No queue! How does the autonomous supermarket work in São Paulo

Technology provides us with developments to make everyday life easier and make some aspects of routine even easier. This is the case of autonomous stores, which are already a reality in countries such as the United States and China and which have also arrived in Brazil. THE Zaitt, One startup designed for this purpose, has already inaugurated the first standalone supermarket in São Paulo after a very successful pilot experience in Espírito Santo.

Arrival in Brazil

The first such operation carried out by the Zaitt it was in 2016 in Vitória, Espírito Santo. This “pilot” was a space for events and sales and a delivery of drinks through apps. In 2017, it managed to develop to become the first 100% autonomous market in Brazil.

As the experience proved to be quite positive, the startup decided to open one more branch, but this time in the city of São Paulo, more precisely in the Itaim Bibi neighborhood. For this, it has a partnership with the Carrefour, which is responsible for replenishing the unit, as well as logistical support. Paula Cardoso, CEO of Carrefour eBusiness Brasil, stated that the network is able to strengthen partnerships with companies that bring new technologies to the sector.

“We are testing new concepts, innovations and technologies to improve the shopping experience and reach new customers. As we do globally, we will strengthen partnerships with companies and startups that bring us new technologies and skills to accelerate our digital transformation and generate scale for truly innovative services and solutions.”

Paula Cardoso, CEO of Carrefour eBusiness Brazil

The São Paulo unit is more robust and structured than the Vitória unit and will work 24h a day to keep up with the pace of the city. It offers a variety of products, from snacks to food services, drinks, personal hygiene products, cleaning in general, and even organic and fresh products for consumption on site. The store also has a microwave that is available for those who want to heat up a snack.

Ease of standalone supermarket

One of the great advantages of an autonomous supermarket is the possibility of avoid lines. In addition, the entire system is safe, thus avoiding the possibility of theft, both for the establishment and for the customer. This is because to enter you must have the application, a registration, and perform a facial recognition, which will also be requested when you leave.

Like him, the customer guides the entire purchase process, without the need for cashiers. The only employee who works on-site is the stock replenishment.

How does shopping at an autonomous supermarket work?

The first step to make purchases at the autonomous supermarket is to download the Zaitt, which is the center of the whole process. It can be found both in Play Store all with Android ou na App Store all with iOS. In the application it is possible to register a credit card that will be used to charge the products. On the first door, it will be necessary to do the QR code scanning which is glued to the glass.

In the second door, the facial recognition, where the customer looks at a camera positioned there and thus has his face recorded to be recognized at the exit. Free entry, just choose the products you want to buy or consume. The most interesting thing is that at the São Paulo unit the Zaitt use the system RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), which is a radio frequency identification, that is, radio signals.

Each product has a different label that can be read using this frequency. The advantage is that the customer can choose products more freely and more quickly, without having to register each product separately with a QR code.

On exit, you can choose between scanning another QR code or simply looking at the camera and letting it do the facial recognition. So the first door is opened. The client then stands between that port and the second port, and it is at this moment that the radio frequency identification system happens in the products in the bag.

They are identified and the amounts are charged directly to the card registered in the application. There is still a monitor which shows the products to be checked, as well as the amounts charged and in which card is being charged. The process is quite fast and safe, and after all the identification of the products, the second door is opened and the customer leaves the establishment.

Technology for the future

With the good response in Vitoria and the experience in São Paulo, it is possible that this style of commerce will soon become more and more common in the country. For now, the process is a learning process for both entrepreneurs and customers, who are slowly getting used to the new style.

A Carrefour is also thinking about implementing the autonomous system in some of its stores, and it started well with this the partnership. Rodrigo Miranda, co-founder of Zaitt says that the project is a milestone both in Brazil and in the world.

“We understand the São Paulo unit as a landmark not only nationally, but also globally. We are thrilled with the opportunity to bring an innovative and complete shopping experience to customers. And, of course, having a partner like Grupo Carrefour on this journey brings us even more energy to continue creating ways to revolutionize retail.”

Rodrigo Miranda, co-founder of Zaitt

Have you ever tried shopping at an autonomous supermarket? How was the experience? Leave it in the comments.