Consumers may soon have to pay for shop services with the recent improvements in technology and increasing emphasis on experiences.

The “Future of Business” report released by business management solutions provider MYOB claims the emergence of space-age shops in the next 10 to 40 years are to be expected. The research and analysis focused on artificial intelligence.

MYOB chief technology officer Simon Raik-Allen, who authored the report, said that with the advancements in technology, it does not seem impossible to think of shops that will sell not just goods, but also experiences. “Bricks-and-mortar stores will become showrooms, which emphasise the unique attributes of the product, and allow you to select a product which will be delivered to your home within 24 hours, possibly by drone,” the long-time computer programmer said via The Australian.

In a tech-savvy shop, customers may not find any human assistance, but rather interact and talk with computer programs connected with their technical devices. Raik-Allen also stated that some jobs will be replaced by automation.

The prediction of space-driven shops depict the growing loss of jobs for telemarketers, travel agents, real estate agents, word processors, technical writers, auditors, retail salespersons and bank tellers. But at the same time, it will increase the demand for job profiles requiring judgement, creative thinking and human interaction.

“You may even pay to enter the store for this interaction, regardless of your purchase,” Allen said. The shop attendants will be full of the product knowledge they aim to sell. They will know their customers, their likes and will accordingly guide them in buying the products. They will, in short, be the product guide for the consumers.

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