South Africa, Jan. 8 -- And still, I walk into stores where the line at checkout makes me want to turn around and leave. It's not for lack of effort or intention - retailers are working hard. But somewhere between the vision and execution, checkout keeps getting left behind.

We've done some pretty cool things as an industry. Retailers are investing in AI inventory systems, rolling out omni-channel platforms, and rebuilding loyalty to compete in a digital-first world. But the minute a customer decides to walk into a store and physically buy something, everything slows down. All that innovation grinds to a halt at the checkout queue.

It's not just inconvenient - it's expensive

It's not just an inconvenience. It's a business issue. If som...