Retail Solutions - Till messaging system aims to cut Ikea queues

Ikea is attempting to reduce checkout queuing times by using a voice messaging system between till and floor staff at its Brent Park outlet in north London.

The system, from Quail Digital, is able to relay set request messages - such as price checking or replacement of a faulty item - to shopfloor staff. This ensures that staff do not have to go to the till to find out what the problem is.

Brent Park is Ikea's busiest outlet in the UK, with an average footfall of 40,000 customers a week. The store's checkout area was recently extended to 40 tills.