A NEW device attracting interest from major US retailers could put an end to theft in stores while allowing for a better customer experience.
The modern anti-theft measure could prove an efficient alternative to retailers locking away their items behind a glass, and is expected to hit stores soon.
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David Ashforth, the co-founder of Digital Media Vending International, is creating digital shelves to help improve the experience for customers in stores while slashing the number of store thefts.
The company is known for its vending machine models and decided to use them to help combat theft.
Known as an “automated retailer,” these vending machines will replace an entire aisle of merchandise.
With this new device, items will be locked away safely without inconveniencing the customer.
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“The machine will deliver their products to them in real-time, instantly,” he told local NBC affiliate KNTV.
For shoppers to get their items, all they have to do is pay in advance or use an in-store kiosk.
It prints a pickup code that can be entered into the machine, and before they know it they have their products.
This would be a major improvement to the common method of locking things away from the customers.
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“To see padlocks and chains and rudimentary security measures, that really has to be an indicator that something is wrong here,” said David Johnston of the National Retail Federation.
“Retailers don’t want to lock up their merchandise. They know it’s an inconvenience for the shoppers,” Johnston added.
The automated retailer is expected to cost tens of thousands of dollars each. However, due to stores losing $112billion in 2022 due to theft, it could be worth it.
Ashforth added that there are 44 different retailers looking to buy into the vending machine right now, with some even asking if it could be made with bulletproof glass.
“Retailers are asking for help,” said Johnston.
“They’re looking for new and innovative ideas. They’re looking at technology to prevent theft,” he continued.
When imagining the future layout of stores, Ashforth believes that most aisles would remain the same, with only a few items tucked away in the automated shelves.
“In a big retail store, you maybe have 50 aisles. Maybe between one and five of those will be automated,” Ashforth said.
That future could come very soon, as the Digital Media Vending International already has prototypes ready to ship.
According to Ashforth, the products are expected to hit stores within a couple of months.
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“This technology is coming to stores near you,” he said.
As for the thieves who have been stealing merchandise around the country, “it’s over,” he said.
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https://www.the-sun.com/news/9620537/major-retailers-anti-theft-measure-annoyance-shoppers-months/
