Is it time for checkout receipts to go?

How do YOU feel about checkout receipts?

How do YOU feel about checkout receipts? On the plus side, they can reinforce savings just made, they can show loyalty rewards, they can print redeemable coupons and they can thank customers for their business. On the negative, many contain BPA, they clutter people’s wallets, if customers lose them they may lose any printed reward values, and let’s not forget… they can slow checkout lines when a cashier has to replace a roll of paper! So, do we keep them? Or is it time for checkout receipts to go? The best approach, we feel, is to be ready for both and give shoppers their choice. There are benefits for retailers in both options. Stores that go paperless, like Apple, could, for example, e-mail digital receipts to customers. Then they’d have the e-mail address and possibly permission to engage customers with deals and other materials. Stores that keep printing receipts could integrate messages on them that reinforce deals or information. For instance, suggest a chat with the store’s catering chef before the holiday season rush. Or to emphasize health and wellness, tell of a local run or health fair coming up, or perhaps an evening class by the pharmacist on managing diabetes. Share in community support—list the upcoming games of town teams the store helps sponsor.