**Lack of automation is a bigger problem than automation **

The retail sector is currently facing significant pressure, with companies like Amazon setting a disruptive precedent that emphasizes the need for increased efficiency and productivity improvements through automation. However, there remains skepticism about whether automation is fundamentally transforming the job landscape or merely modifying job descriptions without leading to a substantial reduction in roles, such as with the transition from secretaries to executive assistants. Historically, automation has been anticipated to accelerate productivity, yet the last 40 to 50 years suggest that the pace of change has been slow. The insights indicate that the potential for economic growth driven by runaway automation could address social issues, raising the concern that the real challenge may lie in the lack of automation rather than its introduction.