Los Angeles Times Ties Self Service And Vending To Declining Retail Employment
An article in The Los Angeles Times blames self service kiosks and vending machines for the decline in retail employment.
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Editor's Insight: What could have been a very informative article about self service technology was overshadowed by a misdirected focus on self service's impact on retail employment.
The rise of self service does impact traditional retail, but only minimally.
The investment required for a self service kiosk or highly sophisticated vending machine limits the opportunities for these installations.
In response to this article, Walter Reed, a long-time vending industry observer, wrote a letter to the editor that gives historical perspective to reports claiming that self service innovations would replace traditional stores, as noted in another news item in today's VendingMarketWatch. 03-10-11 Elliot Maras