Supermarket giant Morrisons has become the first UK retailer to trial “Tally” — an autonomous inventory robot that quietly roams the aisles, scanning up to 30,000 products per hour to ensure shelf displays are correct and legally compliant. It sounds efficient. But what does it mean for the people whose jobs it might replace?
The robot, built by US tech company Simbe, is already in use across major global chains like Kroger and Carrefour. Now being tested in Wetherby, Redcar, and Stockton, it’s designed to take over the “crucial but time-consuming” task of stock-checking — a responsibility traditionally handled by retail staff.
Morrisons says the goal is to “free up” workers for better customer service. But many retail workers have heard that promise before.
“They said self-checkouts would help too,” said one warehouse operative in a private group discussion. “Now we’re expected to do more, faster, with fewer staff.”
Public reactions to Tally have been mixed. Some find the tech “cool.” Others say it gets in the way of shoppers, slows things down, and doesn’t always perform well. In US trials, customers complained that shelf-checking and price-tag accuracy still needed human oversight.
So, are we looking at innovation or just another wave of job erosion?
Why This Matters
With the cost of living rising and supermarket profits soaring, the quiet rollout of automation must be met with worker protections, not redundancies. Tally’s arrival isn’t just about robots — it’s about restructuring the shop floor without restructuring the support for those affected.
We’ve seen this before: tech hailed as “supportive,” then used to justify slashing hours and roles.
UWA Stands With Retail Workers
At the United Workers Alliance, we believe change in the workplace shouldn’t come at the cost of dignity, security, or a living wage. If you’re a retail worker wondering what this means for your future — or already feeling pressure from automation — we’re here for you.
Join the discussion.
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Join UWA today. Your voice matters. http://unitedworkersalliance.co.uk/join-us/