Motivation for Visiting the Showroom

I recently visited the “Smaregi” showroom in Ikebukuro. Smaregi applies iPads as the main terminal, allowing businesses to significantly reduce initial costs compared to traditional, expensive POS systems. The showroom displays various terminals, enabling visitors to operate the actual hardware and assess in detail whether the system would suit their store’s operations.

Background of Consideration

I visited the showroom because I am considering implementing the company’s self-checkout system for a school shop business we are planning. Japan faces a severe labor shortage due to its social structure, and we view staffing challenges as a significant risk for this project. Amidst this situation, self-checkout systems are gaining attention as a potential solution to the staffing problem.

Implementation Data and Current Adoption Trends

According to survey reports, the adoption rate of self-checkout systems in Japanese stores currently stands at 55.5%. When consumers were asked about their preferred payment methods at self-checkout kiosks, the results were: 1st place, “Credit Card” (47.2%); 2nd place, “PayPay” (43.4%); 3rd place, “Cash” (34.0%); and 4th place, “Rakuten Pay” (23.4%).*1

Until a few years ago, many consumers were bewildered by unmanned checkout counters; however, with nearly half of all stores now adopting self-checkout systems, consumers have become accustomed to using them without hesitation. Furthermore, by encouraging cashless payments—which are faster than cash transactions—stores can expect to improve their customer turnover rates.

For anyone operating a store in Japan today, considering the implementation of self-checkout systems has become essential.

Concerns Regarding Implementation and Countermeasures

On the other hand, there are concerns associated with introducing self-checkout systems. Shoplifting and implementation costs are the primary issues. However, viable solutions for these problems are beginning to emerge. Regarding shoplifting, strategic store layout design—such as creating traffic patterns that ensure staff responsible for stocking shelves frequently pass by the checkout area—can serve as an effective deterrent.

As for implementation costs, initial expenses have dropped significantly; POS systems utilizing affordable yet fully functional tablet devices (such as the aforementioned “Smaregi”) now support self-checkout capabilities. Additionally, businesses can take advantage of government grants and subsidies aimed at digitalization and AI adoption.

Conclusion

Needless to say, checkout operations are the most critical aspect of running a retail store. When developing a store, it is essential to select equipment that is appropriate for the specific location and operational needs. And for most stores in Japan, which face a labor shortage problem, adopting a self-check-out system is a reasonable option for both shop owners and consumers.

Resources

※1 SBペイメントサービス株式会社 https://www.sbpayment.jp/news/press/2025/20250318_001431/