澳洲超市自助收银成趋势，自助结账恐成为历史

Core Viewpoint - The continuous investment in digital innovation by major Australian supermarkets is leading to a decline in traditional cashier interactions, with self-checkout becoming increasingly prevalent [1][3]. Group 1: Self-Checkout Adoption - Self-checkout is rapidly gaining popularity across Australia, with a noticeable reduction in traditional cashier lanes since Coles introduced self-checkout machines in 2004 and Woolworths followed in 2008 [3]. - The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift towards self-service as customers sought to maintain social distance, resulting in a surge in self-checkout usage [3]. - Woolworths launched the Scan&Go trolley in Sydney last August, while Coles is experimenting with AI-driven smart trolleys to allow real-time tracking of purchases without queuing [3]. Group 2: Consumer Behavior and Preferences - A significant portion of customers is adapting to these changes, with 83% of Woolworths customers opting for self-checkout when purchasing fewer than 20 items, and over 75% of Coles customers welcoming self-checkout options [5]. - Despite the benefits of increased shopping choices, some consumers find the transition challenging, particularly amid rising living costs and prices of daily necessities [3][5]. Group 3: Labor and Cost Implications - The shift towards technology in supermarkets is partly driven by high labor costs in Australia, making it expensive to employ cashiers [5]. - Supermarkets are reducing their workforce to lower costs and increase profits, leading to a decreased demand for human cashiers in the future [5]. Group 4: Security Concerns - The rise of self-checkout has raised concerns about retail crime, particularly theft and incorrect scanning of items [5]. - Increased investment in technology and monitoring is expected to mitigate the risks associated with self-checkout errors and theft [5].