Just about everyone has used a self-checkout line at a grocery store by now. But did you know that self-checkout is just one type of frictionless technology for retail? Today, more and more business owners are turning to this type of technology to improve their customer experience both in stores and online. Here's why you might want to look into this tech for your own business and some examples of specific options that might be a good fit for your customer base.

Reduced Labor Costs Due to Fewer Cashiers Up Front Thanks to Self-Checkout

More and more retail stores are learning today what many groceries learned years ago. Self-checkout can get customers through the checkout lanes faster—and investment in this frictionless tech can also save the business owner money on labor over time. This is because you won't have to hire as many human cashiers once you have self-checkouts installed. One human employee can stand by to assist customers with any issues that arise as needed.

Take Your Store's App to the Next Level With Voice Technology or Provide Automated Voice Support on the Sales Floor

Does your store have its own app or would you like to build one in the near future? Another type of frictionless tech that is growing in popularity is to integrate your app into the voice support systems that are offered today by the leading smartphone manufacturers. A customer could simply open your app, tap a button, and say, "Re-order my last purchase" or ask for a specific item. The customer's payment information is already saved within the app and can be charged automatically and then the item can either be shipped to the customer automatically or they can receive a notification from your app on their phone once the item is ready for in-store pickup.

For your sales floor, it may be possible to set up a kiosk that can verbally direct the customer to the right aisle for a certain product or the customer can do their own price check that can pop right up on a screen if an employee is not available.

Personalized Online Experiences Including One-Click Shopping

Regardless of whether you have an app or not, many retail businesses now have an online presence in the form of a store where people can buy products from the comfort of their homes. The latest frictionless technology could help you set up an online portal or site that can offer each customer a personalized shopping experience based on their buying history. You may also be able to add an online wallet or one-click shopping. Frictionless tech at its best is about making the buying process as easy as possible for the customer so they don't have to think twice about it.

If you're interested in purchasing or learning more about frictionless technology for retail, contact a supplier today!