Research Says Retail Robots Spark Curiosity and Joy: Could They Boost Foot Traffic for Pet Stores?

Written by Jordan Tyler

Do robots make you happy? According to recent research by Diagnostic Measurement Group (DMG), for many shoppers, robot sightings in retail stores are a welcome spectacle. Consumers reported feeling a range of positive emotions when seeing retail robots in stores, ranging from interested (46%), happy (41%), and curious (36%) to amused (34%), surprised (30%), and even calm (29%).?

The survey, which polled 400 consumers from around the United States who had shopped at a retailer with a robot in the previous three months, specifically evaluated consumer sentiments around three common retail robots in commission today: Tally by Simbe Robotics, Marty by Badger Technologies, and robotic scrubbers by Brain Corp. Tally has been introduced in several grocery store chains, such as Albertsons Markets, CarrefourSA, ShopRite, Price Chopper, and Tops Friendly Markets locations across the United States and abroad; Marty can be found in Stop & Shop, Giant and Martin’s grocery stores; and robotic scrubbers are being used widely by Sam’s Club.?

As a society, we are, evidently, warming up to the idea of robots as integral parts of our daily lives—so much so that Elon Musk is developing a line of personal humanoid robots called Optimus, which will be “capable of performing tasks that are unsafe, repetitive, or boring,” according to Tesla Optimus on X (formerly Twitter). While Optimus is still in development, this news makes it clear that robotics are here to stay, in stores and at home.

Could Shop Bots Bring Pet Owners Back to the Indie Channel?

Understanding your consumer is crucial in today’s competitive CPG marketplace, and particularly in the increasingly competitive pet care sector. To make matters more complex, consumer sentiments around shopping for pet products have drastically changed following the COVID-19 pandemic, causing a rapid shift toward lower prices, more convenience, and reliable service.

The independent retail channel is struggling to stay afloat in the face of e-commerce giants, big box stores, and discount retailers. While many indie pet stores have adopted services and practices that allow pet owners to shop online and pick up curbside to stay competitive, this channel has yet to see a full return to in-store shopping.

Could robots be the answer? Based on how much shoppers enjoy seeing them in-store, it’s a compelling consideration we can’t afford to ignore.?

According to the DMG survey, shoppers equate retail robots with innovation and growth. Eighty-four percent of shoppers surveyed said shopping at a store with a robot gives the impression that the retailer is innovative, while 76% felt that the presence of robots reflected the retailer’s investment in customer experience.

What’s more, 61% of respondents said they would be “much more likely” or “somewhat more likely” to shop at a retail store with robots. Younger shoppers like Gen Z and Millennials—which currently make up half of the pet-owning population and will take over the majority in the coming years—are particularly fond of in-store robots, with 87% of Gen Z and 86% of Millennial shoppers reporting very or somewhat positive feelings about them.

This begs the question—what would the use of friendly neighborhood robots look like for our friendly neighborhood pet stores? Consumer-facing robotic innovation is still in its early stages but ramping up with considerable speed. Given positive shopper sentiments around the use of bots in retail, this approach could very well attract pet owners back to the independent retail channel. (Imagine an autonomous pet retail robot that can track inventory, restock shelves, and dispense treats for customers’ four-legged companions. That sounds like a crowd-pleaser!)

Traditionally, indie pet retailers have differentiated themselves by offering premium or even exclusive products that pet owners can’t find elsewhere, as well as having knowledgeable store employees to answer customer questions and guide them toward the right products. By introducing robots into this retail channel, store owners could refocus the efforts of their staff toward consumer care and education, shifting more mundane tasks—like stocking shelves, scrubbing floors, and updating prices for promotions—to their android coworkers.?

Some of the best uses of robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence seen to date have been focused not on replacing human labor, but augmenting it by taking over tedious tasks and freeing up time for the living, breathing brains in the room to focus their efforts elsewhere. This could be a real game-changer for indie pet retailers, allowing them to home in on their claim to fame of customer service, improving employee experience and morale, and leaving the dirty work to the robots.

Of course, this trend comes as a double-edged sword. Robots aren’t cheap—for example, Tesla plans to offer its Optimus models for the cool price of $20,000 to $30,000 to start. Commercial autonomous robots are likely to be much more expensive in the long run, not to mention the cost of supporting software.

Hopefully, machines like this will become more accessible as advancements are made. But ultimately, as the market for retail-roving robots develops, this will be a trend to watch regardless of cost.?

Your Trusted (Human) Partners

?The manufacturing industry knows a thing or two about robotics, and our engineering experts at BSM Partners are well-versed in how the use of automation, artificial intelligence, and robotics can significantly improve efficiency and quality.

We’re no one-trick-wonder, either. BSM Partners’ consumer strategy know-how has helped countless brands achieve success in highly competitive markets, and as consumer preferences and sentiments shift with the times, our team remains ready to propel your business forward.

As we shift toward a more robotic reality, it’s crucial to partner with experts who understand current trends in the market, can predict future trends, and deliver solutions that bridge that gap and drive success for brands. Reach out to BSM Partners today to learn more about how we can help your business succeed today and in the future.

About the author: Jordan Tyler is the Director of Media at BSM Partners. She has more than five years of experience reporting on trends, best practices, and developments in the North American pet nutrition industry. Tyler resides in Bentonville, Arkansas, with her husband and their four furry family members.