Supermarkets are one of the most common businesses that use price checkers. However, supermarket owners may find it difficult to choose the right machines for their business. Because of this, resellers need to identify the main criteria in selecting the best price verifier for a supermarket.
From barcode scanners to the level of customization, we’ll discuss how to choose the best price verifier for a supermarket.
Key Features for Price Checkers in Supermarkets
When choosing a price verifier for a supermarket, its features should fit the business’s needs. The right price checker for a supermarket should support daily operations and provide convenience to customers. These are factors that will determine whether a price checker is the right fit for a supermarket.
Accurate Barcode Scanner
Caption: A price checker mounted on a shopping cart in a supermarket [Image: Bimi Price Kiosk]
Barcode scanning is one of the main functions of a price verifier. To check an item’s price, the product barcode must be read by the barcode scanner. The best price checker for a supermarket should have a 1D/2D barcode scanner that:
- Accurately reads barcodes in different light conditions
- Scans barcodes at a distance
- Reads various barcode symbologies
A high-quality barcode scanner typically uses LED or laser light to read barcodes. The emitted light must be powerful enough to illuminate the barcode even in low-light areas of a supermarket.
Sometimes, barcodes can be difficult to read, especially if they’re damaged or on frozen goods. A good barcode scanner for your business should read illegible barcodes to match them to the right products.
Barcode scanners are commonly built into price checkers. The scanner’s LED, or laser light, enables it to read barcodes even from a distance. This is helpful for customers who are scanning multiple items and bringing them to the machine from their shopping carts.
Reads a Wide Range of Barcode Symbologies
The products in supermarket aisles have different barcode types or symbologies. The unique combinations of numbers, spaces, lines, and other patterns have corresponding product information in a supermarket’s database.
Regardless of the inventory size of the supermarket, a barcode scanner should support a wide range of barcode symbologies. A price checker’s 1D/2D scanner should be able to read these common barcode types:
- Universal Product Code (UPC)
- European Article Number (EAN)
- Code 128
- Code 39
- Data Matrix
- QR Code
- Aztec Code
Touchscreen Display
Caption: A price verifier with a 10.1-inch screen [Image: Bimi Price Checker]
Price checkers require screens to display an item’s price. The ideal screen for a price verifier should have a crisp, high-resolution display. This enables customers to have a high-quality view of a product’s price and information anywhere in a supermarket.
Furthermore, a machine with a capacitive touch display allows customers to browse more information about an item. This enhances their user experience and enables business owners to display promotional media seamlessly.
Quick and easy self-service price verification is one of the main benefits of a price checker. It also enables employees to focus on their other tasks. The best price-checker manufacturers design their touch panels with fast response times, such as 0.5 milliseconds.
Screen Size
Caption: A price checker with a 5-inch touch screen & POE Model POS-0098 [Image: Bimi Price Verifier]
A price verifier’s screen size should also be considered when selecting the best machine for a business. The screen size of a machine determines its:
- Portability
- Potential placements
- Visibility
Portable price checkers typically have smaller screen sizes. A 7-inch price checker can be easily attached to shopping carts. Its smaller screen contributes to its portability. On the other hand, a 5-inch or 10-inch model is better suited to be placed on a wall, shelf, or countertop.
The price checker’s screen size also enables business owners to maximize the use of their store’s floor area. These machines can be attached to stands and mounts so businesses can strategically place them in busy areas.
Network Connection
A consistent network connection ensures product prices are synchronized between the price checkers and the business’s database. While most price checkers support Wi-Fi, this may not be enough if the store’s internet connection is down.
Ethernet
Ethernet connections enable businesses to transmit data to and from their price checkers even without an internet connection. For these setups, a Local Area Network (LAN) cable is connected to an Ethernet port.
Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) is another way businesses can continuously connect to their network. Because it’s connected to Ethernet, you can still synchronize information across your network even without an internet connection. However, the availability of PoE depends on your device’s operating system.
Operating System
Your price checker’s operating system determines its flexibility. Here are the common systems you’ll see:
- Android
- Windows
- Linux
- iPadOS
Android and Windows devices are the most common among these operating systems. Whether you choose Android or Windows, you’ll have a lot of models to choose from.
