For two days, SPAR Hungary ran an AI-powered, cashierless store at the Sneakerness festival in Budapest, targeted at Generation Z. The trial, incorporating a tailored product range, used AI technology, cameras, and weight sensors to create a seamless shopping experience.
“SPAR Hungary constantly strives to be able to address all of its customer groups: in the case of Generation Z, digital technology, contactless payment, and the creation of easy and comfortable navigation in the virtual space make this possible. In order to develop the innovation required for the new product, and then to put it into practice and apply it, we created our own project team, the members of which were selected from the Generation Z colleagues of our store chain, from the purchasing, sales and marketing department. Their primary mission was to develop a strategy, thanks to which we address the members of the young age group, who are at home in the digital space and the world of artificial intelligence, and bring SPAR closer to them as a brand and as a shopping place,” said Márk Maczelka, SPAR Hungary’s communications manager.
The 12-square-meter automated retail unit housed nearly 160 items, several of which were limited-edition, special-edition products. Customers could generate a QR code at the entrance using an application to gain entry to the store.
The positive shopper response as evidenced by around 400 transactions, will see the retailer assess the potential future of the mobile ‘Satellite Store S’ concept at special events and festivals across the country.
Source: SPAR Hungary
