Checkout free tech key to tempting shoppers back in-store

36% of Americans will shop less in physical stores this holiday season than in 2019, according to research from autonomous checkout venture Standard Cognition.

The company surveyed 1,038 US consumers and also found that another 23% will purchase items exclusively online. 68% said Covid-19 was a factor in deciding how to shop.

When asked which, if any, of these options would make them most likely to venture into physical stores this holiday season, respondents flagged up self-checkout (34%), checkout-free tech (31%), and touchless payments (22%).

“The good news is that in-store shopping isn’t going away,” says Jordan Fisher, Co-founder and CEO, Standard.

“But there is a large proportion of consumers who are wary of shopping in stores right now. As this study reveals, retailers that are able to provide checkout-free experiences and other touchless technologies are going to be better equipped to draw customers into stores going forward.”