With energy-saving, sensor-activated fridges and DIY checkouts, shopping is faster and more convenient than ever. Could unmanned stores be the future of retail?
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From grabbing your drink to checking out, things are going automated. Taiwan’s convenience stores now boast that their sensor-activated refrigerators save up to 50% more energy than traditional models, pushing for a fully automated, tech-driven retail environment.
Thanks to DIY checkout systems, customers can now complete their purchases without the need for cashiers, and there are over 100 of these innovative stores already operating across Taiwan.
7-Eleven’s X-store-8 has collaborated with the Industrial Technology Research Institute to use optical radar (LiDAR) technology and mobile self-service checkout allowing shoppers to grab their items and leave in as little as 30 seconds.
And customers appreciate these advancements. One shopper touted it as convenient and fast, saying she doesn’t have to wait in long lines and can take her time at checkout. Another says unmanned stores are the new trend, calling them the way of the future.
This shift towards automation is not just beneficial for businesses but also addresses the growing demand for labor. Recent data from the Labor Department shows a need for over 5,100 workers in the service sector—the highest demand in 13 years and an increase of over 3,000 from last year.
Chamber of Commerce Chairman Hsu Shu-po (許舒博) has urged the Labor Ministry to develop solutions for the labor shortage, emphasizing that bringing in foreign workers is not a simple overnight fix.
With labor shortages pushing retailers to adapt, it looks like automation could be coming to a store near you.