A million jobs could be lost over the next decade as supermarkets move to checkout-free shopping.
Tesco opened its first till-free store last week in High Holborn, Central London. Cameras track every item put in baskets at the GetGo store and payment is taken via a phone app as shoppers leave.
Aldi is trialling the same system, while Morrisons is testing its own model.
Amazon is opening five till-free shops in the capital this year. Clive Black, analyst at Shore Capital, says staff still need to stack shelves, help shoppers and stop shoplifters. He said: “We’re in the foothills of this digital transformation.
“The biggest vulnerability is head offices, where a lot of functions will be automated.
“By 2030 we’ll see a million fewer workers in retail.”
Shop workers union Usdaw said: “Disputes over errors and customer confusion can be flashpoints for abuse of staff.
“Retailers are chasing solutions to problems that don’t exist.”
Tesco said its London shop would still employ 22 staff, which it says is in line with other comparable stores.
