ONE VIEWPOINT
Technology at the forefront…
Future retail: Robots
at your service
W
Lieu Yew Fatt
M a n ag i n g D i re c to r,
O m ro n E l e c t ro n i c s
S i n g a p o re
The arrival of robotics technology is set
to benefit the retail industry as robots
are deployed in e-commerce platforms
as well as bricks-and-mortar stores to
improve efficiency and enhance logistical
and operational functions.
hether it is retail therapy,
weekly grocery runs or
buying a gift for a loved
one to celebrate a special
occasion, shopping is an integral part
of our lives.
The retail landscape has evolved
and consumers today are blessed with a
plethora of options now that they have
access to always-connected devices and
technologies like augmented reality
(AR) that seek to enable more efficient
purchasing decisions.
Alibaba Group’s New Retail
strategy is one example of how retailers
are changing their approach in order
to succeed in this new landscape. It is
taking an omni-channel retail strategy
to connect online shopping with
bricks-and-mortar experiences through
technology and big data. While
consumers walk through physical aisles
of a supermarket or browse online
catalogues, it is easy to overlook a vital
and emerging component of the retail
landscape today — robots.
Robotics play a crucial role in
cultivating a holistic retail experience
for consumers in ways that are
sometimes not even seen or thought
of before. In warehouses, robots
boost productivity and speed up
the dissemination of goods to stores
and customers. Robots have also
been drafted in stores, ready to serve
customers with efficient inventory
management. As the role of robotics
in retail advances, we will see the same
increase in speed and efficiency apply
to the shopping experience as it has for
industrial applications.
Hardwired for efficiency
To satisfy today’s customer expectations
of receiving goods faster and with low
delivery charges, retailers must develop
an effective logistics system. Robots
can help ease the pressure on retailers
by improving logistical functions
that are otherwise time-consuming.
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Retail Asia August 2018
One example is how automation and
robotics are used in smart warehouses
to move large number of items
through warehouse storage systems
in a quick and reliable fashion while
still managing a visibility on the exact
location of each item at all times.
Global retail stalwart Amazon built
its success on automating its warehouse
operations while maintaining its top
10 status in the Biggest Employers
ranking. Fuelled by the support of the
55,000 robots added to its ranks last
year, Amazon offered quicker deliveries
at lower costs and led the retail
industry in sales growth.
Closer to home, robots have
progressively proven themselves
at Alibaba. The company recently
introduced Steel Soldiers, a film about
While consumers
walk through
physical aisles
of a supermarket
or browse online
catalogues,
it is easy to
overlook a vital
and emerging
component
of the retail
landscape today
— robots.