Automated convenience store
{{Short description|Store that operates without staff}}
File:Barcelona Spain automated grocery store 2006.jpg
File:Automated grocery store Barcelona Spain 2006.jpg
An automated convenience store is a convenience store that operates without a cashier, and instead relies on computers and robotics.
Examples
Examples include Keedoozle, Amazon Go, Żabka Nano, Robomart, Shop24, and SmartMart.
=Robomart=
Robomart has created an autonomous grocery store on wheels that offers consumers the ability to pick their own groceries at home checkout-free.{{Cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2018/01/11/technology/self-driving-store-ces-2018/index.html|title=Do we really need a self-driving on-demand corner store?|first=Heather|last=Kelly|date=January 11, 2018|website=CNNMoney}}{{Cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/06/25/robomart-plans-to-pilot-its-driverless-store-on-wheels-this-fall/|title=Robomart plans to pilot its driverless store on wheels this fall|date=June 25, 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/cars/2018/06/forget-deliveries-this-firm-wants-to-bring-a-grocery-store-to-your-driveway/|title=Forget deliveries—this firm wants to bring a grocery store to your driveway|first=Timothy B.|last=Lee|date=June 27, 2018|website=Ars Technica}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/kroger-plans-to-introduce-driverless-grocery-deliveries-1530190801|title=Kroger Plans to Introduce Driverless Grocery Deliveries|first=Heather|last=Haddon|website=WSJ}}{{Cite web |last=Margolis |first=Jonathan |date=2018-01-17 |title=From self-driving store to smell sensor, start-ups are thriving |url=https://www.ft.com/content/6a36c110-f9e6-11e7-a492-2c9be7f3120a |url-access=subscription |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=Financial Times}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/robomart-self-driving-grocery-store-2018-1|title=This startup that offers a self-driving grocery store has solved the biggest problem with online grocery|first=Daniel|last=Keyes|website=Business Insider}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.fooddive.com/news/driverless-grocery-store-ready-to-roll-out-pilot-in-two-markets/526746/|title=Driverless grocery store ready to roll out pilot in two markets|website=Food Dive}}{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/01/05/robomart-is-the-latest-startup-to-try-and-unseat-the-local-convenience-store/|title=Robomart is the latest startup to try and unseat the local convenience store}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.retailwire.com/discussion/will-retailers-go-on-the-road-with-self-driving-mobile-stores/|title=Will retailers go on the road with self-driving mobile stores? – RetailWire}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2018/01/09/robomart-autonomous-bodega-deliver-produce/|title=Robomart autonomous bodegas will deliver produce to your door|website=Engadget}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/forget-amazon-go-robomart-will-bring-groceries-front-door|title=Forget Amazon Go, Robomart Will Bring Groceries to Your Front Door|website=Architectural Digest}}
=Shop24=
Shop24 operates 170 automated convenience stores in nine European countries and 7 in the United States. An average store costs $90,000.{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/2003/07/27/vending-machines-grow-up/ee5151f1-9366-4981-808c-06ac3f7c622a/|title=Vending Machines Grow Up|date=July 27, 2003|via=www.washingtonpost.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.vendingmarketwatch.com/management/news/12053111/shop24-opens-new-fully-automated-convenience-store-at-university-of-illinois-springfield|title=Shop24 Opens New Fully Automated Convenience Store At University Of Illinois - Springfield|website=VendingMarketWatch.com}}
=SmartMart=
In 1986, after entrepreneur Mike Rivalto's wife came home irritated and frustrated due to the long checkout line in the convenience store, Rivalto conceived the SmartMart, an automated convenience store. After seven years of research and development, the concept was ready to become a reality when technology caught up to the idea in the mid-1990s. In 2003, the first proof of concept store was opened at a location in East Memphis.{{cite web |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/2003/01/20/tidbits.html |title=Tidbits|date= January 20, 2003|website= www.bizjournals.com|access-date=2019-07-02}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/blown-away-by-2003/Content?oid=1113159|title=BLOWN AWAY BY 2003|author=Flyer Staff|website=Memphis Flyer}} In 2011, after the store did more than 1.4 million transactions in eight years, it was replaced by SmartMart's latest technology. At SmartMart, a consumer can drive in or walk up to a computer touch screen and select from up to 1,800 products available. The machine accepts payments by cash, credit or debit card and delivers purchased items through a drawer. Development of the SmartMart including gas pumps costs approximately $100,000 more than a 3,000 square foot convenience store, but the labor savings are substantial as a single control center worker can operate the entire business.{{Cite web|url=https://www.retailwire.com/discussion/convenience-store-and-consumers-on-automatic/|title=Convenience Store and Consumers on Automatic – RetailWire}} In 2009, deputies accused SmartMart of selling a 24-ounce can of beer to an underage buyer.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/10574560/the-investigators-self-serve-store-sells-beer-to-underage-buyer|title=The Investigators: Self-serve store sells beer to underage buyer|website=wmcactionnews5.com}}