I don't fully agree with it, but the argument is that automation increases productivity and creates new higher paid jobs allowing human labour to be used for more useful things than just moving boxes around warehouses.

Agreed. And it would help if that automation/designed was made in the UK.

But they have cannibalized local businesses on the high street.

Honestly it's a little...complicated

On one end more employees are good for the economy because people have to work and have jobs.

On the other end having less people is good because it means the productivity rised, that's out objective.

The future scares me