In times of high inflation, the stimuli to attract consumers into supermarkets are never too many.
For this reason, in keeping with the current times, Carrefour has just launched a new format
that tries to mix the face-to-face shopping experience with the speed of virtual payment.
This is Carrefour "Flash", which is part of a new generation of stores that
uses artificial intelligence.
The objective:
to avoid the long queues in front of the cash registers and speed up purchases.
In Argentina, the first store of this type
has 50 square meters
and is located in the town of
Pilar, in the province of Buenos Aires.
According to the new purchase method, the customer
must use an app,
and add the products they choose in the physical store to the little monkey.
These are loaded automatically in a virtual cart and when leaving the payment is made automatically
.
You can also use the application to buy online and pick up in store or order home delivery.
This first smart branch in the country, has an assortment of
500
basic products of an average daily purchase.
For the consumer it is not necessary to scan the codes of the products.
Because inside the premises, there are 20 HD cameras installed, approximately 200 sensors integrated into the shelves, an algorithm created to interpret all the data and its own payment system.
The store
does not need cashiers
or customer service within the branch, although it has physical or virtual assistance in case someone requires help.
Regarding the new shopping experience, Pablo Lorenzo, CEO of Carrefour Argentina points out that "
speed and simplicity" are the
essential characteristics that consumers ask for when they have to go to the stores.
"For this reason, we seek to be up to the task," he said.
To create this form of purchase, the chain established
a strategic alliance with the local technology company Go2Future,
an Argentine startup that works with immersive technologies to generate solutions.
The firm "offers solutions based on Artificial Intelligence to eliminate friction in modern retail," explained Eduardo Luis Koglot, CEO of Go2Future.
Regarding the experiences of this type of purchase
in other markets where Carrefour operates,
the chain reported that the first store of this model was inaugurated in Paris, France, and "had great acceptance."
And they added: "As a Group, the objective is
to lead the digital retail market both globally and locally,
which is why a transformation strategy focused on offering omnichannel solutions" was implemented that meets the needs of the people who choose the brand.
Until now, the formats developed by Carrefour are Express, Market, Maxi and Hiper, in addition to Ecommerce.
"The objective is to continue expanding the most valued formats, such as Maxi and Express and boost digital sales," they said in the chain.
How does the "smart" experience work?
To use Carrefour Flash, you must first download the "Mini Go" application, available for iOS and Android, create an account and upload a credit or debit card to use as a means of payment when making the purchase.
Upon entering the store, you must scan the QR code found on the access door.
Once inside, customers take the products they want, and these - automatically - by the sensors present in the gondolas and by visual recognition - are loaded into the virtual cart of the app.
Then, when approaching the exit door, the system automatically generates the payment method registered in the app.
The payment process works as an online payment and, as the chain clarified, "respects the standards and security conditions, as well as the personal data protection laws required by Carrefour for both its physical and online stores."
