‘Dig two holes with one shovel’: Ikea’s Cristina Rutgers-Astolfi praises new REWE Ready smart shop launch

Cristina Rutgers-Astolfi, Global Head of Analytics Ikea Customer Support, has taken to social media to praise REWE Group’s recently launched REWE Ready ‘smart shop’ at the EnBW Hypernetz EV Charging Hub in Lichtenau/Chemnitz, Germany.

Customers can buy Rewe and Go sandwiches, wraps, salads, get a beer, buy cigarettes, and enjoy a cappuccino while they are charging their cars.

Mehmet Tözge, Director Smart Store Development at Lekkerland SE, said: “Lekkerland SE customer preferences have changed. End consumers want to shop 24/7, fast and with as few contacts as possible.”

The store includes smart fridges from Reckon.ai.

Shoppers scan their card, open the door, take their products, close the door and leave within 30 seconds.

Tözge said: “The combination of computer vision cameras with sensor fusion enables us to offer end consumers a unique, reliable and seamless way of shopping. The time to market and the ease of implementation: smart fridges are plug and play devices. Going live is a matter of seconds.”

He added: “New products are added within a couple of minutes. All temperature zones are possible. Shopping by Tap&Go or by mobile Application and much more.”

Ana Pinto, CEO at Reckon.ai., commented: “This is our first shop at an EV charging station powered by our AI smart cabinets, creating a fully autonomous shopping experience. The future is now.”

In a LinkedIn post, meanwhile, Rutgers-Astolfi, said: “Dig two holes with one shovel! Not only do customers have access to EV charging, but they can simultaneously benefit from technology like smart fridges and AI smart cabinets powered by Reckon.ai in the smart shop,”

She added: “Due to computer vision technology and sensor fusion, shoppers simply scan their cards, open the door, take their products, and leave, all within 30 seconds.”

“A compelling example of how technology can enhance the shopping experience and drive operational efficiency.”