Kiosks and self-checkouts increase the availability and automation of products and services in retail, catering and leisure sectors. The printing of receipts, vouchers, labels and tickets plays an important role within these industries Citizen Systems, a leading manufacturer of professional label, POS, handheld, kiosk and photo printers, offers a wide range of specially designed kiosk printers as well as flexible and versatile printers for use in kiosks. The company also supports integrators and distributors with comprehensive advice and technical services relating to kiosk printing solutions.
Cashier-less shops, digital services, customer apps and kiosks - modern technologies are opening up new perspectives for retail, catering and the leisure industries. As an important component of automation, kiosk solutions are spreading in supermarkets, fast-food restaurants and the cultural scene. This is because customers expect services to be as quick and convenient as a swipe on a smartphone, and to be available around the clock. In addition, the ongoing shortage of skilled labour and endless rising costs, are forcing companies to achieve more with fewer resources in innovative ways.
What characterises a self-service kiosk?
Typically, a self-service kiosk consists of a computer system and a touch screen, supplemented by a scanner, payment terminal and printer. Customers can use it to order or scan products, make a payment, call up information and print out a receipt or voucher independently of opening hours and without the support of staff. Companies can design self-service kiosks that are customised to their objectives and tailored to their individual business requirements.
Common examples of self-service kiosks are self-service checkouts in supermarkets, self-order kiosks in restaurants, digital reception desks in hotels, queuing systems in public authorities and ticket kiosks in the leisure sector.
The market for self-checkouts
The market for self-checkout systems is growing: according to a market survey by the EHI Retail Institute (2023), over 5,010 shops in Germany offer their customers self-scanning and payment options. At these self-service checkouts, kiosk printers ensure the fast and reliable printing of receipts and labels, making a decisive contribution to the efficiency and convenience of these solutions.
According to Fortune Business Insights, the global market for self-checkout systems was estimated at USD 4.88 billion in 2023. The market is expected to grow from USD 5.64 billion in 2024 to USD 18.01 billion in 2032, representing a compound annual growth rate of 15.6% during the forecast period.
The increasing implementation of cloud-based and artificial intelligence (AI)-based self-checkout solutions in the retail and hospitality industry is driving market growth. The increasing popularity of AI-based services, e.g. for personalised processes in checkout systems, is increasing their demand in developed countries.
The advantages of self-service kiosks
Self-service kiosks offer a range of benefits for both customers and businesses in the retail and catering sectors:
Shopping assistance
Self-checkouts support customers when shopping and enable digital and contactless payment without the need for retail staff. The introduction of cashless payment methods is driving demand for self-service checkout systems.
Availability 24/7 without supervision
Self-service kiosks operate around the clock without staff. Customers can also purchase products or use services at the kiosks outside regular business hours.
More customer service and accessibility
Customers appreciate the fact that self-service kiosks give them the feeling that they are in control of a process by operating the device themselves. It enables them to handle transactions, place orders, checkout or make purchases from devices and research information independently. All of this can be done at their own pace, giving them a sense of achievement in a successful transaction. Self-service kiosks are often multilingual and can be used without barriers – making them accessible to all sorts of customers.
Reduce operating costs
In some places, a self-service kiosk serves as a replacement for employees and therefore helps to reduce costs. Instead of expensive staff, customers take over activities that used to require employees. By automating repetitive tasks, staff gain valuable time for other work. Kiosks can also collect valuable data that can be used to optimise offers.
6 types of self-service kiosks and their benefits
The choice of the right self-service kiosk for a company depends on the respective objectives - be it a more efficient payment process, improved orientation or optimised customer service. Self-service kiosks can be used in a variety of ways, as the following types of kiosks used successfully around the world show:
1. Self-service checkout
A self-service checkout enables customers to scan their purchases independently, complete the payment themselves and have the receipt printed out.
2. Self-service ordering kiosk
Speed and convenience play a key role in the catering industry, especially in the fast food sector. Self-service kiosks contribute to smooth and efficient service in the catering industry: Customers can place and pay for their orders directly at the kiosk. This speeds up the process, reduces errors and increases customer satisfaction.
3. Pick-up and parcel kiosk (Click & Collect)
A pick-up kiosk enables customers to collect goods ordered online from a central location. This is particularly practical in supermarkets or retail shops and saves time. Parcel kiosks offer a flexible way to collect or send parcels and are often available 24/7. They are an ideal solution for e-commerce.
