Sensei flags increase in demand for autonomous retail experiences
70% of Brits would welcome checkout-free shopping, according to new research from Sensei.
The company surveyed 1,500 people.
It also found that 60% of UK shoppers want the option of a checkoutless experience via a hybrid model. A further 10% would favour a fully autonomous shopping experience.
The report, which was conducted in collaboration with Ben Marder, Director of Research at the University of Edinburgh Business School, also reveals the biggest turn offs for consumers when it comes to returning to the high street in a post-pandemic world.
32% of Brits admitted they are put off visiting the high street due to overcrowded stores, while a further fifth are deterred from physical retail spaces because of limited product options.
47% of those surveyed said they want to be able to shop without checkouts in the future.
Of the factors driving consumers towards autonomous retail, respondents cited a faster shopping experience (61%), not having to queue in order to pay for goods (60%), and the convenience of checkoutless stores to being open 24/7 (50%).
Vasco Portugal, CEO at Sensei, says: “We are really proud to have facilitated this study for the retail industry.”
“Our goal is to provide retailers with the practical insights about autonomous store technology, based on the opinions of their customers, to help them make strategic decisions about how to implement this technology that is now bursting onto UK high streets.”
Portugal adds: “We are committed to supporting retailers as they start to adopt and expand their autonomous retail offering. This report spotlights the demand for this technology to be inclusive.”
“The hybrid model allows retailers to transform a store into one that can support a checkoutless experience, whilst also offering a checkout desk for the few that can’t immediately switch to the autonomous experience.”
Education, that’s what I need!
The research also highlights the need to better educate consumers on autonomous retail technology.
Respondents noted concerns around being incorrectly charged (54%) and data privacy (45%).
