Shoppers queuing for up to 40 minutes for a specific cashier at a US supermarket has drawn attention across the grocery retail sector. The incident, widely reported in US media, highlights a broader trend in grocery retail: some customers are prepared to accept longer checkout wait times in exchange for personalised service and human interaction. At a time when supermarket chains are investing heavily in self-checkout technology and automation, the case raises questions about how customer experience, re ...

Core Insights - Walgreens is increasing its use of robots in prescription filling across its retail locations, aiming to have 11 micro-fulfillment centers operational for over 5,000 stores by the end of the year [1][2] - The micro-fulfillment centers currently handle 40% of the prescription volume at supported pharmacies, equating to approximately 16 million prescriptions filled monthly [2] - The centers are designed to alleviate workload for pharmacists and technicians, allowing them to focus more on patient care, while also reducing costs and increasing efficiency [3] Company Strategy - The micro-fulfillment centers provide Walgreens with a competitive advantage over independent pharmacies and some competitors that lack centralized support [4] - The company is undergoing a turnaround plan while awaiting acquisition by Sycamore Partners, with recent reports indicating a 4.1% increase in sales and a significant reduction in operating loss from $13.2 billion to $5.6 billion [5] Industry Context - Other major retailers like Walmart, Albertsons, and Kroger are also exploring or utilizing micro-fulfillment facilities for dispensing both grocery items and prescriptions [4] - Walmart aims to enhance pharmacy staff interactions with patients by using fulfillment centers to minimize routine tasks and reduce inventory waste [5] - The industry is increasingly leveraging automation and robotics to address labor shortages and improve operational efficiency, as seen in initiatives by both Walmart and Amazon [6][7]