MC Sonae has opened a Continente Bom Dia store in the Portuguese city of Leiria where the goods do not need to be scanned for the checkout process. The technology for capturing purchases and for the cashier-free checkout comes from Lisbon-based technology vendor Sensei. Specialist supplier Jordao, also based in Portugal, supplies the refrigerators and freezers for the store.
The store offers more than 10,000 items across 1,200 square metres of floor space. The range also includes fruit and vegetables, baked goods and fresh fish, which is offered at a service counter. Customers enter the store like any other supermarket, without having to register at the entrance using a card or app. Sensei describes the store as the ‘world’s largest autonomous store’. However, last year the Rewe Group also opened a scanless store of this size in Hamburg, Germany, called Trigo.
Customers can pack the products in the store in Leiria directly into their bags. The software determines the shopping baskets in real time. At the checkout, the shopper simply has to confirm their purchases. MC Sonae had already opened its first scanless store with Sensei technology in May 2021.
Sesai claims a 99 per cent recognition rate
To identify products and evaluate shopping behaviour, Sensei uses AI-based software developed in-house that combines computer vision, machine learning and sensor technology. The provider claims that the software achieves 99 per cent accuracy in tracking consumer interaction with products. For this purpose, company has installed a total of 1,676 cameras, 2,000 scales and 21 servers in the store.
For products that need to be weighed, such as fruit and vegetables, the technology identifies any discrepancies between what the customer picked and what it weighed. It thus promises maximum accuracy and control. Precise tracking of stock levels in real time not only promises retailers greater efficiency but also provides valuable insights into customers’ shopping behaviour.
Refrigeration technology is energy efficient
The store offers customers chilled food and drinks, frozen food as well as chilled and hot dishes to take away. For these product groups, MC Sonae has opted for systems from Jordao. The manufacturer’s refrigeration technology promises particularly low energy consumption.
Customers can find dairy products, meat and fresh produce as well as wine and chilled drinks in Jordao’s refrigerators and shelves. The store offers frozen goods in semi-vertical self-service counters. The store also presents takeaway meals, both hot and cold, in the same way.
