New Raydiant Report Shows Just 12% of Sales Associates Worry Automation Will Replace Their Jobs
Digital signage and in-store experience solutions provider Raydiant has released the findings from their new report, the Reopening of Retail: Insights From 500 Sales Associates.
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From May 21-27 2020, Raydiant surveyed 500 respondents who identified themselves as sales associates at brick-and-mortar retail locations. Survey respondents were all currently employed at the time they took the survey. Of the total group, 74% worked for major chains, such as Walmart or Nordstrom, while the remainder worked for independently owned businesses.
Bobby Marhamat, CEO of Raydiant said: “As brick-and-mortar retailers prepare to reopen, sales associates will play a critical role in creating in-store experiences that give customers a reason to visit their physical location. Forward-thinking operators will empower their sales associates by providing them with tools and training to create these experiences.”
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Key Findings:
- Most sales associates who still have jobs believe they will keep them. Over 75% believed their jobs were secure, while 13% were concerned and the other 12% were not sure. Given the large numbers of associates who have already been laid off, retail workers have understandable doubts.
- Sales associates aren’t worried about losing their jobs to automation. Despite the noise about robots taking over more retail duties, sales associates remain unbothered. Our survey found that only 12% believed robots would replace their roles, with most associates believing robots would not affect them or they would work together.
- About half of sales associates feel protected — but not as protected as customers. Regarding workers’ health, 48% believed their employers placed an extremely high priority on their well-being. When it came to customers, though, that number rose to 54.8%.
- Retail workers expect more rigorous cleaning processes and curbside pickup to stay. Half of survey respondents said their stores had implemented stricter cleaning and sanitary procedures, and 43% expected to keep those procedures after the pandemic. For curbside pickup, 29% said their stores had adopted the change and 23% expected the offering to become permanent.
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