San Francisco-based store intelligence solutions provider Simbe says new research reveals that over 3 out of 4 shoppers view in-store robots in a positive light.
The company said retailers are making strategic investments in technology and data that enhance the shopping experience, improve store teams’ job satisfaction and reclaim revenue. Through Simbe’s platform — which combines computer vision, artificial intelligence and the autonomous item-scanning robot, Tally — retailers gain visibility into near real-time store and shelf conditions, according to a news release. Having a continuous, accurate view of store interiors for the first time eradicates retail’s last data desert and unlocks new opportunities to capture market share, the company said.
Simbe says top frustrations for shoppers include inconsistent pricing, confusing promotions and low or out-of-stock inventory, all of which can lead to dissatisfaction and a lack of trust. Retailers are addressing these challenges through technology, such as inventory robots that help store teams keep shelves fully stocked with the right products at the right price.
In a recent survey of over 400 U.S. shoppers who have visited retailers with in-store robots in the last three months, the majority — and particularly those who shop more frequently — cited a positive affinity and strong preference for robots in-store, according to the release. Simbe said the research demonstrates robots’ tangible impact on alleviating these common pain points and creating a differentiated shopping experience. Additional findings from the study include:
- Only 4% of shoppers said they view retail robots in a negative light. The majority (77%) of shoppers said they view in-store robots positively and nearly all shoppers (96%) have a positive or neutral attitude.
- Most shoppers said they view retailers with in-store robots as innovative (84%) and growing companies (80%) that are investing in its customers’ experience (76%).
- Most shoppers said they think robots will improve the accuracy of on-shelf labeling (72%) and ensure the products they want are available on shelf (69%).
- Shopper positivity remains constant across repeated exposure to in-store retail robots. All surveyed shoppers that liked seeing a robot one time said they felt the same at three or more times.
- Frequent shoppers feel even more positive about robots, liking in-store robots 29% more than infrequent shoppers.
- Most consumers (61%) said they are more likely to shop at retailers who have in-store robots.
The above trends are likely to expand, as younger consumers are most favorable to in-store retail robots, according to the study.
“At the beginning of 2024, IGD predicted that retailers will focus on computer vision, automation, robotics and AI to drive productivity and reduce costs. The number of retailers across geographies that are now leveraging Simbe’s technology is a great example of IGD's prediction coming to fruition," Toby Pickard, retail futures senior partner for the Institute of Grocery Distribution, said in the release. “Regarding the recent survey of U.S. shoppers, the findings align with what I've previously heard from CEOs and store managers, who have told me how Tally is helping drive footfall to their stores as the robot brings joy and excitement to shoppers, especially those with children.
“As the benefits of automation, computer vision, robotics and AI continue to become more apparent — from improving e-commerce pick rates to ensuring planogram compliance and enabling virtual store tours — I expect we will see more and more retailers implementing such technology to ensure they remain operationally efficient and offer the best service to shoppers,” Pickard added.
A more comprehensive look at the shopper sentiment data can be found in the research report online, which was conducted by Diagnostic Measurement Group. Simbe is also hosting a webinar on Oct. 2 at 12 p.m. Pacific Time — "What Retail Shoppers Think of In-store Robots" — to discuss the findings in greater depth.
New partnership
Simbe also announced a new partnership with Turkey-based CarrefourSA, which comes on the heels of new and expanded deployments with Northeast Grocery, Tops Friendly Markets, Price Chopper Supermarkets/Market 32, SpartanNash and Wakefern Food Corp. The collaboration with CarrefourSA emphasizes the value retailers derive from enlisting Simbe’s solutions to digitize physical stores and improve precision and performance across all channels, the company said.
CarrefourSA deployed Tally in select stores this summer, adding a new country to Simbe’s three-continent roster, the release said.
Simbe said retailers such as BJ’s Wholesale, SpartanNash, Schnucks, Wakefern and more, as well as Fortune 500 retailers yet to be formally announced, have realized ROI and transformative impacts on all aspects of their businesses by partnering the company.