In-Store Robotics Services Market Size (2024 - 2030)

The Global In-Store Robotics Services Market reached a valuation of USD 5.83 Billion and is forecasted to attain a market size of USD 39.87 Billion by the culmination of 2030. Across the projected timeline spanning from 2024 to 2030, the market is anticipated to exhibit a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 31.61%.

In-Store Robotics Services Market Overview

Retail robots, driven by artificial intelligence (AI), are innovative solutions designed to meticulously gather data on customer behaviors and preferences. This data empowers retailers to optimize revenue and sales by offering tailored product recommendations. Among the various sectors benefiting significantly from the integration of AI and robotics, the retail industry stands out. The evolution of robotic services has ushered in substantial market advantages for technology users. Expectations include heightened manufacturing capacities, improved sales, streamlined inventory management, enhanced customer service, efficient goods transportation to warehouses, and other essential commercial operations through the adoption of robotics services and AI. The integration of robotics enables retail businesses to pivot towards a more customer-centric approach.

In-store robotics services refer to the application of robotics solutions within retail settings such as supermarkets, specialty stores, and convenience stores. This incorporation of automation streamlines a multitude of daily tasks, including stock management, shelf-scanning, product deliveries, sorting, product picking, product tracking, stock replenishment, customer service, and store maintenance. These automated tasks serve to mitigate manual errors, reduce delays, enhance operational efficiency, elevate customer experiences, cut down on labor costs, and ultimately boost sales. Consequently, the global in-store robotics services market is poised for rapid growth during the forecast period.

Global In-Store Robotics Services Market Drivers:

The surge in demand for automation and personalized services within the retail sector propels the expansion of the global in-store robotics services market.

In-store robotics services elevate customer experiences by providing tailored services, thereby enhancing engagement. Moreover, the integration of robotics services in brick-and-mortar establishments heightens operational efficiencies, resulting in increased revenue and sales. Retailers can leverage robotics services to undertake a myriad of functions such as shelf-scanning, stock replenishment, customer service, cleaning, maintenance, and more. Integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) systems, these robots efficiently process and analyze vast volumes of retail-related data. In-store robots aid in making precise operational decisions by collecting detailed product information directly from customers. Consequently, this factor fuels the demand for in-store robotics services.

The escalating labor costs in the retail sector serve as another catalyst for the global in-store robotics services market's growth.

Retail staff costs typically constitute approximately 65% of a retailer's total operational expenses. Operational tasks are divided among two types of staff: direct and indirect. While direct staff handle on-floor operations, indirect staff provide back-end support. Retailers are grappling with increased expenditure owing to the global inflation surge. Furthermore, concerns surrounding productivity, quality control, and safety have arisen due to the rising number of elderly staff in developing nations. As a solution, the adoption of automation presents itself as a viable avenue for addressing issues related to an aging workforce and escalating wages. Retailers increasingly rely on robotics services as an efficient means to reduce operational costs and manage crucial tasks within retail settings. Consequently, this factor further drives the demand for in-store robotics services.

Global In-Store Robotics Services Market Challenges:

The global in-store robotics services market encounters challenges, predominantly concerning the high costs associated with installation, maintenance, and data privacy. Retail establishments may face hurdles in installing and maintaining advanced robots capable of executing significant retail tasks, given their associated costs. Additionally, concerns regarding secure data storage and consent management have escalated due to the heightened threat of cyber-attacks and security breaches. These threats not only increase the risk of client information misuse but also amplify the costs of integrating sophisticated cybersecurity systems into robotics services. Thus, these challenges impede the market's growth.

Global In-Store Robotics Services Market Opportunities:

The global in-store robotics services market presents lucrative opportunities through market expansion strategies. Major providers of in-store robotics services stand to gain significantly from this opportunity, given the escalating demand for automation, personalization, and the rising labor costs within the retail sector. Companies can expand their robotics services into emerging markets to broaden their customer base and enhance overall revenue.

COVID-19 Impact on the Global In-Store Robotics Services Market:

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic exerted a substantial impact on the global in-store robotics services market. Stringent lockdowns, travel restrictions, and social distancing measures across numerous nations disrupted the manufacturing capacities of many companies and led to a scarcity of skilled labor. Supply chain disruptions and challenges in the distribution of goods and services significantly affected the production and deployment of robots in retail settings. Furthermore, offline retail establishments were compelled to either shut down or curtail operations due to lockdown restrictions. These factors posed challenges to the market's growth. However, the pandemic accelerated the adoption of robotics services in brick-and-mortar stores owing to the lockdowns and travel limitations. Additionally, the use of robots helped minimize the need for human staff, thereby mitigating the risk of COVID-19 exposure. These factors positively influenced the market's growth trajectory, presenting both challenges and opportunities during the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Global In-Store Robotics Services Market Recent Developments:

