AYABONGA CAWE: The convenience of cashierless shopping: at what cost to labour?
Checkers is trying it out, but we know it will affect those with low earnings and further raise inequality
22 August 2021 - 16:44
Soon Checkers will have stores without checkout counters. As parent company Shoprite Holdings suggests, this is about using technology for a more convenient shopping experience and — you guessed it — to better monitor customer preferences and behaviour.
Discussions raged last week, with a combination of awe, excitement and shock at this announcement. The large retailer was clear that this is a pilot and the “guinea pigs” are its own staff. Yet this is little comfort for many South Africans concerned about this move...
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