According to research, only 36% of cashiers say they are not looking for a new job [1]. The rest are exploring other opportunities for a variety of reasons. Those who openly admit they dislike their current workplace most commonly cite low pay (42%), difficult working conditions (34%), and the repetitive, routine nature of their tasks (28%) [2]. The latter two factors are largely linked to the fact that many standard retail processes are still performed manually, even though they can be streamlined using solutions such as mobile applications, hybrid checkouts, and modern retail software.
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Automating retail processes does not mean that retail employees should fear for their jobs. On the contrary, it provides them with tools that improve efficiency, simplify everyday tasks, and reduce the risk of burnout. Which activities no longer need to be carried out by hand?
Manually entering data into the system
Adding a new product to the assortment, registering deliveries, and checking stock levels all have one thing in common: they require employees to fill in numerous fields within the store management system. Manually entering product information is time-consuming, tedious, and stressful, as it carries a significant risk of errors. It is also one of the factors that can contribute to cashier burnout. In 2025, burnout affected nearly eight in ten retail employees [3].
Although manual data entry remains an industry standard, we are seeing growing interest among retailers in automating goods receipt processes. The reasons are varied, ranging from labour shortages and the desire to speed up repetitive tasks to the need to optimise costs. Retail software plays a central role in achieving these objectives. It should be integrated via API with an external solution that enables the automatic import of all essential information about products received into stock.
Manual stocktaking is no longer a necessity
In some retail outlets, stock counts are still carried out manually. As with data entry, this is a time-consuming task with a high risk of errors. Inventory accuracy is particularly important because it directly affects ordering processes. Mistakes can result in stock shortages or overstocking, often creating additional storage challenges. Barcode scanners help accelerate and simplify this process.
Inventory control is equally important on the shop floor. Store employees are responsible for ensuring that products are always available for customers. One modern solution that supports this task is the use of smart shelves. Equipped with sensors, these shelves determine product quantities based on weight. As a result, staff no longer need to manually check whether products are available on the sales floor – they receive this information almost automatically.
Non-automated price verification
Store employees are also responsible for ensuring that shelf prices match those recorded in the system. If a discrepancy is identified, customers are entitled to pay the lower of the two prices. Manual price verification is a tedious task that can be significantly streamlined through mobile solutions. For example, the iXpos-Mobile application allows employees to scan a product barcode and instantly check its price. This eliminates the need to spend hours comparing product data against printed price lists.
Electronic shelf labels are another effective way to minimise pricing discrepancies. By integrating these labels with a central system, product prices can be updated automatically without replacing physical labels. This also enables dynamic pricing strategies, allowing retailers to adjust prices according to current demand, competitor activity, or stock levels.
Manually managing promotional activities
The visibility of promotions in-store is crucial to their effectiveness. Employees must not only enter promotional information into the system but also ensure that discounts are clearly communicated on the shelves. This process becomes much easier when retail software can generate promotional price labels that stand out through larger fonts or distinctive colours. In the iXpos system, such templates are available for both traditional and electronic shelf labels.
The need for constant customer service
Another example of a manual process that can be partially automated is customer service. In large retail chains, self-service checkouts have become the new standard. They help reduce queues and free up employees to focus on other tasks. But what if a store is too small to accommodate additional checkout equipment? In such cases, hybrid checkouts provide an effective solution, operating either in cashier-assisted mode or self-service mode depending on current needs.
What is particularly important while implementing this solution?
- Access to loyalty programmes – discounts, loyalty points, and personalised promotions should be available across all channels, including self-service and hybrid checkouts in retail stores.
- Audio notifications – these allow staff to monitor whether self-service transactions are proceeding correctly. Employees can focus on other tasks, such as replenishing shelves, while receiving alerts if their assistance is required.
- Transaction lock and unlock functionality – when products require staff approval, for example due to age restrictions, the checkout should allow the transaction to be authorised immediately before payment. This reduces the need for employees to repeatedly interrupt their current tasks.
These features are available, among others, within the iXpos self-service system. Furthermore, the iXpos-SCO module is compatible with standard checkout equipment, including scales, barcode scanners, and fiscal printers.
Retail software and automation
Solutions such as mobile applications, self-service and hybrid checkouts, and sales management platforms represent an important step towards the digital transformation of retail networks. They make it possible to automate time-consuming tasks and improve operational efficiency. The retail industry is already moving in this direction. According to the World Economic Forum, by 2030 only 42% of the processes required to operate retail outlets will be carried out exclusively by humans [4]. The remainder will be partially or fully automated, helping businesses reduce operating costs, improve employee satisfaction, and deliver a better customer experience. It is an opportunity that retailers can begin taking advantage of today.
Sources
[1] Randstad, Labour Market Monitor, 2025,
[2] Pracuj.pl, Cashiers in the Labour Market: Salaries, Development and Expectations,
[3] UKG 2025 Retail Workforce Report,
[4] World Economic Forum, Future of Jobs Report 2025,
