactions more quickly when they do it themselves. In addition, 24 percent said they use NCR FastLane to avoid waiting in line at the traditional checkouts.

Twenty-five percent of shoppers surveyed using assisted-service lanes said they chose the traditional checkout because they were purchasing large numbers of items on sale, or large numbers of the same item. Half of the self-checkout customers were against limiting the number of items they can check out through these lanes, with 60 percent wanting the freedom to use shopping carts as well as baskets.

"The positive response of shoppers at Real and Extra shows that self-checkout provides our retail industry customers with a competitive edge," said Alberto Camuri, vice president of NCR Retail Solutions Division in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. "We intend to continue to analyze this information in detail so that we can help retailers configure future NCR FastLane installations in the most efficient and customer-pleasing manner."

The Survey
A total of 889 customers were interviewed after they had scanned, packed and paid for their purchases themselves at a self-checkout. Ninety additional customers were questioned after they had paid at a traditional checkout. The survey took place in the spring of 2005 at Real hypermarkets in Mainz, Munich and Ratingen, and at an Extra supermarket in Tostedt.

About Real/Extra
Real SB-Warenhaus GmbH, a company belonging to the METRO Group, operates hypermarkets under the brand of "Real" and supermarkets under the brand of "Extra." In fiscal year 2004, Real posted net sales of 8.2 billion and employed a full-time workforce of 34,800. At the same time, Extra posted net sales of 2.6 billion and employed a full-time workforce of 11,085. At the end of 2004, Real operated 306 hypermarkets in Germany, Poland and Turkey. At the same time, Extra operated 436 stores in Germany.

About METRO Group
The METRO Group is the third largest retail trading corporation in Europe and number five in the world. The company employs about 240,000 employees in 28 countries. The retail brands of the METRO Group are METRO Cash&Carry with the trademarks Metro and Makro, Real hypermarkets, Extra supermarkets, Media Markt and Saturn electronics markets, Praktiker DIY markets and Galeria Kaufhof department stores.

About NCR Corporation
NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) is a leading global technology company helping businesses build stronger relationships with their customers. NCR's ATMs, retail systems, Teradata data warehouses 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 28,300 people worldwide.