4. Photo printing kiosk
These kiosks allow customers to upload and print photos directly from their smartphone or other devices. They are often found in drugstores, shopping centers or photo shops.
5. Parking kiosk
These kiosks facilitate the payment and management of car parks, for example by scanning tickets and accepting various payment methods.
6. Ticket kiosk
Ticket kiosks are specially designed for purchasing tickets for events, travel, museums or leisure activities. They simplify the purchasing process and minimise queues. Kiosk printers are also a valuable support in event management. They make it possible to print tickets or name badges quickly and easily on site. This saves time and ensures that everything runs smoothly, especially at large events or trade fairs.
Hardware for self-service kiosks
In addition to a user-friendly touchscreen, a successful self-service kiosk requires robust PC hardware and software. The integration of additional devices such as payment terminals, cameras, barcode scanners and printers can transform a kiosk into a multifunctional self-service solution.
Citizen supports the use of self-service kiosks with a wide range of reliable printers that ensure the smooth operation of self-service kiosk solutions. These printers are characterised by the fact that they are designed for 24/7 operation and are particularly robust and space-saving.
Citizen printers for self-service kiosks
With Citizen's kiosk printers, intuitive operation, simple paper changing and reliable print quality ensure that users can use the devices with ease.
Kiosk printer PMU3300
The PMU3300 kiosk printer is specially designed for the harsh environment of outdoor kiosks. The compact thermal printer is suitable for integration into demanding kiosk applications. It opens from the side for easy paper changes. Its vandal-resistant design ensures maximum reliability and its small footprint is ideal for limited space, making it easy to install. With its metal mechanism and durable print heads, it is characterised by its long service life and easy maintenance. It also has the ability to work reliably in extreme conditions from -15 to +65 degrees. This makes it the ideal solution for outdoor use.
With the PMU3300 kiosk printer and other kiosk printers, Citizen sets itself apart from conventional systems, as these are often less durable. "Our kiosk printers are easy to maintain and particularly durable. They have a robust metal mechanism and can withstand customer interference, which enables continuous use," explains Jörk Schüßler, Marketing Director EMEA at Citizen Systems.
CL-S400DT ticket printer
The CL-S400 DT ticket printer prints labels such as parcel stickers in various formats. Customers can remove these from an output tray at the self-service terminal.
CT-E651 and CT-S801III receipt printers
The CT-E651 receipt printer is also ideal for kiosks. With its print speed of 300 mm per second, convenient operation, front output and small footprint, it can be optimally integrated into kiosks.
New models such as the Citizen CT-S801III printer, with their high speed of up to 500mm per second and their reliability, ensures smooth processes and a reduction in queues. Thanks to their ability to be replaced in a single step, they are an indispensable part of modern kiosk solutions.
What sets Citizen printers apart
"The most important building blocks for our success are our extensive expertise in POS, label, kiosk, mobile and photo printers, backed up by first-class technical support with 24/7 availability. We also offer a helpdesk and comprehensive consulting services for integration. This makes our technical support significantly better than others, as our customers attest," explains Jörk Schüßler. "The special thing is that our technical support not only offers quick answers to programming or integration questions but also enables firmware customisations."
Another advantage is the simple integration of Citizen printers into existing systems. With comprehensive software SDKs for Android, iOS and Java as well as plug-and-play functions, the devices can be set up quickly and easily. They are also flexible enough to be customised.
The compact POS and label printers are also frequently used directly in kiosks. This design allows defective printers to be replaced within seconds - an invaluable advantage in environments where smooth operation is essential.
Citizen kiosk printers in use at companies
Citizen kiosk printers are used by many companies. For example, Austrian Post, which has optimised its customer service by using self-service terminals. The user-friendly terminals were developed and manufactured by POS IT service provider Inform. Efficient printers that print and issue stamps, registered letters, payment slips and parcel labels are important components of the service stations with touch screens and cashless payment options.
Future prospects: technology that inspires
Digitalisation and automation in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will continue to gain importance. Kiosk printers are not just a solution for the moment, but also an important component of future-proof business models. They enable companies to expand their services and make them available around the clock, opening up new revenue streams while reducing operating costs.
With Citizen printers, companies rely on technology that is robust, reliable and customer-friendly. The combination of innovative technology and first-class support makes Citizen a strong partner for companies that want to increase their efficiency and at the same time offer their customers an outstanding experience.