7-Eleven is trialling a cashier-less store concept at its corporate headquarters in Irving, Texas, to test the future viability of unattended retail locations compared to traditional brick-and-mortar retail.
The 700 square-foot store is similar to the Amazon Go unattended retail concept, as employees can pay for products without using a checkout.
To shop at the store, employees need to download an app, sign up, check-in at the store, enter the store, shop and exit. A detailed receipt will then appear automatically in the app after the customer exits.
According to 7-Eleven, a proprietary mixture of algorithms and predictive technology enables the store to separate individual customers and their purchases from others in the store. The concept store offers an assortment of products traditionally sold in 7-Eleven stores, including beverages, snacks, food, groceries, over-the-counter drugs and non-food items.
7-Eleven has made a number of moves to keep up with evolving consumer demands, and the launch of the trial follows the recent introduction of 7-Eleven’s Mobile Checkout feature in pilot locations, which allows customers to pay for products using their smartphone without waiting in line.
7-Eleven president and CEO Joe DePinto said: “Retail technology is evolving at a rapid pace and customer expectations are driving the evolution.
“Our team is dedicated to continuing 7-Eleven’s legacy of innovation with industry-leading digital solutions. Most recently that has included our award-winning 7Rewards loyalty platform, 7NOW on-demand delivery, mobile checkout, and now our new cashier-less store.”
Mani Suri, 7-Eleven senior vice-president and chief information officer, added: “Ultimately, our goal is to exceed consumers’ expectations for faster, easier transactions and a seamless shopping experience.
“Introducing new store technology to 7-Eleven employees first has proven to be a very productive way to test and learn before launching to a wider audience.
“They are honest and candid with their feedback, which enables us to learn and quickly make adjustments to improve the experience. This in-house, custom-built technology by 7-Eleven engineers is designed for our current and future customers. We continue to innovate, and coupling fresh, innovative, healthy food options with a frictionless shopping experience could be a game-changer.”
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