SmartNovo takes the wraps off autonomous store as company eyes expansion across Poland and CEE
SmartNovo has announced the launch of its first AI powered autonomous store. This will go live in Poland under the Lewiatan brand, with technology partners including NVIDIA, Starlink, and Nobisoft.
In a LinkedIn post, founder Phi Long Bui said: "Proud to finally share what we've been quietly working on: SmartNova - the store that is controlled by AI. It's an autonomous 24/7 store. 21 square metres. No staff, no queues. You scan, you shop, you walk out. AI is the store manager, the cashier, the security guard, and the marketing team, all in one system.”
Said platform controls door access, tracks every product in real-time, detects theft, responds to falls, changes prices of products using smart tags, and also decides which promotions to run and when. When stock runs low, the AI dispatches a human assistant to replenish exactly what it asks for.
Bui added: "Humans don't run this store, they work for it. The whole container, fully stocked, loads straight onto a truck and relocates anywhere in under an hour. Move it to a busier corner, a new city, a new region, you never lose the store. It just reopens somewhere better."
"The design is EU registered, and the system is built to be GDPR compliant from the ground up, no identities stored. It's legally classified as a vending machine. No lengthy permits, no construction. All you need is a plot the size of two parking spaces, and a brand can have a fully stocked, staffless store running in days. This isn't just for supermarkets either. Any brand can run one."
After SmartNovo opens it first unit under the Lewiatan brand, the plan is to expand steadily across Poland and CEE. “Soon you'll see these container stores everywhere, with a growing line of brands currently on the waitlist,” Bui concluded.
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards
Smart stores will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.
The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.
Check out our 2025 winners here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.
