未来的超市

安徽 王保霞

科技的进步以及自动化技术的普及使得自助服务越来越受欢迎。无人超市会成为未来超市的主流吗？

It's cold and gloomy, and if you run out of milk, it's a fifteen⁃minute drive to the supermarket. But this wooden con⁃tainer offers a lifeline. You use an app to open the doors. Your phone scans what⁃ever you need. And the bill is charged to your bank card.

Critics argue it's a less sociable shop⁃ping experience. But during the pandemic,that's a bonus.

A manager stocks the shelves here once a week, but with no other staff to pay,it's saved the firm's founders a lot of money. Many of the entrepreneurs here think unmanned stores will soon be the mainstream.

Cecilia Johansson, an entrepreneur,believes that the challenge is, of course,the older generation that have a habit of go⁃ing to stores and meet other people. How⁃ever, people have seen quick, rapid grow⁃th of digitalisation due to the pandemic, so the behaviour of the consumers is chang⁃ing.

But so far, there are no plans to take staff away from Sweden's biggest super⁃markets, where retail bosses say customers want advice and inspiration, not just some⁃thing to snack on. Back in Hummelsta,nine out of ten adults have already tried the unmanned store, and anyone struggling with technology is offered help—so it's easy to pick up that carton of milk or perhaps something to sweeten the taste of Sweden's dark,bitter winter.

Reading Check

Who is reluctant to accept a less sociable shopping experience according to Cecilia Johansson?

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