METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING CUSTOMERS THROUGH A POINT-OF-SALE SYSTEM HAVING A MULTIPLE-ITEM PRICE SCANNING APPARATUS

A system for processing customers of a retail establishment through a point-of-sale system at which multiple items can be simultaneously scanned for purchase may include a conveyance path to transport items for purchase from the retail establishment, a multiple-item scanner to substantially simultaneously price scan multiple items grouped together on the conveyance path as the conveyance path transports the multiple items thereby, a plurality of separate item collection areas coupled to the conveyance path, each of the plurality of item collection areas configured to selectively receive items from the conveyance path after price scanning by the multiple-item scanner, and a plurality of customer payment interfaces each positioned at a different one of the plurality of item collection areas and each configured to process customer payment for purchase of items routed only to the one of the plurality of item collection areas at which that customer payment station is positioned.