Robots: The Automated Shopping Experience

As e-commerce sweeps in, retailers resting on the physical storefront recognize that there are two important factors at play that must be addressed. As labor costs rise, they must work to keep costs down, and as consumer expectations change, they must evolve to suit them.

Robots address both of these issues. A report says that within the next five years robots will be responsible for 6% of jobs in the United States being eliminated. Many of the issues that retailers face on a consistent basis can be combated by robots. Peak hours that are undermanned, high employee tuner-over rates, theft, messy stores, etc., can all be dealt with by robots.

Automation is in vogue. Wal-Mart just patented self-driving shopping carts. Whole Foods has a new store called 365 that specifically targets millennials by going far beyond self-checkout – it features iPad kiosks in the center of the store that allow customers to order food from the on-site kitchen, as well as an iPad with a scanner that delivers in-depth information to customers about products. A recent study points to the fact that this works, because millennials are less-inclined to prefer interacting with people.

All of this is a sure testament to the fact that for retailers, large and small, the brand image must be promoted and cultivated at every turn. At S. Walter Packaging we know how much every encounter your brand has with customers matters. The competition can be tough, but our expertise will give your product’s packaging the kind of edge it needs to set it apart. Contact us today and we’ll help you get to the head of the pack.