According to Axis Communications India Retail Research 2022 study, titled “Consumer Preferences Towards Unmanned Store Experiences,” Milieu Insight was commissioned to poll 1,000 Indian consumers about their preferences for physical shopping in the post-pandemic era and their expectations of unmanned stores.
In the post-pandemic era, customers in India were less likely to visit or spend at physical stores. This applies to all types of establishments, including high-end restaurants, pharmacies, grocery stores supermarkets, convenience stores, shopping malls, as well as department stores. According to the report, Indian consumers’ intent to shop in physical stores has decreased by 12% in the new normal compared to the pre-pandemic era. A large majority of respondents (79%) said they are more likely to visit unmanned stores, which are physical businesses with few employees. This shows that, if social distancing and contactless protocols are integrated into operational operations, customers today may consider unmanned stores as safer places to visit.
Self-checkouts are viewed as a crucial feature for unmanned stores by 50% of respondents in India. In an event of an emergency, half of the respondents preferred having service assistants. Unmanned stores need to be safe and secure. These establishments should have video monitoring to deter crime and manage consumer experience, according to respondents. Its experiences for specific sorts of establishments, such as supermarkets, shopping malls, and grocery stores, appear to be more popular in India.
“Consumer inclinations toward health, safety, and convenience are driving the rapid adoption of contactless experiences and are expected to become the new physical and mortar retail reality,” Sudhindra Holla, Director, at Axis, stated. We expect an accelerated implementation of unmanned storefronts across India as retailers shift to fulfill customer expectations, in line with national programs like Digital India and the Smart Cities Mission.
“Whether fully or partially autonomous, these stores rely on artificial intelligence (AI), QR code verification, and clever video cameras to operate. To provide safe customer experiences, these technologies will be required to support critical operations of unmanned stores such as self-checkout, movement tracking, and security,” Holla stated.
Axis video surveillance systems were created in response to the changing retail landscape and its ramifications, which necessitates innovative and practical techniques to improve operational efficiency, shopper safety, and customer experiences, as well as contribute to long-term profitability. Axis solutions can help prevent shoplifting and shrinkage, secure your store with active warnings, keep your customers informed, and maintain a great shopping environment, all while collecting data for long-term analysis.
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