Automated convenience store

Automated grocery store in Barcelona, Spain (2006)
Automated grocery store in Barcelona metro (2006)

An automated convenience store is a convenience store that operates without a cashier, and instead relies on computers and robotics.

Examples

Examples include Keedoozle, Amazon Go, Żabka Nano, Robomart, Shop24, and SmartMart.

Robomart

Robomart has created an autonomous grocery store on wheels that offers consumers the ability to pick their own groceries at home checkout-free.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]

Shop24

Shop24 operates 170 automated convenience stores in nine European countries and 7 in the United States. An average store costs $90,000.[12][13]

SmartMart

In 1986, after entrepreneur Mike Rivalto's wife came home irritated and frustrated due to the long checkout line in the convenience store, Rivalto conceived the SmartMart, an automated convenience store. After seven years of research and development, the concept was ready to become a reality when technology caught up to the idea in the mid-1990s. In 2003, the first proof of concept store was opened at a location in East Memphis.[14][15] In 2011, after the store did more than 1.4 million transactions in eight years, it was replaced by SmartMart's latest technology. At SmartMart, a consumer can drive in or walk up to a computer touch screen and select from up to 1,800 products available. The machine accepts payments by cash, credit or debit card and delivers purchased items through a drawer. Development of the SmartMart including gas pumps costs approximately $100,000 more than a 3,000 square foot convenience store, but the labor savings are substantial as a single control center worker can operate the entire business.[16] In 2009, deputies accused SmartMart of selling a 24-ounce can of beer to an underage buyer.[17]

See also

References

  1. ^ Kelly, Heather (January 11, 2018). "Do we really need a self-driving on-demand corner store?". CNNMoney.
  2. ^ "Robomart plans to pilot its driverless store on wheels this fall". June 25, 2018.
  3. ^ Lee, Timothy B. (June 27, 2018). "Forget deliveries—this firm wants to bring a grocery store to your driveway". Ars Technica.
  4. ^ Haddon, Heather. "Kroger Plans to Introduce Driverless Grocery Deliveries". WSJ.
  5. ^ Margolis, Jonathan (2018-01-17). "From self-driving store to smell sensor, start-ups are thriving". Financial Times. Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  6. ^ Keyes, Daniel. "This startup that offers a self-driving grocery store has solved the biggest problem with online grocery". Business Insider.
  7. ^ "Driverless grocery store ready to roll out pilot in two markets". Food Dive.
  8. ^ "Robomart is the latest startup to try and unseat the local convenience store".
  9. ^ "Will retailers go on the road with self-driving mobile stores? – RetailWire".
  10. ^ "Robomart autonomous bodegas will deliver produce to your door". Engadget.
  11. ^ "Forget Amazon Go, Robomart Will Bring Groceries to Your Front Door". Architectural Digest.
  12. ^ "Vending Machines Grow Up". July 27, 2003 – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  13. ^ "Shop24 Opens New Fully Automated Convenience Store At University Of Illinois - Springfield". VendingMarketWatch.com.
  14. ^ "Tidbits". www.bizjournals.com. January 20, 2003. Retrieved 2019-07-02.
  15. ^ Flyer Staff. "BLOWN AWAY BY 2003". Memphis Flyer.
  16. ^ "Convenience Store and Consumers on Automatic – RetailWire".
  17. ^ "The Investigators: Self-serve store sells beer to underage buyer". wmcactionnews5.com.