Industry Overview
Retail is among the most exposed industries to AI automation. Cashier positions, currently around 3.3 million in the U.S., are projected to decline by 10.6% by 2033. Between 2019 and 2023, general merchandise cashier employment dropped 23% while overall store employment grew 3%.
The transformation goes far beyond checkout. By 2025, an estimated 1.2 million self-checkout units are installed globally. Walmart plans 65% of stores serviced by automation by end of FY2026. AI-powered recommendations drive up to 35% of e-commerce revenue. Meanwhile, 98% of retail executives expect full AI deployment within three years. The workers hit hardest are disproportionately women, who hold 73% of cashier positions.
Key AI Tools Disrupting Retail & E-commerce
Roles at Highest Risk
Self-checkout and cashierless stores are rapidly replacing traditional checkout positions.
Automated inventory systems and robots handling shelf-stocking in large retailers.
AI chatbots handling product questions, returns, and order tracking.
AI processes invoices, inventory data, and product catalogs automatically.
Safer Roles in Retail & E-commerce
Staff leadership, customer escalations, and community relationships remain human.
Physical store design, brand storytelling, and sensory experiences require creativity.
High-touch personal service and relationship-based selling resist automation.
Emerging AI-Era Roles
Optimizes AI-driven personalization, recommendations, and dynamic pricing.
Oversees self-checkout deployment, inventory robots, and fulfillment automation.
Creates seamless omnichannel experiences blending AI and human touchpoints.
How to Future-Proof Your Career in Retail & E-commerce
Transition from transaction processing to customer experience and relationship building
Learn e-commerce platform management and digital marketing
Develop skills in inventory analytics and supply chain optimization
Move into store management or visual merchandising roles
Get certified in retail technology systems and omnichannel operations
Key Statistics
Recent Industry News
BLS projects loss of 350,000+ cashier positions over the decade.
2025-01-15Largest retailer accelerates self-checkout and fulfillment automation.
2025-03-2023% expect completion by end of 2025, another 58% by 2026.
2025-06-10Recent AI Layoffs
Sources & Methodology
Risk estimates are derived from multiple public data sources including government labor statistics, industry surveys, and research reports. Overall risk scores combine AI adoption rates, automation potential of common tasks, and labor market projections. Individual results may vary based on role, employer, and region.Layoff data last updated: January 18, 2026
- •Bureau of Labor Statistics - Cashiers Occupational Outlook & Projections, 2024-2033
- •RBR / Payments Dive - Self-Checkout Global Market Report, 2025
- •Walmart - Annual Shareholder Report: Store Automation Strategy, FY2026
- •National Retail Federation - State of Retail Technology Survey, 2025