Automation is Part of the New Journey Retailers are reimagining the customer journey, and in 2023 automation plays a leading role behind the scenes creating organizations with fewer out-of-stock rates and a better-trained and trusted workforce empowered by real-time data. Automation also enhances the consumer experience. Although most customers like a blend of automation and human interaction, Retail Dive’s 2023 Future of Retail report shared that 73% of consumers actually prefer that local retailers use automation in at least one area of their shopping experience. At lottery retail, that automation is SCiQ. Now in the top seven North American convenience store chains, the company’s revolutionary SCiQ technology helps create a retail ecosystem developed in response to consumer and retailer demand. Always using data as the backbone to modernize the lottery category, the technology provides real-time inventory tracking both at the individual store level and chainwide – an industry rst. SCiQ’s digital menu board keeps games visible to shoppers and the auto-dispensing bins keep them secure from theft. Retailers bene t from easy shift reportingandautomated out-of-stock alerts. Kevin Howell, Director of Lottery for Par-Mar Stores, said “I really like the visual aspect of the dispensers. They are eye-catching and customer friendly. I also like the reporting so we can see where the out-of-stocks are because tickets aren’t sold out of empty bins. I am pleased that all managers in the stores where SCiQ has been installed love them, and visiting managers want one in their store.” Retail Dive’s report indicated that 44% of consumers want an automated tool to check product information or inventory. SCiQ lets them know if a game is in stock without asking a retail sta member, who would then have to stop what they are doing and manually check. But to engage players, digital menu boards require more than just displaying 4x4 game artwork. The board should be dynamic so it updates regularly, and it should feature large, clean game images, colorful backgrounds, and movement on the screen. “Digital menu boards are currently being utilized in 12% of our retail network. Having our products displayed on these boards has provided a dynamic and seamless experience for our players and retailers while also providing a substantial lift in sales at each location,” said Abby Morgan, Director of Marketing and Product Development for the Oklahoma Lottery. “With the modernization of our approach on display, we are positive that we’ll see continued success as we are able to add more digital menu boards throughout the network.“ It also allows the customer to experience lottery their way and at their own pace. Larry Vertal, North American Age Restricted Product Manager for Circle K, said, “SCiQ gives us the tools to be a best-in-class lottery retailer. We now use analytics to track our lottery sales and inventory, while also creating friendly competition within the business to drive improvement. Circle K has seen the successes of SCiQ through a faster and e cient sales process, which paired with inventory management, has led to greater customer satisfaction.” Expanding to self-service, SCiQ’s performance is also proving a signi cant opportunity to increase pro ts. Partnering with multiple lotteries and retailers, Scienti c Games has deployed a total of 4,500 Powered by SCiQ ecosystems in the U.S. with more than 125,000 camera-based instant game dispensers and fully integrated digital lottery displays. “With the enhanced player attraction, ease of use and actionable data; our SCiQ ecosystems o er, we have noted sales increases ranging from 15% to 50% in the rst 90 days compared to stores without the solution,” shared Martin.
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