Robots could lead to the replacement of almost 40 percent of all retail jobs over the next 10 years, a new study said.
The study by Cornerstone Capital Group said that 6 million to 7.5 million retail jobs could be at risk, Fox6 reported. The automation would likely be greatest for cashiers, salespeople, and even some aspects of stocking shelves, the study said.
Retail jobs lost to automation could even exceed those lost in the manufacturing sector, Fox6 reported. Women are expected to be hit hard, since 73 percent of cashiers are women, and the retail sector in general employs more women.
"Labor productivity has been stagnant in the retail industry for a long time and now we’re seeing minimum wage increases around the country and a tight labor market that’s forcing up wages," Cornerstone research head John Wilson said, according to Fast Company. "That’s putting pressure on companies to solve these problems at a time when a lot of these technologies are coming into play."
The study comes amid ongoing struggles in the retail sector as consumers continue to shift to online purchases and some retailers realize that they overbuilt new stores without the customer base to fill them. Furthermore, smartphones can often give more information than salespeople about available options or suggestions on complementary products to buy, Fast Company noted.
While greater automation may be possible, retailers that can create a fun, personal customer experience will still be in demand for those who don’t prefer the more impersonal nature of the automated experience, Fast Company reported.
Twitter users found the study interesting and thought it might be a good time for innovation.
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