As the technology moves forward, companies try to implement more and more of it into their business. One of the futuristic ideas being already developed and test-implemented is cashier-free, self-checkout stores. The idea is that such store can operate without any employees on site. It only needs restocking, cleaning, and maintenance once necessary. It is a great way for companies to lower the cost of having a retail store to a bare minimum – basically the rent/price for the place.
The idea is that a person has some kind of app or device that lets him in one at a time. The person can choose whatever he wants, and the payment is automated through the app. The idea seems simple, but there is a lot of technology and processes involved. First of all, the shelves must be weighted. Additionally, the exact weight of all the products in sale must be known. This way, the shop “knows” how many products, from which shelf was taken and can assess what exact products are those. Thus there is no waiting in line to scan or weigh the products for the customer. Ideally, the customer takes it off the shelf and carries with on the shopping. The second of all is the payment, identification, and safety. The shop must have a few cameras to see what is happening outside and inside. The identity of the person must be known in case of any problems with payment or damage. So the app (or the entrance to the shop) must have some facial or other type of recognition along with all the credentials and credit card number. In China, the shops that work are based on Wechat app with is operated and developed by the Chinese company Tencent. The app is Whatsapp-like. It allows communication, payment, identification of the person, among other features. So if a person has Wechat app on their phone, they can enter the shop. And the shop instantly has all the information about the person along with credit card number and etc. This allows them to enter the store and proceed with shopping. Third of all dealing with all the problems, unawareness, maintenance is a bit harder due to no employees on site. So the logistics with the restocking but also customer help may be tricky. But can also be solved with technology – for instance, chatbots (in the app). The lack of electricity or malfunction of the app or banking system may cause some problems as well.
The idea of such technology-based stores, as described above, is more than possible with existing technology. It is necessary for the customer to have a smartphone and an app essentially. That means most people in developed countries with access to such stores will be able to shop in such places. It is a lot cheaper for the company due to no necessity of hiring many workers (one or more per store). It can have “Service teams” which operate on few stores or certain districts with troubleshooting. The AI (chatbots) can help customers with the shopping process. So such a store, except restocking, ideally is operated by just the technology. There are some easily visible dangers – malfunction or lack of electricity. And above all, the more hidden ones. About our privacy, our free choice (every move being recorded and digitsed).
Will the technology be widespread on the streets very soon? I think that is quite likely. Trends change, but this kind of “store-machine” is cheap, safe, and very effective. The customer spends very little time in the store and does not have to worry about anything – everything is in the app. So the only barrier is peoples’ attachment to tradition. Only time will tell if the technology-based, cashier-free shops will be more and more common.
Referencing:
https://popupcity.net/observations/an-automated-supermarket-with-no-staff/
https://www.theverge.com/2017/2/6/14527438/amazon-go-grocery-store-six-human-employees-automation
http://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20190826-france-no-staff-superstore-automated-checkout-robot
Those inventions are a great step into the future, but the big minus is the fact that a lot of people will lose their jobs, but instead the new ones will appear.
Good job with this article! Who would have thought twenty years ago that we will be able to go shopping without having to actually talk to people?
And considering that microchipping is already widely known, who know, maybe we wouldn’t even have to bring phones to pay!
Good article, thank you. I think this is a very cool technology that can make life easier for many people (for example, when they do not want to interact with the cashier))
It’s coming so fast, there are even some new open Zabka shops with no cashiers so we see it by the day!
As far as I know, Amazon is actively implementing such stores called “Amazon go”.
The introduction of such stores will completely change the culture and behavior of future generation. The usual communication with cashiers and sellers will disappear. Although it will save customers a little time.
When I arrived in Poland, it was conversations with sellers and cashiers in stores that actively moved me to learn the local language. This was a great motivator 😉
These kinds of technologies are a perfect move towards the future unless they affect the labor market equilibrium.