Fully automated stores, logistics software improvements and immersive AI are among the top five retail technology trends for 2024, according to Romanian hardware and software firm BobNet.

BobNet is one of the largest retail automation hardware and software providers in Europe. It has announced five key trends that it believes will steer the future of retail, a future centred on prioritising full automation, revolutionised logistics, marketing and sales.

The five trends are fully automated stores, advanced logistics software, super convenience stores, immersive artificial intelligence (AI), and products as services.

Automated retail stores can be defined as the stores that offer unique customers’ experience, allowing them to make a better use of their time than spending large amounts of time within the stores. These automated stores integrate hardware and software automation systems to create fully automated self-service retail, with self check-out, automated instructions, selling, payment and product delivery.

Automated stores will be one of the most important smart technology advancements, along with changing customer shopping behaviour in retail, powered by the swift progress in connected technologies and automation to revolutionise the new way of shopping, says BobNet.

Software-driven networks are becoming imperative for delivery retail, enabling companies to maintain market resilience. Despite initial problems, quick-commerce is transitioning into a more optimised logistical model, driven by software advancements. If things move fast in food and retail tech, nothing comes close to the speed at which quick-commerce services have evolved in the past few years. Now, the number of players has shrunk enough to make this market healthier, while preparing for continued growth in 2024.

Super-convenience stores are redefining proximity retail. To support the new optimised system for delivery and automated stores, ultra-proximity retail points will evolve to serve end consumers, saving them time and providing the most efficient retail services right where they need it. Situated in dynamic urban areas, super-convenience stores will grow in numbers, predicts BobNet, as part of the mission to provide immediate access to products, saving consumers time while offering improved retail services and delivery.

Immersive AI will improve in-store experiences. With guided AI assistance, interactive demonstrations and gamified experiences, automation technologies will become not only tools for optimising profits for retailers, but a more exciting experience for shoppers.

“In 2024, we will see more retailers incorporate virtual assistants or chatbots that guide customers through the store layout, product selection or provide recommendations,” says BobNet. There will be AR and VR experiences for hands-on interaction with the products. These will integrate gamification elements into the store interface to make the interaction more engaging.

As to products as services, BobNet believes the future of retail is renting, not owning. The surge in renting within the retail sector mirrors changing consumer preferences. Modern consumers will prioritise experiences and access over ownership. More innovative renting business models will start to empower users with the freedom to select, exchange and experience a diverse array of products tailored to their evolving needs, reflecting a pivotal trend towards responsible consumption.

BobNet (www.bobnet.tech) anticipates a global impact from these trends in 2024. Backed by NCH Capital, BobNet aims to be a significant player in the digital transformation and automation in the global retail market, changing the industry through technologies created to automate sales and logistics processes, offering end consumers a better retail experience and a new way for retailers to expand sales.