Business case
Since 1996, Bónus has relied on LS Retail software to manage its supermarket operations. Over the years, and with the help of local IT partner NVL, the grocery chain has continuously upgraded its systems to stay ahead in technology, using nearly all the functionalities offered by LS Central. Some of the key functionalities they use today include:
- Mobile inventory: Bónus uses the Mobile Inventory app to manage and order stock efficiently across its stores. “The Mobile Inventory app is an integral part of our processes in the stores, and it helps our staff work faster,” says Steinar Kristjansson, Chief Information Officer at Bónus.
- Self-checkout: Since 2018, all Bónus stores have been equipped with self-checkout stations, allowing customers to quickly purchase their items. This has greatly improved the shopping experience by reducing wait times at the checkout and giving shoppers more control over the process.
- Self-scanning: In 2022, Bónus implemented ScanPayGo technology through its "Gripið & Greitt" (“Grab and Pay”) concept. With retail devices powered by LS Central and a Datema Retail interface, customers can easily scan items off the shelves and pay instantly without having to wait in line. Each time an item is scanned, LS Central provides information about barcodes, prices, and inventory, ensuring accurate pricing and inventory control. “I would say ScanPayGo is a really big success in all senses,” says Sigthor Samuelsson, Director Program Management at Onnio. “It is nice to see how well the customers have adopted the technology.”
- LS Pay: For seamless payment processing, Bónus uses LS Retail’s payment processing software, LS Pay, which directly integrates with their Payment Service Provider (PSP) Verifone, ensuring secure, fast payments across all stores.
- Promotions: Bónus uses a smart pricing system tied to product expiration dates. Products nearing expiration are automatically discounted 30% off with two days left and 50% off for items expiring the next day. Expired products are flagged at checkout to prevent their sale.
- Integration with Electronic Shelf Label (ESL) system: Connected to LS Central, electronic shelf labels let Bónus instantly update prices and promotions across all their stores in real-time, ensuring their customers always have access to accurate pricing and deals.
Benefits
LS Central has delivered exceptional benefits for Bónus, making their operations more efficient and cost-effective. Some of the key benefits they’ve seen include:
- Low operational costs: Despite their advanced technology setup, Bónus spends just 0.3% of revenue on IT. “It’s an efficient system that doesn’t cost much to maintain,” says Kristjansson. In fact, just one IT person manages the entire system.
- Improved employee productivity: The Mobile Inventory app allows staff to work faster and keep stock levels optimized, leading to better efficiency in-store.
- Enhanced customer experience: Self-checkout and self-scanning allow customers to complete purchases quickly, while electronic shelf labels ensure accurate and up-to-date pricing.
- Reduced waste: By integrating smart pricing based on expiration dates, Bónus has significantly reduced product waste and maximized revenue from perishable goods.
Bónus’s long-term partnership with LS Retail has enabled the chain to stay technologically advanced while keeping costs low. "We really enjoy using LS Retail software solutions," says Kristjansson. "Their continuous development and new features have ensured that our business remains at the forefront of technology."
