Casino Launches First Autonomous Store

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Casino has formally launched its first autonomous store, with the unveiling of the Monoprix ‘BlackBox’ format.

The 18 sq. m. outlet, located at the Monoprix head office in Clichy, stocks around 300 SKUs, mostly snacks, personal care items, and household goods. Interestingly, the store does not require an app to avail entry, with a credit card being enough to gain access. It also does not utilise tracking cameras such as those used by formats such as Amazon Go, but instead employs hypersensitive shelf scales to register items being picked up.

blackbox

According to LSA, which first reported the news, the store has been extensively tested by employees of Monoprix. The report cited Lorraine Gentin, deputy director of innovation and digital transformation at Groupe Casino, who said the launch is part of the group’s goal to “make the shopping experience more fluid”.

However, the report also noted that there are some limitations to the system, as it cannot distinguish between items that very similar in nature (such as items of equal weight but different variants), which requires careful product placement across the store. Additionally, only a limited number of customers can be allowed in together, to avoid confusing the virtual shopping basket system – shoppers required to validate their purchases on a touch screen, with contactless payment methods used.

The report added that Monoprix plans to install 10 BlackBoxes within the next two years.  Each such outlet will be linked to a physical store that will manage it, for maintenance and replenishment. The existing outlet will be shifted from its current location in about 8 weeks and undergo live testing with the general public.

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