Key trends:

• Rising market for robotics in retail, enhancing retail excellence: The retail robotics market is expected to reach $76.0 billion by 2029, up from $10.6 billion in 2022, with a high 32.5% annual growth rate. The growth is fueled by the rising adoption of automation and personalized retail services to cut costs and improve customer satisfaction
• Utilizing autonomous mobile robots (AMR) for in-store automation: Approximately 150,000 mobile robots are expected to be put into use within physical retail stores by 2025, with 90% of retailers planning to boost their investments in automation in the near future
• Retail market expansion fueled by delivery robots: The market share of delivery robots in the retail sector is estimated to surpass $1 billion by 2032. Prominent companies like Serve Robotics and Nuro have formed strategic collaborations with major retail industry leaders like Kroger and 7-Eleven, aiming to transform and modernize their delivery services
• Transforming retail inventory management with AI robots: The utilization of AI-driven robots for inventory control is a significant development in the retail industry. Pioneering companies such as Brain Corp, Simbe Robotics, and Bossa Nova Robotics are taking the lead in this area
• Leading retailers embrace customer service robots: By the year 2025, 80 out of the world’s top 250 retailers will incorporate customer service robots in their physical stores or consider it as an option. Forward-thinking retailers are reimagining their physical store spaces in not only the display of products but also giving customers the chance to interact with new offerings.
• Revolutionizing retail shelf management through AI robots: Tailor-made robots, equipped with AI and computer vision technology, meticulously survey store shelves and price labels to detect product shortages and pricing inconsistencies. For instance, Carrefour’s recent integration of Rinf.tech’s specialized shelf-monitoring and price comparison robots in their supermarkets
• Combating organized retail theft with security robots: Retail stores employ both stationary and mobile robots for security functions, utilizing facial recognition, video recording, and programmed message delivery
• Ongoing M&A activity and persistent vibrancy in private placements: In the sector, we have observed a total of 20 M&A deals since 2020, indicating a gradual evolution. In contrast, the funding space has been vibrant and had 54 deals since Jan 2022

To provide a deeper understanding of the topic, the report includes key disruptors, industry landscape (segment-wise and geography-wise) and notable M&A transactions activity (including major deals within the last 36 months). The report also examines the emerging trends and future directions in robotics in the retail space.