What: Experts in the retail technology space believe that physical stores will soon employ less people and rely on technology like avatars and robots.

Why it is important: The rise of technology in the retail space could be an answer to staff shortages and offer a better customer experience.

“Avatarizing service people” is how one German software development company is approaching it as they argue that self-service kiosks aren’t friendly or intuitive. The company, Humanizing Technology, offers a full-service experience with its cartoon avatars. From welcoming and directing customers, to recommending and up-selling products, as well as speaking multiple languages, the avatars can easily act as salespeople within the retail space.

Verizon offers Proto, a holographic human, which can pose and twirl just like a showroom model as well as communicate through body language and a voiced narrative that talks through the outfit. The 3D hologram gives a full body effect and shows how fabric falls and how items fit while also allowing customers to customize products on the screen. Burberry is currently rolling out Verizon’s Proto across its flagship stores and sees it as a way of bringing their VIP clients closer to their brand.

Hyservsn holograms offers products that can be custom scaled to suit any environment, with a large scale product being ideal for larger spaces like department stores. Their avatar allows 2-way interaction with a digitally rendered human avatar that has real-time conversations with users. The company also offers a high definition product display that can make a product appear to be floating in midair.

The retail space is becoming more phygital as these tools become more accessible and common within the industry.

The retail store of tomorrow will be staffed with avatars, robots, and holograms