The concept is being tested at their branch in Brackenfell, Cape Town.
Shoprite has created a new business unit called Shopritex. In essence, it is a data science division that the retail giant has started to investigate new ways of using technology to revolutionize the way in which South Africans buy their groceries.
One of their most ambitious projects is that they are trying to build AI-powered stores. The idea is that you won’t find any humans in these stores and that shopping can be done much quicker, seeing as customers are able to checkout and pay for their goods by themselves.
“Incubated over the past year, Shopritex is combining data science and technology to create more personalised shopping experiences for customers,” the JSE-listed retail giant said on Wednesday.
The team has set up a pilot store to test its technology. It’s called “Checkers Rush” and is located at the group’s flagship store in Brackenfell in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town. Shoprite has described the store as a “no queues, no checkout, no waiting” shopping experience.
For now, the store is only accessible to Shoprite employees. It allows for customers to “grab products and walk out”. The store is fitted with powerful cameras that are able to detect which products are taken off shelves by which employees. Upon exiting the store, the smart shop automatically bills the goods to a customer’s bank account. The concept is a lot like Amazon Go stores that have been set up in the USA and certain parts of Europe.
“We are serious about being Africa’s most customer-centric retailer, and the launch of Shopritex represents our investment in fit-for-the-future precision retail, which is increasingly digital and data-led,” said CEO Pieter Engelbrecht in a statement.
Shoprite is serious about being a tech leader in Africa. It wants to ensure that shoppers are able to experience new ways of shopping, made better with the help of technology. They also want to ensure that the local retail space keeps up with international advancements.