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Candy-Sharing Retail Robots

Smiley the Robot Brings Customers Candy as They Shop

— February 22, 2021 — Business
Smiley the robot is a new member of the Mars Wrigley staff and it was created to bring consumers candy as they shop in stores. The bot was created to bring the items normally found at the checkout to customers throughout the store, and like an ice cream truck, it makes its presence known in the aisles with a catchy tune.

With self-driving technology, the robot helps to enhance in-store shopping experiences and response to the changing ways people are shopping. As more people rely on self-checkout solutions, Smiley the robot has the potential to shift when people choose to make impulse purchases. Mars Wrigley is working with the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States and Smiley can be found at ShopRite store in Monroe, NY.
Trend Themes
1. Retail Robotics - Mars Wrigley's candy-sharing retail robot presents opportunities for other retailers to develop automated solutions for in-store customer engagement.
2. Self-driving Technology - Self-driving technology presents an opportunity for retail businesses to enhance in-store shopping experiences and capitalize on new sales channels.
3. Impulse Shopping - Smiley the robot underscores the importance of impulse shopping and offers opportunities to leverage automation technology to stimulate spontaneous purchases.
Industry Implications
1. Retail - Retail companies can explore the development and incorporation of retail robots such as Smiley the robot to enhance their customer's shopping experience and increase sales.
2. Snack Food - Snack food companies can look into developing similar systems to bring their products closer to their customers in-store and stimulate impulse sales.
3. Technology - Automation and self-driving technology opens new markets for tech companies to develop innovative solutions for retailers looking for ways to enhance their customer's experience and increase sales.
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