Retailers of all sizes recognize the value of technology to run various aspects of their operations. One common example lies within the self-checkout or light-touch checkout. This not only makes the shopper experience better at the end of their visit to the store but also makes for a better experience for the retail associates who can turn their attention to providing a better shopping experience. This important activity can replace the mundane and uncomfortable task of collecting money from shoppers for their purchases.
Case in point, retail decision-makers are seeing a positive return on the investments they make in self-checkout technologies. The idea that retailers can extract more value from technology investments is a good one; a scenario they would like to replicate. And it’s likely the reason why retailers look to fulfill the requests of their associates by providing even more infrastructure and application innovations—such as those listed below—aimed at creating better customer experiences and generating more revenue: (1)
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- Real-Time Inventory Visibility
- Workforce Scheduling Software
- Task Management Software
- Social Distancing and Contact Tracing Applications
- Artificial Intelligence
- Cobots, Robots, and Intelligent Automation
One example of these technologies coming together to deliver a low-friction and positive retail experience can be seen in the multi-faceted digital cart program implemented by Kroger, the grocery giant. In response to shopping behavior trends, the retailer piloted a smart cart program that uses computer vision technology to add items to customer bills as they place items in their cart. (2)
A digital transformation like the Kroger example helps organizations grow their businesses by capitalizing on the scalability, enhanced security, and modern economics that the cloud offers. Many retailers have turned to Taos for help in automating processes to handle the onslaught of online orders and returns.
Taos Advisory Services, Professional Services, and Managed IT and Security Services combine to deliver a wide range of digital transformation benefits to our retail customers. These are two examples:
- Eliminates or reduces repetitive, low-value manual processes by deploying cobots, bots, and intelligent automation.
- Lowers IT overhead and reduces operating costs by using a SaaS consumption model and eliminating CapEx investments.
Utilizing cloud technologies enables retailers to go through a digital transformation that delivers multiple business benefits.
Citations:
1 – “14th Annual Zebra Global Shopper Study The Next Wave of Retail Fulfillment,” Zebra, 2021
2 – “Smart grocery carts are coming to change the way we shop,” CNET, January 2021