COUNTRY FOCUS: FRANCE
“
RETAILERS
REPORTED AN
11% INCREASE
IN SALES IN
STORES WITH
AUTOMATION
COMPARED
TO STORES
WITH NO/LOW
AUTOMATION.
www.intelligentcio.com
consumers overall are willing to purchase
more online from retailers who accept returns
of online orders in-store using automation
technologies, and consumers expect they
would purchase 22% more if this were the
case. Retailers also reported an 11% increase
in sales in stores with automation compared
to stores with no/low automation.
“Automation is an important part of how we
respond to changing customer needs,” said
Kristian Bjørseth, Head of Payments and
IDs at Coop Norway. “Previously, our stores
closed at 11pm and couldn’t serve people
returning home late at night, often looking
for something quick to eat. So, we introduced
Coop Key, an app that allows consumers to
enter an unstaffed store after hours and self-
serve entirely. We’re now seeing substantial
revenues between 11pm and midnight, and
improved numbers for high-margin products
such as frozen pizzas. Security and age
verification are ensured by biometrics in the
app that identify every individual customer.”
Customers want retailers to link
automation to sustainability
Retailers and their customers alike see the
need to link automation to the sustainability
agenda. Three quarters (75%) of retailers
think automation can help them offer more
sustainable and environmentally friendly
solutions. This reflects a growing consumer
desire to shop with retailers that can
demonstrate green credentials. Consumers
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