How is Apple making their staff redundant?

Yes, I’m an addict! I like my gadgets, and since converting to the bright side just over two years ago, when I got my first macbook, I since had a few Apple products. What I try to stay away from, is the ever-so-tempting Apple Store. Their staff is always so friendly, knowledgable and helpful, and always have bright ideas how to give them your money, quickly and efficiently!

But are they becoming too efficient?

A few days ago I “was in the area” (meaning – same postcode), and remembered I needed a converter for my iphone. I walked in, and was  immediately greeted by a friendly chap, who knew exactly what I wanted, and where it was (upstairs, on that wall *pointing in the general direction*).

I came downstairs, having found my converter, now looking for another friendly face with a handheld checkout device I can just pay and go… easy to find, cause as I was looking around, this lovely girl walks up to me. But instead of offering to check me out (as in, pay for the goods – nothing else!), she asked me if I have an iPhone! Of course I have! (I’m an addict, remember?).

I pull it out of my pocket, and she shows me there’s an app (of course there was!) which makes the whole shopping experience a lot quicker and more efficient. The App is called Apple Store (Linked). The app is using geo-location technology to suggest the store you’re in, opens up the camera app, has a built in barcode scanner, enabling you to scan any product in the shop. To use the app, you log in using your Apple ID (which already has your credit card information) – Scan and Go!

From a customer’s perspective, it’s very convenient. If I’m busy and know what I want, I can just walk it, grab, scan and go. What I’m raising here is a concern I have on the future work force. On the one hand, the trend of quick and automatic check out will reduce the need for unskilled workers, manning these checkouts. Less jobs (as we currently see them) will be available for the less educated workforce. If this is the trend, will that increase the level or the need for higher education? Who will absorb that cost? Our government? Us?

It is easier at this stage for technology companies like Apple to come up with these solutions for self check outs. Our major grocery retailers already have invested $Millions in automatic check out lanes, reducing the need for checkout staff (only at supervision level). I’m not sure what the future hold for the smaller businesses, but there are some RFID initiatives which will completely replace the need for barcode and scanners, and provide integrated solution for retailers, which will make our shopping experience very different to what we’ve grown accustomed to.