2025-08-11

Pelaja Buitenhuis

Why 83% of warehouse employees see automation as salvation and not as a threat

The labor shortage in retail is often seen as an unsolvable problem. But what if the solution is closer to home than you think? Recent research from Zebra Technologies shows a surprisingly positive picture: no less than 83% of warehouse employees believe that automation helps attract and retain talent. And 80% would feel more valued through technological tools. Instead of taking away jobs, automation turns out to be an asset in the battle for qualified staff. While Dutch retailers struggle with unfilled vacancies and high turnover, smart automation offers a win-win: employees get more interesting tasks, employers get more loyal staff.

The staffing problem IT managers know well

As an IT manager in retail, you probably know the story: vacancies that remain open for months, employees leaving for better working conditions, and increasing pressure to keep processes running with fewer people. Traditionally, automation was seen as a threat to employment, but Zebra Technologies’ research shows the opposite.

75% of respondents in Europe see automation as the solution to staff shortages. For IT managers, this means a fundamental shift: technology is no longer just an operational necessity, but becomes a strategic weapon in the war for talent.

Why employees embrace automation

The numbers speak for themselves:

• 83% of European warehouse employees believe that technology helps attract and retain colleagues.
• 80% feel more valued when they have access to modern technological tools.
• 71% of European decision-makers say that automation is necessary to reduce errors.

This means that employees are not afraid of automation, but actually want better tools that make their work easier, more interesting, and less error-prone.

From repetitive tasks to strategic work

Automation in retail goes beyond warehouse processes alone. For IT managers, there are opportunities throughout the company:

• In-store: Automated inventory tracking, digital price tags, and checkout systems give employees more time for customer service.
• In the warehouse: Smart systems, automated inventory management, and real-time tracking reduce errors and increase efficiency.
• Online: Automated website management, cybersecurity monitoring, and DevOps processes ensure stable, secure online channels.
• Administration: Automatic reporting, data synchronization, and process optimization save hours of manual work.

This means that employees are not afraid of automation, but actually want better tools that make their work easier, more engaging, and less error-prone.

Cybersecurity: the invisible priority

While retailers focus on visible processes, an invisible risk is growing: many retail websites are not adequately secured, even though they contain thousands of customer records. For IT managers, this is a critical responsibility.

Automation of cybersecurity processes offers a solution:

• Continuous monitoring of threats without human intervention.
• Automated security updates that close vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
• Intelligent detection of unusual behavior and potential data breaches.
• Automatic compliance reporting for GDPR and other regulations.

The practical benefits for IT managers

Automation delivers tangible benefits for retail IT managers:

• Time savings: Processes that previously took hours now run automatically. This frees up time for strategic projects instead of operational firefighting.
• Error reduction: Automated processes eliminate human errors in repetitive tasks, resulting in more reliable systems.
• Scalability: Automation grows with the company without a proportional increase in IT staff.
• Employee satisfaction: Research shows that employees feel more valued with modern tools, leading to lower turnover and better performance.
• Compliance: Automated security and reporting processes ensure consistent regulatory compliance.

From challenge to opportunity

The labor shortage in retail does not have to be an unsolvable problem. Zebra Technologies’ research shows that automation is not the enemy of employment, but an ally in creating more attractive jobs. For IT managers in retail, this is a unique opportunity: by investing in smart automation—from cybersecurity to process optimization—they can not only solve operational challenges, but also contribute to a better workplace that attracts and retains talent.

The question is no longer whether you should automate, but how quickly you can start creating that win-win situation that benefits both employees and employers.

Want to know how Tible helps with implementing smart automation and cybersecurity? We are happy to think along with you about processes that save time and improve results.