SAP and Aramark open 24/7 S.Mart store in Germany with tech partners including Diebold Nixdorf, VusionGroup

A new fully automated, 24/7 S.Mart store from SAP and Aramark opened yesterday, after four months in development, at the former’s campus in Walldorf, Germany.

Tech partners include Diebold Nixdorf, VusionGroup, C2RO, payfree, Lenovo, Intel Corporation, and Adyen. The store will offer convenience products and will initially be used by SAP employees.

It features:

• RFID for fast checkout and fast inventory

• Computer vision for a personalised customer experience, and also for theft prevention

• Digital temperature monitoring

• Cameras checking for stockouts

In a LinkedIn post, Michael Bosch, CEO at Checkout Peak, said: “Imagine walking in, grabbing a jar of Nutella, and heading out - all in under 50 seconds. Thanks to RFID technology and Payfree, every product is automatically detected. The receipt? Seamlessly generated in the background using SAP Customer Checkout.”

He added: “An exciting, forward thinking environment was created right at the SAP campus. We’re proud to have contributed to such a unique project. Stop by and experience the future of retail!”

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Autonomous stores will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which will open for entries in March, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.