Aldi Nord tests out Trigo powered autonomous store in Utrecht
Aldi Nord will this week open an Aldi Shop & Go store in the Dutch city of Utrecht.
This is a 370㎡ (3,982 square feet) AI powered location where shoppers can walk in, select their items, and walk out without having to queue at the checkout lane or scan any items.
In its largest store format to date, Trigo applies its algorithms to shelf sensors and ceiling mounted cameras which analyse anonymised shoppers' movements and product choices.
Payments and receipts are settled digitally.
Jan Oostvogels, CEO at Aldi Holding in the Netherlands, says: "We are very proud to be able to test this innovation project in Utrecht together with our customers.”
“It fits our strategy as a discounter to make shopping as easy as possible for our customers. After all, our experience shows that our customers appreciate quick and easy processes at the checkouts. Our test shop in Utrecht fits this perfectly."
Sinanudin Omerhodzic, Chief Technology Officer at Aldi Einkauf SE & Co. oHG, says: “The true magic of discount retailing is simplicity.”
“We therefore always use technology where it specifically makes us better and faster.”
“With Aldi Shop & Go, we have developed a concept that brings together the discount idea and computer vision technology - always with the aim of making shopping as easy as possible.”
Michael Gabay, Trigo's Co-founder and CEO, comments: “We work closely with top retailers to convert their existing stores while maintaining their unique character and layout, and leveraging their physical grocery scale to roll-out next-generation offerings securely.”
“We are particularly proud to work with Aldi Nord, who has been at the forefront of grocery retail innovation for nearly a century.”
London calling
Earlier this year, Aldi UK launched its first checkout-free store.
The Aldi Shop & Go concept store in Greenwich, London, opened in January to the public, having previously been tested by staff members.
Situated on Greenwich High Street, it enables customers to complete their shop without scanning a single product, or having to go through a checkout.
They can download the Aldi Shop&Go app, which will allow them to enter the store, pick up their items, and then walk out when they have completed their shop.
Once a customer leaves they will then be automatically charged via their selected payment method and a receipt will appear in the app.
The system, provided by AiFi, uses specially positioned cameras.
Those people wishing to buy alcohol, or other Challenge 25 products, are able to use facial age estimation technology, provided by Yoti, to authorise their purchase.
