In-Store Technology

COVID-19 has brought lockdowns, job losses and bankruptcies. However, it has also led to tech innovations, widespread tech adoption, and changing consumer mind-sets. And the retail industry, already facing an e-commerce revolution, has had to change faster than anything else. As lockdowns ease and nonessential physical stores slowly re-emerge from dormancy, it’s a good time…

The Kroger Co. announced the launch of a contactless payments pilot across the QFC division, located in Seattle, allowing customers to use their mobile device for a more seamless checkout experience. The pilot includes the acceptance of Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay, mobile banking apps and contactless chip cards, underpinned by near-field communication (NFC)…

In today’s high-tech, high-touch world, shopping in a brick-and-mortar store is as old school as it gets, right? Think again. From the nearly ubiquitous self-serve checkout stations at grocery stores to new cashier-less store technology, in-store automation technology is transforming nearly every aspect of the traditional retail experience. Retail automation isn’t a new concept, but…

The retail spaces that shoppers will return to following the COVID-19 pandemic won't be the same ones they shopped in previously. Associates and consumers will have to develop and adjust to new shopping behaviors that minimize physical touch and closeness. This period will be marked by innovation and experimentation, as retailers attempt to drive increased…

Amazon.com is launching shopping carts that track items as shoppers add them, reports CNBC. The Amazon Dash Carts automatically charge customers when they remove their grocery bags, allowing them to skip the checkout line. These smart shopping carts will roll out at Amazon’s new Los Angeles-area grocery store, which is slated to open this year, the company…

Fast. Easy. Secure. Those are the words consumers use to describe their ideal checkout experience. But in reality, how often do those expectations ring true? Truthfully, not as often as retailers may think. Despite merchants’ best efforts to provide a smooth and seamless checkout, customers have reported that the in-store experience still isn’t always up…

Digital transformation, consumer demands for convenience, and Gen Z buying power proliferation have created waves of disruption for retail. As automated technology like chatbots and blockchain permeate the industry, the demand for elevated shopping experiences and human interaction are requiring retailers to adapt and experiment with technology that allows them to thrive online and offline.…

Shopping has changed as we know it. Consumers no longer stroll into stores and take their time interacting with products and people. Now, masks are mandatory almost everywhere and people try their best to stay six feet away from one another while making their way down narrow aisles. And while people are spending more money…

Thanks to the many tech innovations that retailers have integrated into their e-commerce offerings, consumers have become accustomed to a personalized shopping experience. Retailers have struggled to provide this same level of personalization and data insights in their brick-and-mortar stores. Some of the most compelling tools used in physical stores today leverage artificial intelligence (AI)…

At the dawn of a new decade, retailers are finally making headway in catching up to the demands of digital-era consumers. According to Zebra’s 12th annual Global Shopper Study, which analyzes data culled from over 6,000 customers, store associates and retail executives, shopper satisfaction is up overall. Retailers are recognizing that future success hinges on…