Ahold Delhaize USA opens checkout-free store at Giant Company e-commerce hub

Retail Business Services, part of Ahold Delhaize USA, has announced a new location powered by its frictionless store technology.

The Giant Company has added the solution at its new e-commerce fulfilment centre in Philadelphia as an option for its more than 125 team members to shop food items.

“This innovative technology was created to meet the needs of connected customers – or busy associates – whose lives are in constant motion,” says Rom Kosla, EVP, IT and CIO at Retail Business Services.

“Once an individual downloads the app, they can simply scan in, shop and walk out. It’s that easy. Shoppers can grab a snack, a salad, fresh fruit or even a carton of milk as they head home. “

“It’s a particularly relevant capability for a location like this, where team members would otherwise need to travel off site to purchase food products.”

Retail Business Services partnered with UST to develop the technology in 2019.

The former led application development, technology connectivity and provided food retail operations expertise, and the latter and its partners provided the artificial intelligence technology solution and physical infrastructure for the store

“Following the successful implementation of this frictionless technology at our perishable distribution centre in Carlisle, Pa., we’re excited to offer it to our team members at our GIANT Direct e-commerce fulfilment centre in Philadelphia,” says Glennis Harris, Senior VP of Customer Experience, The Giant Company.

“We know our team members will appreciate the broad assortment of snacks, meals, beverages and more, conveniently available day or night, without ever having to leave the building.”

The Giant Company team members working in the facility have exclusive access to the store. It is not open to the public.

The application technology, created in Retail Business Services’ innovation lab and tech hub, is powered by the company’s proprietary app, which admits shoppers to the store and charges them for purchases through their digital wallet.

Inside the store, AI detects which products are being removed from shelves in the store and anonymous body skeletal tracking connects the right products to the right shopper.

“In the age of e-commerce, there are many opportunities for companies to evolve and better serve shoppers,” says Mahesh Athalye, Senior Director, Retail Platform & Solutions, UST.

“Combined with AI/ML technology and purpose built smartphone applications, solutions like this will help deliver frictionless experiences for shoppers seeking a quick, touchless experience.”

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