Travel retail refers to convenience stores and duty-free shops in different transit hubs. They are a last-minute savior for travelers who want souvenirs, essentials, or less expensive luxury items.

The only issue is that traditional checkout systems in these stores often negatively impact sales. However, with autonomous checkout benefits, travel retail can attract more customers than ever! If you’re curious, let’s know about these benefits here!

Improved speed and efficiency

Bus terminals, train/subway stations, and airports have a huge crowd, with hundreds or even thousands around at once. In such bustling environments, time is precious.

If they have to buy something on the go from traditional retail stores, they’ll have to wait in line until it’s their turn to pay/order. This can be a massive inconvenience as they might miss their commute. Furthermore, being stuck while shopping can be a significant annoyance. It makes travelers tired, and they can’t make the most of their time.

However, with an AI-powered autonomous checkout system, travelers can avoid waiting in queues for good. These systems are equipped with sensor data technology, high-resolution computerized cameras, and AI technology, which enhance the shopping experience.  Hence, travelers can enter the store, pick up necessities, and make payments without waiting in a long queue.

With quick deployment and exceptionally high accuracy from day one, the system processes purchases and bills customers directly. Thus reducing  any kind of delay in these high-traffic environments. Even travelers with only a few minutes on their hands can grab necessities without fail.

Frictionless experience

Long queues aren’t the only pain point while shopping in stores with traditional checkouts. It also includes the entire experience where travelers have to interact with the cashier, find cash/card, or even work with complicated self-checkout machines, making  the entire experience rigid. If they forget to buy something, travelers are less likely to return. On the other hand, stores with seamless experience will attract customers for more.

Customers with mobility, hearing, and speaking issues also feel more comfortable with such systems. They don’t feel comfortable pushing through queues and communicating with human staff.

More revenues

Autonomous checkout systems boost retail store revenues in multiple ways. For instance, since travelers have a seamless experience, they’re more likely to buy again from you while waiting for their commute. Potential customers avoid crowded stores if they have other options, don’t need the product urgently, or they are short on time. 86% of people won’t shop if they feel the queue is too long. Since transit hubs have extremely high traffic, stores have to appoint way more staff to manage operations.

As customers won’t need any assistance with checking out with this technology, stores can also save money by eliminating cashier staff while further reducing  overhead costs by up to 25% in stores.

They can instead operate with minimum employees that help customers find the right product, answer product queries, or manage shelf stock. With the saved resources, stored can improve customer service by training the remaining staff and keeping the shop clean, enhancing  customer satisfaction and perception of the store.

Better safety

Autonomous checkout systems reduce direct contact in different ways. For instance, since it is a type of contactless payment, travelers won’t have to exchange cash or use their cards on a public swiping machine.

Similarly, as it reduces queues and wait times, people won’t have to face crowds and can maintain a safe distance from each other. After COVID-19 and when mpox threatens the world with another pandemic, it’s a fantastic benefit for retail stores.

24/7 accessibility

Another exciting benefit of using autonomous checkout technology in transit hub retail stores is 24/7 store operations. Stores don’t need to hire 24/7 frontline workers, especially when there’s low traveler traffic, like at night or way early in the morning. During these hours, stores can still be open without workers. There won’t be any missed sales due to lack of staff.

Improved sustainability

Nowadays, customers are aware of environmental issues and want to do their part to reduce their carbon footprint. So, they’re attracted to sustainable businesses. With autonomous checkout systems, stores can send digital receipts instead of paper ones. Specific autonomous systems also use sensors for lighting, heating, and cooling systems. Thus, they save electricity when there’s nobody in the store.

Thus, stores can stand out as eco-conscious, sustainable businesses and appeal to the masses with this.

Conclusion

Besides these, autonomous checkout technology offers excellent insights and data that help with personalization and better inventory management. So, embrace the technology in your travel retail and reap these benefits now!

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