It’s Not About Labor Shortage,
It’s About Repetitive Work No One Wants Anymore

Automation isn’t the future. It’s the solution now.
June 13, 2025

A Widespread Challenge

In recent years, many bakeries have struggled to recruit and retain front-line staff. Job listings stay up for weeks with no response, or candidates decline immediately after interviews. This pattern isn’t limited to major cities—it’s happening in small-town bakeries, too.

At first glance, it seems like a labor shortage. But beneath the surface, there’s a deeper issue: monotonous, repetitive tasks that offer little sense of progress or fulfillment. This type of work is increasingly unattractive to today’s workforce.

The Hidden Cost of Repetition

Take the checkout process as an example. Store staff often follow a repetitive routine:

  • Input product names and prices
  • Apply discounts or bundle promotions
  • Print receipts and give change
  • Answer customer questions while handling line pressure

Though each task appears simple, the job demands memory, speed, and accuracy—especially during peak hours. The emotional toll adds up quickly, leading to high turnover. And for job seekers, these roles offer limited career value or personal growth.

Work Values Are Evolving

Some business owners describe younger generations as unwilling to work. But what’s really shifting is what people expect from their jobs:

  • Opportunities to learn and grow
  • A sense of purpose and autonomy
  • Less time spent on high-stress, repetitive tasks

These preferences are not unreasonable—they reflect a broader shift in the labor market. Stores that don’t evolve with these expectations risk falling behind in the competition for talent.

Automation Empowers, Not Replaces

Instead of continually recruiting and retraining, more bakery owners are rethinking the nature of front-line work. Are there tasks that no longer need to be done by hand? Take checkout operations. With an AI-powered checkout system, product recognition, price calculation, and receipt printing can be automated. For example:

  • No need to manually enter product names or prices—AI recognizes bread or pastries instantly
  • POS and receipt printers are seamlessly integrated, reducing errors and saving time
  • A centralized product database simplifies data syncing, sales reporting, and trend analysis across multiple branches

With these tasks handled by the system, staff can focus on higher-value activities—providing customer service, recommending products, or improving store layout. This not only improves efficiency but also boosts job satisfaction.

Can Warmth and Efficiency Coexist?

A common concern is whether automation will make the in-store experience feel cold and impersonal. But in reality, it’s the opposite.

When staff are no longer tied up with mechanical tasks, there’s more room for genuine human interaction—eye contact, product stories, thoughtful service.

Technology frees people to bring warmth back into customer experience, not take it away.

Start Small, Scale Smart

Introducing new tech might feel overwhelming. But many bakery chains have taken a low-risk approach: starting with a single store and a single process.

  • Pilot the system in one location
  • Build a product recognition database
  • Train staff with a simple onboarding process

This approach allows for easy testing, controlled costs, and fast validation. Once the value is clear, it’s easier to expand to other stores or apply automation to other areas, like inventory or stock analysis.

A Long-Term Strategy

As labor costs rise and work expectations evolve, roles that rely heavily on repetitive tasks are becoming harder to sustain. Fortunately, automation is no longer just a buzzword—it’s an accessible and practical solution.

It’s not about replacing people with machines. It’s about making sure human talent is used where it counts most—creating a work environment that’s productive, sustainable, and appealing to today’s workforce.

【More Information】

👉 How Viscovery’s AI Checkout System Works

👉 Case Study: I JY SHENG Bakery (Taiwan) (Self-Serve Bread Selection)

👉 Case Study: NEIGHBORS BREAD (Japan) (Staff-Assisted Bread Selection)

👉 Interview with DOASIS, Korea: What It’s Like Using AI Checkout in a Bakery