Kroger's faster checkout initiative QueVision ranks 3rd

The Kroger Co.'s innovative technology solution to speed up checkout wait times, called QueVision, has earned the company a number 3 ranking in the InformationWeek Elite 100 – a list of the top business technology innovators in the U.S. Kroger received the award last night at the InformationWeek conference in Las Vegas.

"Kroger is honoured to be recognized for developing innovative technology solutions to meet customer needs – what we call Customer 1st innovation – in the InformationWeek Elite 100," said Chris Hjelm, Kroger's chief information officer. "What makes us most proud is how our associates – in Retail Operations and Kroger Technology, and store front end managers, cashiers and courtesy clerks – worked together to both scale QueVision across more than 2,400 stores and to execute it so successfully."

Kroger's pioneering QueVision uses infrared sensors and predictive analytics to arm store front-end managers with real-time data to make sure registers are open when customers need them. As a result, the Kroger family of stores has reduced the time a customer waits in line to check out, on average, from four minutes before QueVision was deployed to less than 30 seconds today.

"Every day, we are returning precious minutes to our time-strapped customers by shortening the time they wait to checkout," said Marnette Perry, Kroger's senior vice president of strategic initiatives and operations. "We continue to employ technology to improve the shopping experience and deliver value to our growing base of loyal customers."