A Cashier-Free Future

When more than 900 shoppers recently were asked what Amazon should add or change at Whole Foods locations, the top response was adding “cashier-free checkout,” according to a poll conducted by ChargeItSpot and reported by CNBC.

“Our survey found that shoppers want the Amazon-Whole Foods merger to upgrade the grocery store experience with additions of useful technology,” ChargeItSpot’s CEO Doug Baldasare told CNBC.

While some fear mass unemployment, experts are assuring the industry that fewer cashier positions will translate to more people employed in distribution centers and fulfillment hubs. According to CNBC, ZipRecruiter’s Ian Siegel believes a gradual shift in supermarkets’ employment structures will also open up opportunities in new types of retail jobs, such as consultative sales, distribution and logistics within the grocery chains. The hope is that as the low-skill repetitive work is done by machines and technology, humans will be able to do higher-level tasks, and employers will create better jobs.

Grocerant-Ready Ideas:

• Opt-in text messaging for deals and curbside delivery messages
• Apps for pre-order and payment and grocerant cash wraps for easy in-and-out
• Concierge service for meal prep help and food/wine suggestions