AiFi predicts explosive growth in autonomous stores

US startup AiFi says that it is on track to deploy 330 new and retrofitted autonomous stores by the end of 2021. 

The venture’s OASIS platform is currently powering 10 stores in a variety of sizes in Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, and San Antonio in the US, in Amsterdam, Dusseldorf, Paris, and Poznan in Europe and Shanghai in China

In addition to partnerships with Albert Heijn, Carrefour, Żabka, and Loop Neighborhood, AiFi is also deploying autonomous stores with “several prominent companies listed among the top 10 grocery retailers, both nationally and internationally”. 

The 330 aforementioned deployments range from 800-square-foot convenience stores and travel shops to 10,000-square-foot grocery stores. Although they are situated primarily in the US and Europe, additional locations are coming to Australia, Asia, and South America.

“We are going to see explosive growth in autonomous stores. With the onset of Covid-19, the need is even more urgent for a contactless and autonomous retail store where you can shop and feel safe in a physical environment,” says Steve Gu, CEO and Co-founder, AiFi.

“The 10 deployed stores are operational or in advanced stages of testing. These stores have proven to be stable, accurate, and popular among shoppers who love the lightning speed and fluid retail experience.”

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