Checkout-free store startups crush stadiums and micro markets, struggle with convenience and groceries
At RTIH, we’re keen followers of the many startups operating in the autonomous checkout space (Zippin, AiFi, Trigo, Grabango etc).
And so is Frank Beard, Head of Marketing at Rovertown, who in a recent post on X (formerly known as Twitter) gave the thumbs up to those companies betting on stadiums and micro markets.
Although he added: “Convenience? Not buying the tech. Grocery? Small pilots, no scale, challenging format.”
Beard commented: “The use case is obvious for stadiums. Needs no explanation. Vendors like Zippin and AiFi are crushing it in that space, with Allegiant Stadium alone having 10 Zippin powered stores. Amazon is getting traction there too, but nothing like Zippin.”
Micro markets, meanwhile, are interesting. AiFi has dozens of stores with Zabka in Poland. JUXTA is making interesting moves. And universities represent a solid use case, with Amazon and AiFi worth watching.
Regarding JUXTA, Urban Value Corner Store is, in Beard’s view, perhaps the best example of a new, non-fuel convenience format in the United States. “That's why this partnership is worth watching. Can UVCS create the US version of Zabka Nano?”
As for the typical US convenience format, “we piloted with Circle K (Beard was previously at Standard AI) when I was in the autonomous checkout space, but the reality is a register plus two to three self-checkouts is good enough.”
If an autonomous checkout vendor bets on convenience and grocery, they're facing a difficult path. “Only small pilots and no scale so far,” Beard commented. “Grabango is a good example. Bit off several very impressive pilots, but none appear to have gone anywhere.”
Grocery has a need for this tech, Beard reckons. But with issues like HITL and cost, scale seems far off. Pilots have focused on small format stores, with AiFi, Trigo, and Grabango venturing in to these choppy waters.
Of those companies Trigo is interesting, having raised $200 million+, and featuring ex-Talpiot talent, with pilots with several major grocers, doing real-time receipts, etc. “If any current players crack grocery, it could be this company,” said Beard.
Beard concluded: “Not much being said about autonomous checkout companies who've already dropped off. Remember Accel Robotics? Raised $30 million Series A led by Softbank. Silence for the past few years. Not sure why the website's even still active.”
“Anyway, fascinating space in retail tech. Very curious to see what happens over the next few years.”
Amazon Just Walk Out tech
Last week, the SSE Arena, Belfast announced a collaboration with Amazon to implement the US online giant’s Just Walk Out technology at the venue, making it the first indoor arena in Europe to offer checkout-free shopping.
This will be located on the first floor and named PAY & AWAY.
Guests will enter by using their chosen contactless payment method at the entry gate, with the technology then detecting what customers take from or return to the shelves and creating a virtual shopping session.
When they complete their shopping experience, they can leave without waiting in line, and their chosen payment method will be charged for the items taken.
Dermot McGinn, Group Head of Food and Beverage at The Odyssey Trust, said: “Providing the best experience every time sits at the core of everything we do at The SSE Arena, Belfast and we’re continually looking at ways to enhance our offering.”
“We’re incredibly proud to be working alongside Amazon to bring Just Walk Out technology to our venue, and becoming the first arena in Europe to introduce this checkout-free concept is a radical next step in optimising the customer journey.”
“Through a blend of convenience and speed, the introduction of this innovative new technology will ensure that our visitors can get back to the heart of the action as soon as possible, both during events and at Belfast Giants home games.”
The introduction of PAY & AWAY will mark the first Just Walk Out technology deployment on the island of Ireland.
In addition to this, The Stena Line Belfast Giants – who play all home games at The SSE Arena, Belfast – are set to become the only professional ice hockey team outside of North America to offer the tech, following in the footsteps of several National Hockey League (NHL) sides, including the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Los Angeles Kings.
Just Walk Out has also been rolled out across such venues as TD Garden in Boston, Lumen Field in Seattle, and Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
It is made possible by artificial intelligence like computer vision and deep learning techniques, including generative AI, to help accurately determine who took what in any retail environment.
Amazon built synthetic datasets to mimic millions of realistic shopping scenarios – including variations in store format, lighting conditions, and even crowds of customers – to ensure accuracy in any environment.
Jon Jenkins, Vice President at Just Walk Out technology, Amazon, said: “We’re thrilled to bring Just Walk Out technology to the island of Ireland and to be working with the team at The SSE Arena, Belfast.”
“We’re seeing tremendous interest in Just Walk Out technology from sports facilities across the globe for its ability to increase sales and throughput and delight customers. We look forward to hearing how concertgoers and sports fans alike enjoy the convenience of the new store.”
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