• In March 2023, BJ's Wholesale Club, a membership-only retail chain offering a vast array of consumer goods in warehouse-like spaces, announced its partnership with Simbe Robotics, Inc., an automation solutions and robotics company. The collaboration aims to deploy Simbe Robotics, Inc.'s business intelligence solution, Tally, across all BJ's Wholesale Club locations. This AI-powered solution is expected to enhance operational efficiencies and member experiences by providing comprehensive insights into club conditions and business operations.
• In November 2022, SoftBank Robotics America, Inc., a subsidiary of SoftBank Robotics Group Corp. specializing in practical robotics and automation solutions, partnered with Gausium, an autonomous cleaning robot manufacturer. The collaboration aims to introduce automated robotic solutions for indoor use to the United States Market, assisting businesses in effectively implementing, integrating, and scaling robotics services within their operations.

Global In-Store Robotics Services Market Segmentation:

Global In-Store Robotics Services Market Segmentation: By Type

• Mobile Robotics
• Stationary Robotics
• Semi-Autonomous Robotics

The global market for in-store robotics services is categorized into mobile robotics, stationary robotics, and semi-autonomous robotics. As of 2022, the segment with the highest market share was mobile robotics. This growth is attributed to the versatile capabilities of mobile robots within retail settings, including customer assistance, inventory management, and sales support. Mobile robots are equipped with computer vision, enabling them to accurately perceive their surroundings in real-time. This feature proves particularly advantageous in dynamic environments. Additionally, these robots utilize onboard intelligence systems and artificial intelligence (AI) to familiarize themselves with their surroundings, either by uploading blueprints or autonomously mapping the area. Such adaptability allows mobile robots to swiftly acclimate to new environments.

The demand for in-store robotics services that swiftly adjust to surroundings and mitigate human errors in repetitive tasks, thereby enhancing overall retail store safety, will propel the growth of the mobile robotics segment during the forecast period.

Global In-Store Robotics Services Market Segmentation: By Function

• Customer Service
• Cleaning and Maintenance
• Stock Management
• Others

The global in-store robotics services market is segmented by function into customer service, cleaning and maintenance, stock management, and other functions. In 2022, the stock management segment dominated the market share. This growth is attributed to the proficiency of in-store robots in tasks related to stock management, such as shelf scanning, product tracking, 3D item localization, and restocking. Robots contribute to error reduction, accelerate order fulfillment, reduce overhead costs, and improve stock management, thereby enhancing operational efficiency, customer loyalty, and store sales.

The anticipated expansion of the customer service segment during the forecast period is driven by the rising demand for robots that enhance customer experiences through personalized recommendations, product information, and sales assistance.

Global In-Store Robotics Services Market Segmentation: By Application

• Convenience Stores
• Hypermarkets or Supermarkets
• Specialty Stores
• Others

The global market for in-store robotics services is segmented by application into convenience stores, hypermarkets or supermarkets, specialty stores, and others. As of 2022, the hypermarkets or supermarkets segment held the largest market share. This growth is fueled by the increasing demand for robotics services in large retail establishments necessitating extensive inventory management, restocking, customer service, cleaning, maintenance, and security.

The anticipated fastest growth of the specialty stores segment during the forecast period is driven by the demand for robots that provide customers with personalized experiences and tailored promotions in retail environments offering unique products.

Global In-Store Robotics Services Market Segmentation: By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East and Africa

In 2022, North America led the global In-Store Robotics Services market in terms of market share. This growth is attributed to the well-established retail sector in countries such as the United States and Canada, the high adoption rate of in-store robotics services due to increased automation and personalization demands in major retail chains like Walmart, Dollar General, Target, and Amazon, and the growing need for enhanced customer experiences and operational efficiency. Additionally, the region boasts several prominent market players including Bossa Nova Robotics, Simbe Robotics, Inc., GreyOrange Pte. Ltd., Locus Robotics, and Brain Corporation.

The Asia-Pacific region is expected to experience the fastest growth in the in-store robotics services market during the forecast period due to the rising demand for robotics services in an increasing number of retail establishments in countries such as China, Japan, India, and South Korea.

Global In-Store Robotics Services Market Key Players:

1. Bossa Nova Robotics (United States)
2. SoftBank Robotics Group Corp. (Japan)
3. ABB Ltd. (Switzerland)
4. Simbe Robotics, Inc. (United States)
5. GreyOrange Pte. Ltd. (United States)
6. Aethon Inc. (United States)
7. Universal Robots (Denmark)
8. Balyo, Inc. (United States)
9. Locus Robotics (United States)
10. Brain Corporation (United States)