The renowned German retail corporation, REWE Group, has recently inaugurated a state-of-the-art 1,200 square-metre store in Hamburg, featuring its pioneering Pick&Go technology. This cutting-edge establishment, located on Hoheluftchaussee, is being hailed as the largest computer vision-supported retail outlet in Europe. Of particular significance is REWE Group’s provision of diverse cashless payment options for patrons.
When visiting the store, customers will have a range of payment methods at their disposal. They may choose to utilize the cashierless Pick&Go system via an app, conduct scanning and payment at the self-checkout terminal, avail of computer vision support without scanning at said terminal, or alternatively opt for traditional payment at the cash register.
In addition, REWE Group has announced the forthcoming inauguration of another store on Altonaerstraße in the summer, equipped with the innovative Pick&Go technology to facilitate the convenience of all shoppers. Expressing his keen anticipation for this development, store manager Joschua Zimmermann remarked, “By relieving customers in the checkout area, we as a store team also have new tasks and more freedom for advice, product range maintenance and service. We are using the time for what makes us strong – being there in person.” This technology evidently not only revolutionizes the shopping experience for customers but also empowers the store staff to concentrate on enhancing overall customer satisfaction.
Before rolling out the technology to all consumers, REWE Group tested it in its stores in Cologne, Berlin, Munich, and Düsseldorf. This pragmatic approach underscores the company’s dedication to ensuring a seamless and efficient shopping experience for its clientele.
The technology deployed in the store prioritizes privacy and data protection. REWE Group has taken rigorous measures to ensure the responsible handling of customer data. They have guaranteed that the images captured by customers are processed sparingly and utilized exclusively to facilitate checkout-free shopping in a hybrid store.
It is crucial to note that the system is designed to purely record data for the purpose of identifying products that are removed or returned, without employing facial recognition technology. Furthermore, the system does not have the capability to identify customers once they have exited the store, thus preserving their privacy and providing peace of mind to all shoppers.
To bring this groundbreaking concept to fruition, REWE has partnered with Trigo Vision Ltd, a leading provider of computer-vision technology solutions. The innovative solution offered by Trigo enables the creation of a 3D model of a supermarket to digitally map the environment and movements within it, granting customers the freedom to select items and exit with them, while safeguarding their privacy.
In conclusion, the introduction of this pioneering store concept by REWE in Hamburg represents a remarkable advancement in the realm of retail technology. It not only pledges to redefine the shopping experience for customers but also underscores the company’s steadfast dedication to upholding the highest standards of data protection and privacy. With technology paving the way for a more seamless and secure shopping experience, the future of retail appears brighter than ever.