Lekkerland hits smart store development milestone as REWE To Go location opens in Mönchengladbach
Convenience specialist, Lekkerland, part of REWE Group, has opened its first ‘smart lounge’ in Mönchengladbach, Germany.
The unmanned, self-checkout REWE To Go location is situated in an Aral Pulse electric vehicle charging park.
Those charging their e-vehicles will be able to grab a coffee, snack or drink with workstations and seating available.
Launched in 2011, the REWE To Go format can be found at a number of Aral petrol stations, as well as train stations, airports, city centres, hospitals and REWE Group locations. The range on offer includes coffee and other hot and cold drinks as well as fresh snacks and meals that use natural ingredients and sustainable resources wherever possible.
In a LinkedIn post, Christian Schulz, Senior Manager Smart Stores at Lekkerland, said: “After a good year of planning, we have today reached another milestone in smart store development;”
“Today our first smart lounge was opened in Mönchengladbach. We realised the Rewe To Go Lounge together with Aral Pulse’s first pure charging park. So today we have two premieres to celebrate with the charging park and the lounge. Thanks to all project participants for the support, the result is impressive!”
Smart BOX
Last week, Lekkerland opened its first Smart BOX, an unmanned REWE ready convenience store at an EnBW fast charging park in Kamen, Germany.
In a LinkedIn post, Lekkerland said: “Go in, take items, go out - that's how convenient shopping in the shop is. Artificial intelligence (AI) makes it possible: cameras record which items customers take out. After completing the purchase, the invoice amount is automatically debited from a cashless means of payment that was recorded upon entry.”
It added: “The store that has now opened is the first of its kind in Lekkerland. So far, we operate unmanned shops at more than 20 locations that use different technologies.”
The fast charging park near the Kamener Kreuz, which opened in 2021, is the largest in the EnBW HyperNetz.
2024 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS
Smart stores are a key focus area for the sixth edition of the RTIH Innovation Awards, which are now closed for entries.
The awards, sponsored by Vista Technology Support, Scala, CADS, 3D Cloud, Brightpearl by Sage’s Lightning 50, Business France, and Retail Technology Show 2025, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
Key 2024 dates
Friday, 25th October: Award entry deadline
Tuesday, 29th October: 2024 shortlist revealed
30th October-6th November: Judging days
Thursday, 21st November: Winners announced at the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards ceremony, to be held at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London.
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