Tips for Winning at Self-Checkout from a Super Housewife

I tried being a 'super housewife' at 40 with no experience

I am a super housewife. Not the kind who can do all the housework and childcare... I'm a housewife who works part-time at a supermarket. I started working part-time as soon as my youngest child entered kindergarten. Why did I choose the checkout at the supermarket? Because it's easy to take time off. But at first, I had no confidence that I could handle such long lines or the contents of these baskets. While being taught by my seniors (even though they were younger than me), I came up with my own tricks, and in my first year, I actually won the regional checkout competition!

How can I be faster? Tips for winning at self-checkout

Now that self-checkouts are common, I want you to grasp these tips and beat your yesterday's self.

The basic rule for bagging is 'from front to back.' Scan the items at the front of the basket before checkout and place them at the back of your own basket (or bag).

Hold the item in your right hand, scan the barcode, pass it to your left hand, and pack it.

Pros hold an item in their right hand while bagging. Since it's a skilled technique, it's hard to try from the beginning. And pros (don't make me say it twice) are also fast at passing from the right hand to the left, and sometimes they scan with their left hand. They use different hands depending on the item.

Anyway, whoever controls their right hand controls the checkout. This is the truth. If it's not a self-checkout, look at the speed of the clerk's right hand. If their right hand is fast, it's a fast checkout.

1. Check the barcode position

The barcode position is basically on the back side relative to the front where the product name is written. (Bread is on the bottom. There are exceptions.) As you get used to it, the barcode is not something you look at, it becomes something you feel.

Pick up the item, come on, let's beep it! And pass it to your left hand.

2. How to pack items after scanning

Even if I say from front to back, what if the item at the front was bread? If you put it in as is, you'll see hell. I know of no face as sad as a crushed loaf of bread.

For items you don't want to crush, such as fruit, meat, fish, eggs, and snack bags, place them in a 'temporary space' after scanning.

Although there are basic movements, put 'hard and bulky' items like 1.5-liter plastic bottles, milk, and soy milk in first. Beginners find it difficult later if they put drinks in vertically. This is because you won't be able to stack things on top. Lay them horizontally to create a base. Even if you only get fizz when you open the cola and waste 5 minutes drinking foam, do it. On top of that, put the 'somewhat hard and sturdy group' like natto, yogurt, boxed snacks, mini tomatoes, and other items in cases, or hard vegetables. Don't accidentally put glossy tomatoes or packs of strawberries in at this stage. Eek! On top of that, place meat, fish, eggs, easily crushed tomatoes or strawberries, and finally snack bags or bread, and you're done!

Here is one common mistake.
If you put thin, wide packs of meat at the bottom, it's the end.
You'll end up hesitating about what to put on top, and it will take time. Putting items with a small surface area at the bottom is also an important point.

In any job, awareness leads to tips

In the near future, there will only be self-checkouts, and my job might disappear. Actually, I've learned other jobs like produce, grocery, and bakery, and I'm also called 'Multi-Darako.' Awareness. That is how you become good at your job. Isn't this the same for any profession? If you become good at your job, you can realize that you are useful to someone. Just try it!! This is important!!