At my local supermarket, there is often a big queue for the automated checkouts, while the human staffed checkouts have no one wanting to use them, they literally have to go on the PA system and ask (beg it sounds like sometimes) people to please use the human cashiers.
Online shopping vs staffed stores ("human business") is actually a false alternative. There is a third option: physical-but-automated stores. Best of both worlds?
At my local supermarket, there is often a big queue for the automated checkouts, while the human staffed checkouts have no one wanting to use them, they literally have to go on the PA system and ask (beg it sounds like sometimes) people to please use the human cashiers.
Online shopping vs staffed stores ("human business") is actually a false alternative. There is a third option: physical-but-automated stores. Best of both worlds?
Wow, I'm shocked to hear you say this. In what country is this? In Canada, literally the opposite is true. Everyone absolutely hates those self-serve checkouts, and complaining about them is as popular as complaining about the weather. Even though there is literally NO LINE at all for the self-serve kiosks, and MASSIVE lines for the few human-run checkout lines, most people would gladly wait much longer rather than get out right away and have to deal with those things. They have staff literally begging the people in line to come to the self-serve checkouts, proclaiming that it will be much much faster and they won't have to wait. Sometimes there are even promotions where they can get discounts or free stuff, gift cards etc. Hardly anyone will budge though. Those self-serve kiosks are truly despised here.
That's an interesting cultural difference! Are you in French or English speaking Canada? I am in Australia.
At my local supermarket, there is often a big queue for the automated checkouts, while the human staffed checkouts have no one wanting to use them, they literally have to go on the PA system and ask (beg it sounds like sometimes) people to please use the human cashiers.
Online shopping vs staffed stores ("human business") is actually a false alternative. There is a third option: physical-but-automated stores. Best of both worlds?
My supermarkets are about half and half.
I have no idea why someone would wait in line for an automated machine when human aisles are literally empty.
Are you being truthful?
I'm not making it up, I have seen it on multiple occasions. It is non-intuitive though, I suspect when the management of that store were making the decision to roll out the automated checkouts they were worried about a negative reaction from consumers, but once people learned to use them they preferred them.
I can think of several reasons why. (1) More predictable. If you use a person you never know if you'll get a fast efficient one, or someone slow or who decides to have a long chat with someone ahead of you in line. (2) Embarrassing purchases. Someone buying 10 packets of chocolate cookies, some hair dye and a pack of condoms might prefer to use an automated checkout. (3) Fewer mistakes. When it's your own money at stake you are careful not to double scan anything.
Retails stores are dying because of idiot CEOs, and investors no doubt. Maybe the real problem is idiot business schools produce idiot graduates who know nothing about business and everything about finance. The American economy is all about rape and pillage.
If you look are Sears and Macys you find investors want the money now. Sears merely wants to cut costs. To do so, they cut store staff, and sell off assets. The first thing the current CEO did was discontinue the Sears Catalog. The bonehead didn't get it that Sears was the first Amazon. Sears sold off Craftsman, is selling off Kenmore, etc.
If retail is to survive, the most important criterion is don't hire anyone with a business degree.
At my local supermarket, there is often a big queue for the automated checkouts, while the human staffed checkouts have no one wanting to use them, they literally have to go on the PA system and ask (beg it sounds like sometimes) people to please use the human cashiers.
Online shopping vs staffed stores ("human business") is actually a false alternative. There is a third option: physical-but-automated stores. Best of both worlds?
My supermarkets are about half and half.
I have no idea why someone would wait in line for an automated machine when human aisles are literally empty.
Are you being truthful?
I'm not making it up, I have seen it on multiple occasions. It is non-intuitive though, I suspect when the management of that store were making the decision to roll out the automated checkouts they were worried about a negative reaction from consumers, but once people learned to use them they preferred them.
I can think of several reasons why. (1) More predictable. If you use a person you never know if you'll get a fast efficient one, or someone slow or who decides to have a long chat with someone ahead of you in line. (2) Embarrassing purchases. Someone buying 10 packets of chocolate cookies, some hair dye and a pack of condoms might prefer to use an automated checkout. (3) Fewer mistakes. When it's your own money at stake you are careful not to double scan anything.
Late reply but the bolded part makes no sense since you mentioned the lanes were empty.
Comments
I'm not making it up, I have seen it on multiple occasions. It is non-intuitive though, I suspect when the management of that store were making the decision to roll out the automated checkouts they were worried about a negative reaction from consumers, but once people learned to use them they preferred them.
I can think of several reasons why. (1) More predictable. If you use a person you never know if you'll get a fast efficient one, or someone slow or who decides to have a long chat with someone ahead of you in line. (2) Embarrassing purchases. Someone buying 10 packets of chocolate cookies, some hair dye and a pack of condoms might prefer to use an automated checkout. (3) Fewer mistakes. When it's your own money at stake you are careful not to double scan anything.
Still, never seen this.