Retail Automation: Human Jobs and Robot Risks

Mark Schneider, Director of Business Development at Cleveron, rejects the narrative that technology will render retail workers obsolete. He contends that automation, such as parcel lockers and Click & Collect hubs, removes repetitive tasks like label scanning or inventory searching. By his assessment, these efficiencies allow store teams to dedicate more time to shoppers, noting that automated collection can reduce routine parcel admin by up to 60%. Furthermore, internal data suggests that store colleagues who are freed from back-office duties facilitate additional purchases, as they are more available to engage with customers on the shop floor.

However, the deployment of autonomous systems brings significant safety concerns. A lawsuit currently moving through the courts in Arizona underscores these risks: 73-year-old Trudy Perez is suing Starship Technologies after a delivery robot struck her in an Arizona State University parking garage. According to police reports, the incident left Perez with a spinal fracture and a deep arm laceration. Her legal representatives at Vrana Law Firm claim she now suffers from lifelong impairment. The case, set for a jury trial next year, examines whether the company met state requirements for safety precautions and human monitoring of its devices.