GoKawiil
Tech News
Square, the payments unit of Block Inc., has launched self-service kiosks that use AI voice technology to take food orders in fast-food restaurants. The company is positioning dining as a stronger fit for automated ordering than grocery self-checkout, which has drawn customer complaints elsewhere.
Many major retailers are reducing their investment in self-checkout technology due to its inefficiency and operational issues. Companies like Walmart, Costco, and Kroger have increased staff at these lanes, while Dollar General and Target have limited or removed kiosks entirely. Amazon also exited its cashierless store model following reports of remote checkout management.
A recent survey reveals that only 36% of retail operators plan to invest in self-checkout technology this year, a decline from previous years. Retailers are increasingly shifting away from self-checkout due to its failure to deliver time savings and its association with higher theft and error rates. Other technological upgrades, like electronic shelf labels and automated invoicing, remain more popular among retailers.