Additional features, such as PoE and extensive configurations, differ across operating systems. PoE is commonly found in Android machines and is often an optional feature on Windows.
A price checker’s integrations and advanced configurations also depend on its operating system. The most customizable among these systems is Linux. If you prefer a Linux device, you may need to contact the manufacturer directly.
Ease of Use
Aside from its flexibility, the operating system you’ll choose affects its ease of use. While this depends on the users themselves, Android has a more intuitive interface.
If you’re looking to switch from one operating system to another, consider the data migration process as well. Migrating data from your old operating system to a new one can be challenging. You may need to consider hiring a professional to handle this process.
Level of Customization
Caption: A price checker mounted on a wall in a supermarket [Image: Bimi Price Checker Model POS-0096]
Price checkers can do more than just verify prices. You can integrate various software to expand its capabilities. Moreover, you can also use it to play promotional videos and boost your supermarket’s branding.
Integrations
As mentioned above, your price checker’s operating system determines its level of customization. Adding integrations enables your price checker to seamlessly connect with other systems. For a price verifier in a supermarket, you can add integrations for:
- Price monitoring
- Inventory management
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
- Customer loyalty program
- Sales tracking
- Point-of-Sale (POS)
The right price checker for a supermarket should integrate with the systems you currently use. Moreover, it should be able to scale with your business as your operations grow.
Branding
A supermarket’s price checkers also help boost brand awareness. These devices can play promotional videos or slideshows to boost the customers’ awareness about the business.
A great price checker plays promotional media even while the device is idle. This helps you maximize your customers’ perception of your supermarket. The best price checker manufacturers allow you to customize the appearance of your devices.
Hardware
The performance of your price checker relies on its hardware. A system with many complex integrations requires RAM, SSD, and other components that support these processes.
When selecting a device for a supermarket, use its daily operations as a reference for the minimum specifications. Then, consider potential business growth and advanced configurations to see whether the price checker’s hardware meets these criteria.
High-quality Components
High-quality hardware undergoes strict quality checks. Before shipping out the machines, the leading manufacturers ensure that the price checkers meet safety and quality standards.
While most price checkers include product warranties, you should also think about their maintenance needs. Choose a price verifier that has easily replaceable parts. This helps with maintenance costs and efforts in the future.
Legal Compliance and Security
Supermarket owners need price checkers that comply with electronic product safety laws. These regulations ensure customers and businesses have access to machines that are high-quality and safe. Top manufacturers build price checkers that meet international and regional regulations, such as:
- International: CB Scheme
- European Union: CE Marking
- Canada: cUL, IC
- United States: UL, FCC
- Germany: TUV
- United Kingdom: UKCA
- China: CCC, SRRC
When a price checker passes the required certifications, it can be safely deployed in a supermarket. Business owners have an additional layer of confidence that their machines have met the necessary safety and quality standards.
The Right Device with the Biggest Impact
The best price checker for a supermarket meets the business’s current needs and adapts to its growth. When helping a business owner find the best fit for their supermarket, quality and accuracy are the top priorities. The device should also benefit the customers by ensuring an easy price verification process.
Looking for the right price checker for a supermarket? Let Bimi’s experts make your search easier. With over 15 years of industry experience, Bimi designs high-quality and customizable price checkers for supermarkets. Regardless of the size of the supermarket, Bimi’s machines are built to support daily operations and business growth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Should price checkers in a supermarket read many types of barcode symbologies?
Yes, price checkers in a supermarket should read different types of barcode symbologies. Because supermarkets have many types of products, price checkers should read many barcode types. 1D/2D barcode scanners should read common barcode types such as:
- UPC
- EAN
- Code 128
- Code 39
- PDF47
- QR Code
An accurate barcode scanner should correctly identify the barcode’s characters. This enables customers to view the correct product price while using a price verifier.
2. How do you know if a price checker’s hardware is right for a supermarket?
You should use the supermarket’s daily operations to determine if it can keep up with the business’s processes. If a supermarket owner needs complex integrations, the machine’s RAM, SSD, and other components should support those.
Aside from the current business needs, consider how well the hardware will scale once the business grows. As a reseller, you can help the business owner find a machine that will scale with the operations.
