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Automation in retail is even worse than you thought
Retail automation promises efficiency but often shifts workload to workers, reduces staffing hours by 14%, and raises consumer price-gouging concerns, say union leaders and lawmakers.
- Last year, retailers accelerated installation of electronic shelf labels and other automation, with Kroger and Walmart rapidly deploying ESLs and self-checkout amid rising worker strain and lawmakers' letters.
- Retailers point to pandemic-driven e-commerce growth as the rationale for automation, but the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and the FTC say profit motives also influenced price changes during COVID-19.
- Workers report being pulled from regular duties to cover e-commerce and repair glitches, while malfunctioning ESLs force store employees to tape handwritten prices and manage tech they weren’t trained for.
- Lawmakers and union officials have pressed Kroger and regulators over pricing and staffing impacts, citing a 1 percent decline in Kroger's staffing hours since last year amid automation concerns.
- Senators warned that facial-recognition-linked pricing could harm shoppers on a budget, Kroger denied using facial recognition for pricing, while Walmart and other chains continue broad ESL rollouts.
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12 Articles
12 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left1Leaning Right0Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution89% Center
Bias Distribution
- 89% of the sources are Center
89% Center
11%
C 89%
Factuality
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