Billionaire retail magnate Gerry Harvey has made a bold declaration that robots will soon be greeting customers at the entrances of his Harvey Norman stores, predicting this technological shift will arrive "faster than anyone expects." In an interview with Business Weekend, he revealed that within the next one to two years, shoppers at the furniture and electronics retailer will be welcomed by robotic assistants, ushering in a new era of combined machine and human service on the shop floor.
A New Retail Experience
Mr Harvey guaranteed that "we will have a robot in the front door in the next year or two," offering customers the choice to interact with either the robot, a salesperson, or both. He envisions a dynamic shopping environment where multiple robots assist alongside human staff, creating an immersive experience. "It'll be an experience walking into our shops and people will say 'Wow, the robot welcomed me in and then I talked to another robot and then there was another robot over there and another salesperson helping there'," he elaborated.
Broader Automation Trends
This move aligns with growing global interest in retail automation. In Australia, excitement emerged late last year when Andrew Bell launched Bellbots, a company aiming to deploy robots in shopping centres to assist with tasks like carrying bags and providing product information. Meanwhile, Japan is exploring robots for shelf-stocking and floor-cleaning to address worker shortages. However, Mr Harvey's vision focuses more on customer interaction and service enhancement.
Consumer Reactions and Financial Context
Not all consumers are enthusiastic about the robotic future. Some Australians have expressed skepticism on social media, with comments like "No thanks. We will be shopping elsewhere when that happens" and "No more Harvey Norman for me." This revelation comes at a challenging time for Harvey Norman, as the company's share price fell nine percent recently, despite reporting a 6.9 percent increase in sales revenue and a 15.6 percent lift in profit after tax—figures that fell below market expectations.
Profitability and Motivation
When questioned about the profitability of introducing robot services, Mr Harvey admitted a keen interest in making money from the initiative but emphasized his willingness to see it succeed regardless. "I'm not doing it for the fun of it," he stated, adding, "But if it ends up that I don't make any money and it was just for the fun of it, it'll be worthwhile, won't it?" He expressed bewilderment over the stock decline, noting, "Some things are a mystery," and highlighted the company's strong real estate and sales performance both domestically and overseas.
Overall, Gerry Harvey's announcement signals a significant step toward integrating advanced robotics into everyday retail, aiming to attract customers with cutting-edge technology while navigating financial headwinds and mixed public reception.
