Retail Solutions - Waterstone's to improve in-store kiosks for Xmas

Bookseller Waterstone's is improving the software on its in-store kiosks.

Kiosk specialist Interface has revamped the Booksearch application, which customers use to check availability and prices of Waterstone's titles.

Five kiosks are running at its Gower Street store as a pilot. IBM's netvista boxes are being used to house the software.

The kiosks reduce congestion at the point of sale because customers do not have to queue up to ask staff simple questions. Shoppers are already using the machines much more than expected.

Interface has more than 4,000 kiosks across Europe, and recently upgraded the software for 1,370 Boots Advantage Point kiosks to improve navigation and allow customers to change their contact details. Boots is now able to manage the system in-house.