You understand that if people accept this in concept stores now, this will be the new normal at some point in the future?
Discussion
So? They already do self checkout in many supermarkets across Europe. They already have the apps on their phones.
It's capitalism, supermarkets are getting into tech to attract young consumers base, cut spending and collect more shoppers data. Consumers can adopt it or not. Options are good for evolving.
Plus, this is not even a new model. Costco has blocked access to non members for decades now. No member card, no shopping at Costco. No big deal.
Many other retailers (most of them in fact) think that they'd rather keep access free to all, and don't implement a membership system. Free market.
And by the way, we log on to an app or website to buy stuff on Amazon all the time. No account, no shopping.
So I agree - when the digital prison system comes, it won't be because of this.
This very different for Aldi it's like that Amazon store that tracks you everywhere you go in the store, what items you are picking up and if it needs an app it won't be accepting cash.
Local supermarket near me doesn't do this and still has self check outs that accept cash