Albert Heijn opened a concept store without a cashier

Grocery chain Albert Heijn has launched a new cashierless concept, allowing customers to enter and pay for items with a contactless credit card.

The concept store, located opposite the Albert Heijn headquarters in Zaandam, uses computer vision and weight sensor technologies to allow customers to enter the 14-square-meter store with a debit or credit card and walk out with their purchases. , which are automatically scanned without the need to use a POS point of sale.

The concept store will be tested until November 2019 with Albert Heijn employees and will then move to another location in the Netherlands later this year. Marit van Egmond, CEO of Albert Hein, said the chain can function as a plug-and-play pop-up store in a location where there is a temporary need, such as an office, university or residential construction site that is down. .

«Technological innovations are happening at breakneck speed and offer endless opportunities,  » van Egmond said in a company statement. «Comfort for our customers comes first.»

The customer’s payment method is recorded on a kiosk-like device when the customer enters the store; once the customer selects the ready-to-buy items and stands in front of the exit, purchases are automatically recorded up to approximately 25 euros; and the customer receives a notification of the purchase and can then exit the store.

No advanced registration or mobile app download is required to use the store.