Category Archives: retail automation

Automated Retail Systems and Retail Automation

The automated retail industry is one of the two core technology showplaces today (financial Services being #2).

- Emerging technologies such as robotics, lockers, digital signage, vending and automated vending lead the way. Amazon and Google revolutionize physical delivery. OuterWall has another great idea (or not).
- More mature retail technology includes interactive displays, next-generation POS, mobile interplay, multi-touch, kiosks for self-service, video services, and customer service technology.
- Companion technologies include ATMs, kiosks, Advanced ATMS, NFC and thin client.
- Standards – here we have more regulatory guidelines in play along with more standards than any other industry. PCI, OPOS, JPOS, MPOS, HIPAA, ADA, UL, CE just to name a few.

Convenience RFID Pilot Decision Sheet: a one-page approval checklist

The Convenience RFID Pilot Decision Sheet is a one-page PDF worksheet for convenience retailers and technology providers. It helps turn a promising vendor conversation into a defined, measurable test—with a specific store problem, clear ownership, and agreed conditions for approval, provided by Retail OCD in cooperation with RetailSystems.org. Designed for use after NACS vendor conversations or during pilot… Read More: Convenience RFID Pilot Decision Sheet: a one-page approval checklist »

NACS 2026: Connected technology reshapes c-store operations; 10 takeaways

Convention Report, Takeaways, Exhibitors Published reports call the U.S. c-store business a mature industry in terms of growth, but technology offers big opportunities to gain share of consumer spending. That much was obvious at this past week’s NACS 2026 show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. System integration emerged as a central technology theme: exhibitors connected checkout, payments,… Read More: NACS 2026: Connected technology reshapes c-store operations; 10 takeaways »

G2E 2026: Gaming kiosks become identity, payment and compliance hubs – 6 takeaways

A humanoid, robotic baccarat dealer turns heads at the AA Slots/LT Game exhibit. Convention Report G2E 2026 made one point clear this past week: gaming technology is no longer organized around separate slot, cage, loyalty and surveillance systems. Across the show floor, suppliers presented a connected player journey in which kiosks, payment devices, casino management platforms, biometrics and… Read More: G2E 2026: Gaming kiosks become identity, payment and compliance hubs… »

NPA 2026: Parking infrastructure evolves to tech hubs – 10 takeaways

Alex Israel and Peter Fisher of Metropolis Technologies Inc. see a massive opportunity for the parking industry during the NPA show keynote session. Show Report For most people, few activities are seen as inconvenient as parking. Those who attended last week’s 75th annual National Parking Association convention in Las Vegas plan to change that perception. Exhibitors and speakers… Read More: NPA 2026: Parking infrastructure evolves to tech hubs – 10… »

Cash Discount – Consumers Want More Payment Options

Provocative article by Jordan Thaeler is a deliberately provocative argument that the U.S. card-payments market is structurally broken: Visa and Mastercard, together with issuing banks and payment intermediaries, can keep extracting rising merchant fees because merchants lack meaningful negotiating power and practical alternatives. Its proposed remedy is not a permanent 10% card surcharge, but an intentionally conspicuous 10%… Read More: Cash Discount – Consumers Want More Payment Options »

Top 100 Retailers – TIG Index

Ranking America’s Largest Retailers on Workforce and Customer Technology Retail rankings traditionally answer one question: Who sells the most? The TIG Retail Technology 100 asks a second question: Which of America’s largest retailers are making the best use of technology for their employees and their customers? The 2026 National Retail Federation Top 100 Retailers provides the starting point.… Read More: Top 100 Retailers – TIG Index »

Grocery Trends in Tech by Progressive Grocer 2026

Nice article this month from Progressive Grocery on Tech Trends Study The study’s core message is that grocery technology spending remains resilient in 2026, but retailers are directing it toward owned digital experiences, operational productivity, loyalty, pricing agility, and practical AI rather than flashy hardware experiments. The survey of 70 grocery retailers shows AI moving from pilots into… Read More: Grocery Trends in Tech by Progressive Grocer 2026 »

RetailNOW 2026 – Discovery and execution call for stronger tech partnerships: 10 takeaways

Retail author Carl Boutet describes challenges facing tech providers to RSPA’s Jim Roddy during the general session. Show Report The pace of change in retail technology is coming faster than many people realize. That much was evident at last week’s RetailNOW 2026 at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. Those who attended came away better prepared to take on… Read More: RetailNOW 2026 – Discovery and execution call for stronger tech… »

Tech partners to converge at RetailNOW in Las Vegas

Convention Preview Everyone working with retail technology today finds themself on information overload. A reality that makes tech partnerships important. The RetailNOW show, July 26 to 28 at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas, offers an opportunity to meet partners in all aspects of this ever-changing landscape to harness the emerging capabilities of AI, IoT, data analytics, edge computing,… Read More: Tech partners to converge at RetailNOW in Las Vegas »

Tiger Report offers multi-faceted insight on self-service kiosk industry’s double-digit growth

Report Overview The self-service kiosk industry continues to expand at a fast pace, driven by evolving automation technology and growing customer acceptance of self-service in nearly all venues. Companies and organizations seeking to understand this technology-intensive sector now have a comprehensive and easy-to-understand resource, the Tiger 2026 Market Report, courtesy of the Kiosk Manufacturer Association and The Industry… Read More: Tiger Report offers multi-faceted insight on self-service kiosk industry’s double-digit… »