Back in July, a survey conducted exclusively for Newsweek found that a majority of Americans wanted self-checkout kiosks to be completely removed from retail stores. The poll noted that 62% of shoppers disliked self-checkout technology because it takes away the job of an actual store cashier. Forty percent of shoppers said they were against self-checkouts because they prefer speaking to someone. And 27% of respondents said they don’t like the technology because it doesn’t accept cash.
The overwhelming sentiment customers had towards self-service technology was distrust. Since its inception, self-service kiosks — an interactive touchscreen device that allows customers to purchase services sans any interactions with a store employee — have been vilified for taking away labor opportunities and reducing labor costs. However, according to a new report from CNN, kiosks have shown “the unintended consequences of technology in fast-food and retail settings,” which surprised consumers, fast-food employees and analysts alike.
