Perhaps it comes as no surprise that unmanned retail environments are on the rise. They’ve shown exponential market growth in recent years. Everyone from e-commerce giants and major retail chains to smart cities, corner stores, and pop-ups is getting on board. While it’s easy to see the mass appeal of unmanned retail experiences, not every brand or business has been quick to jump on board.  

That’s because some barriers remain for some who even consider this approach a viable option. Fortunately, MODSTREET’s modular kiosks provide an elegant and affordable solution that enables the future of shopping. 

The Rise of Unmanned Retail 

In the United States, the rise of unmanned retail environments first began in the late 2010s, quickly accelerating after Amazon launched its first unmanned Amazon Go store in January of 2018. Like other unmanned retail stores, customers could enjoy a cashierless experience with no human interaction required. Upon walking in, shoppers simply scan a QR code from their Amazon mobile app, carry or add whatever they want to their baskets throughout the store, and walk out when they are finished.   

Thus began the growing trend of unmanned retail. Now, customers can see cashierless stations in airports, bus stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, and even stadiums. Through the power of contactless payment, sensors, and smart applications of AI technologies, customers can shop more quickly and efficiently. At the same time, businesses can maintain low overhead and save on labor costs. 

While larger stores like Amazon Go may still keep an employee or two on site to assist customers, many self-serve stations are now fully automated. Consumers come and go freely, using contactless payment systems. It’s easy to see how everyone from cities to municipalities is exploring new ways to serve the public. 

Property owners, quick-serve restaurants, and private brands are also joining in. All of them can leverage the convenience and cost savings of unmanned retail environments to improve service and accessibility. In this way, they can provide 24/7 access and lower prices while still saving time and money on their end. Within the world of cashierless stations, unmanned kiosks are efficient and cost-effective.

The only challenge remaining? The potential costs for setting one up.

The Challenge: Infrastructure Needs for Autonomous Retail Kiosks

While there’s no denying that cashierless kiosks lead to big savings over time. There remains a potentially high bar for entry due to the specific infrastructure needed to run, shelter, and protect them.

Apart from the software and cloud systems required to operate them, all autonomous kiosks, whether indoor or outdoor, also need physical infrastructure. These structures must be secure, flexible, weather-resistant, and tech-ready.

This issue alone can create significant barriers to entry for many businesses, especially those considering investing in permanent builds. Permanent structures for autonomous retail are often: 

• Expensive. Building a dedicated physical space for your automated outlet can be quite expensive. New-build kiosks can cost up to $30,000. That’s without even factoring in the cost of stocking your inventory.
• Slow to deploy. Building any physical structure, let alone a cashierless station, is a slow process. First, designers draw up and submit plans for approval. Then officials issue building permits, teams purchase materials, contractors handle construction, and inspectors schedule and complete final reviews. All this before the hardware is installed, the software implemented, and the kiosk stocked.
• Hard to relocate. While some permanent builds relocated, the process is challenging and expensive, making this pathway an even riskier venture.

Rather than seeking to invest in a permanent build for your unmanned retail, consider MODSTREET’s custom-built kiosk enclosures. If you’re looking for quick, efficient, and cost-effective solutions, look no further. MODSTREET has what you need.

MODSTREET’s Modular Kiosk Enclosures Are the Ideal Solution

MODSTREET’s custom-built, prefabricated kiosk enclosures are not only convenient and affordable, but they also come ready to host unmanned technology. They can accommodate a wide array of configurations and arrive ready to install. All MODSTREET includes:

• Tool-free setup. You won’t need to hire anyone or make secondary purchases to set up.
• Fast installation. Once your kiosk enclosure arrives, you can hit the ground running.
• Built-in lighting and power integration. No need to hire electricians. You’ll be able to set everything up and be ready to go on your own.
• Custom branding options. Ensure it catches the eye and draws ideal consumers like a moth to a flame.
• ADA compliance. Our digital booth meets all ADA standards for accessible design. 
• Adaptability for urban or remote locations. No matter where you plan to install them, these enclosures are built to withstand the demands of any environment.

MODSTREET’s kiosk enclosures reduce barriers to implementing cashierless and contactless checkout through autonomous retail. They do this by lowering costs and increasing accessibility for a wide range of businesses and budgets.

Real-World Use Cases for Autonomous Retail

Amazon Go attracted significant attention in the late 2010s and early 2020s for its high-profile autonomous retail experiences. Since then, real-world use cases have continued to emerge. Making it easier for businesses, brands, service industries, and even public works and municipalities to serve the public more efficiently.

Anyone who’s ever grabbed a bottle of water and a sandwich at a contactless kiosk while dashing through the airport because there were no lines and no waiting. It understands the value of autonomous retail and how real-world use cases can meet people exactly where they are.

Parks and Trails

Apart from commercial-based kiosks where visitors can buy water, snacks, sunscreen, insect repellent, umbrellas, or other outdoor necessities, parks and trails can also benefit from informational outlets. These self-service stations could dispense maps, event schedules, and other useful information.

This helps with wayfinding and encourages greater community engagement. This can be a win-win for federal, state, city, and local governments.

Downtown Vending Hubs

Nothing’s worse than being downtown, miles from home (and perhaps even from where you parked your car), and realizing you forgot a small but essential item. Downtown vending hubs are dispensing anything from snacks and drinks to hygiene or other personal care items.

It provides comfort, convenience, and affordable options to visitors, locals, and even members of the workforce in the immediate vicinity.

Transit-Connected Micro Markets

In metro areas, smart kiosks and micro markets are accessible at public transit hubs. Such as bus stations, train stations, and subway transfer stations, can provide commuters, travelers, and visitors with convenient access.

They have accessible food options as they travel to and from their final destinations, be it work or play. In this way, transit-connected micro markets can serve the public and boost the local economy.

College Campuses 

As busy students come and go, unmanned retail experiences are placed in select locations. It allows them to stay fed, hydrated, and fully supplied on essentials as they head to and from class, work, and campus housing, all without bringing more traffic or workers on campus. This is a smart and safe way to serve students, professors, and the entire campus body.

Business Parks

Unfortunately, in North America, many business parks are located far from stores and restaurants. Even those that aren’t are often highly unfriendly to pedestrians. Workers in these business parks who experience short breaks and abbreviated lunch hours could find it challenging to get what they need.

With automated kiosks placed in a central location, they can have easy access to food, beverages, essential supplies, or whatever would best meet their needs.

Tourism Destinations

No one wants to spend their vacation standing in long lines or paying excessively high prices for tickets, refreshments, or essentials. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what often happens when people travel.

Autonomous, cashierless systems tend to reduce wait times and lower overhead. As a result, automated stations at key tourism destinations can make the entire experience more seamless and less frustrating.

Future Outlook of Modern Retail Environments

What we may be able to predict by sheer observation, experts have confirmed in official reports. In the coming days, modern retailing environments will become increasingly digitized, data-driven, and personalized to the consumer. What better way to capitalize on all three of these trends than by installing cashierless kiosks to provide individual consumers exactly what they need, when they need it, and in the most convenient way possible?

Now is the time for cities, retail chains, and brands of all kinds to pilot new sales models. Thankfully, due to affordable and accessible options offered by companies like MODSTREET, they can get started by availing themselves of ready-to-go modular infrastructures without taking on the full financial risks of major capital projects.

MODSTREET Can Help

Are you ready to hear more about acquiring shells for your modular kiosk? Contact MODSTREET today to hear more and get the ball rolling. We can’t wait to hear what you have in mind, and we look forward to helping you find the exact option to help you get your kiosk set up and functional quickly.