3. How do you choose the ideal price checker size?
The ideal price checker size maximizes your store space while ensuring your customers can easily access the machine. Some manufacturers offer screen sizes like 5” or 7”, which are compact. These smaller models can be attached to shopping carts for the customers’ convenience. These sizes are also more portable and require less space.
Bigger screen sizes, such as 10”, occupy more space but can be attached to walls, shelves, or countertops. Larger screens are more visible to a supermarket’s customers. Thankfully, business owners can choose from a selection of mounts and stands to maximize their floor area.
4. How do you confirm if a price checker complies with international quality and safety standards?
Before a price checker is deployed, it undergoes international and regional quality checks for electronic products. Thorough quality and safety checks are conducted before a product passes the inspection. Price checkers that pass these requirements will have a stamp that shows this.
The CB Scheme mark is found in products that pass international electronic product regulations. On the other hand, a CE Marking is the European Union’s equivalent of this. Some countries have their own certifications, too. For example, products being deployed in the United Kingdom should have a UKCA marking.
5. What features should a price checker in a supermarket have?
A price checker in a supermarket should accurately read barcodes, transmit product information, connect to other systems, and more. Price checkers in a supermarket should have high-quality hardware to support daily operations. When choosing a price verifier for a supermarket, you should look at features such as:
- Barcode scanner
- Screen display
- Network and Ethernet connection
- Operating system
- Customization options
- Integrations
- Hardware
- Safety and quality certifications
A touchscreen display enables customers to access in-depth product information and promotions while using the machine. Meanwhile, a reliable Ethernet connection ensures data is transmitted even without an internet connection. Lastly, certifications like the CB Scheme and CE Marking confirm that a price checker is safe to use.
6. Can you display promotions on a price checker?
Yes, you can display promotions on a price checker. Supermarket owners can display promotional videos and slideshows on their price checkers. Some price checkers can play these promotional media even while the machine is idle. This increases their customers’ awareness of exclusive deals and boosts their interest in these items.
Price checkers with touchscreen panels can display these promotions while a customer is using the machine. While they’re browsing information about the product they scanned, they can also access relevant deals. This can lead the customer to browse and purchase more items.
7. Where can you mount price checkers?
Price checkers can be mounted on walls, shelves, and countertops. VESA mounts are the standard option for price checkers. This enables supermarket owners to strategically place the devices in their stores.
Price checkers can also be attached to stands. This can be helpful for businesses looking for other mounting options for their devices. Regardless of the placement of the machines, attaching them to mounts and stands enables you to maximize your store area.
8. What software can you integrate into your price checkers?
Integrations enable supermarket owners to streamline their business processes. They can connect their price checkers to other systems, such as:
- Inventory management
- Accounting
- ERP software
- Customer loyalty program
- Sales tracking
However, you’ll need to ensure the machine supports complex integrations. A price checker’s operating system and hardware need to be designed to support these without slowing down. SSD, RAM, and other components with advanced specifications should also be considered.
9. Does your price verifier’s operating system affect its performance?
Yes, a price checker’s operating system affects its performance. The complexity of the integrations also depends on this. Windows and Android devices are common, but Linux systems offer the most flexibility for customization. However, you may need to contact the manufacturer to request a Linux device.
Features like Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) are standard inclusions for Android price checkers. If a supermarket owner wants a reliable PoE connection in a Windows device, they may have to contact the manufacturer.
Aside from functionality, a price checker’s operating system affects its ease of use. Android is a better fit for businesses looking for an intuitive and mobile-friendly interface.
Lastly, businesses seeking a new operating system need to consider the complexity of the data migration process. It may be more challenging to switch to a new operating system. You’ll need to consider investing more time or even hiring a professional to migrate the data.
10. Do all price checkers have a touchscreen display?
No, not all price checkers have a touchscreen display. When selecting a price verifier for a supermarket, a touchscreen display is ideal. High-resolution touchscreens typically have LCD or LED displays. Their touch panels have quick response times for ease of use and reliability.
Aside from this, a touchscreen display enables customers to view more product information. They can access promotions, meal pairings, similar products, and other information by tapping on the screen. This also enables them to discover more products in a supermarket just by using a price checker.
English 
Spanish 
Arabic 
Russian 
