News • 17.02.2021

Checkout-free hotel convenience store in Yokohama, Japan

Using biometric authentication technology

Entry to a small convenience store without staff; copyright: Zippin...
Source: Zippin

Zippin announced the launch of its latest retail format: a hotel convenience store. Zippin's partner, Fujitsu, the leading systems integrator in Japan, has worked with Koyo Group to implement the world's first checkout-free store within a hotel at the Yokohama Techno Tower Hotel. It is also the first store in Japan open to the general public to use biometric authentication technology to verify customers' identities.

WIth this partnership, the store operator is keeping shoppers and workers safe during the pandemic with a cashierless checkout, eliminates stress of lines and wait times, and raises customer satisfaction by optimizing the product lineup.

The grab-and-go Green Leaves + store which sells pre-packaged food and beverages as well as fresh bento box meals, opened early this year as a pilot and customers are able to enter the store via smartphone app. Customers must register their credit card information, and then enter the store with the QR code displayed on the Green Leaves + app. Customers can also use the multi-biometric authentication technology that links their palm vein and facial recognition information with the smartphone application. After registering this in advance, a smart phone is no longer required for entry, just a simple swipe of the palm.

Koyo will start full-scale operation at the store in April 2021. Early analytics suggest Koyo has relatively high traffic during the 9 hours it's open every day. Shoppers are spending an average of 113 seconds in the store which is considerably fast considering the size of the store and variety of items furthering Zippin's "zip in and out" approach.

"We believe that there is big growth potential for checkout-free retail in Japan. The Green Leaves + store at Yokohama Techno Tower Hotel is helping to lead the way to a better retail experience at hotels, hospitals, and other places where people need convenient access to food and drinks," said Zippin Co-Founder and CEO Krishna Motukuri.

In addition to hotels, Koyo also operates convenience stores and restaurants in more than 500 hospitals. This first hotel convenience store will also be a model for how checkout-free technology could work in a hospital setting – where people need 24 hour access to food and drink – without having to require a constant staffing presence. The new store is part of a multi-phase expansion plan by Koyo to ultimately create new convenient foodservice concepts for hospitals.

"Any store that provides all-hours access is an ideal location for checkout-free technology, because the stores can be kept open without having to maintain staffing levels, especially in off-peak periods," added Motukuri.

Source: Zippin

related articles:

popular articles:

Thumbnail-Photo: Zebra: Using transparency to combat losses and shrinkage...
24.05.2024   #Tech in Retail #personnel management

Zebra: Using transparency to combat losses and shrinkage

Companies in the retail sector like Lowes Food, Belk’s and Vera Bradley are gearing themselves up for the future with cost optimisation strategies.

Loss prevention is playing an increasingly important role in reducing inventory discrepancies.Inventory is a major challenge for companies in the retail sector: 82% of retailers in Zebra's latest 16th Annual Global Shopper Study say that ...

Thumbnail-Photo: New digital customer experience on the sales floor...
29.04.2024   #digital signage #data warehouse management

New digital customer experience on the sales floor

Connecting stationary retail through omnichannel digital signage

The dynamics of digital change and the fast pace of customer expectations are increasing ...

Thumbnail-Photo: Fashion retail: mobile discovery, more convenient shopping...
04.07.2024   #online trading #brick and mortar retail

Fashion retail: mobile discovery, more convenient shopping

How Breuninger is breaking boundaries with omnichannel

Breuninger, with twelve stores in Germany and another in Luxembourg, provides a traditional shopping experience ...

Thumbnail-Photo: Cash Management with the apg® Note Acceptor...
06.08.2024   #security #cashpoints

Cash Management with the apg® Note Acceptor

Stand-alone or as addition to the smarttill® Suite

Theft and counterfeit fraud are significant threats to retailers, underscoring the need for secure cash management solutions.For reliable bill validation and secure storage of high-volume bills, the apg® Note Acceptor is an essential tool. It ...

Thumbnail-Photo: Introducing the Salto Glass XS Reader Series...
10.07.2024   #RFID (radio frequency identification) #access control systems

Introducing the Salto Glass XS Reader Series

Redefining Smart Access Control

Salto proudly unveils the Glass XS Reader Series, an innovative line of products ...

Thumbnail-Photo: How efficient is your workforce management?
24.04.2024   #workforce deployment #workforce management

How efficient is your workforce management?

Workforce management software in retail is successful when it optimizes processes, increases employee satisfaction, and improves ...

Thumbnail-Photo: Successful customer loyalty in times of change: how to win with...
31.07.2024   #brick and mortar retail #sustainability

Successful customer loyalty in times of change: how to win with omnichannel

Challenges and trends in a cross-channel strategy

How has customer loyalty changed? Why is a well thought-out omnichannel strategy crucial ...

Thumbnail-Photo: POCOs experience: efficiency and customer proximity through digital...
30.04.2024   #customer satisfaction #digitization

POCO's experience: efficiency and customer proximity through digital price tags?

How ESL and other digital elements are used in furniture stores

POCO Einrichtungsmärkte GmbH relies on Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL). So far, 93 of the 127 stores have been equipped with this technology ...

Thumbnail-Photo: Transform Customer Interactions with apg® Customizable Kiosk Floor Stand...
06.08.2024   #customer experience #kiosk applications

Transform Customer Interactions with apg® Customizable Kiosk Floor Stand

The leading provider of point-of-sale cash management and retail solutions, proudly announces the launch of its new Kiosk Floor Stand.

This innovative stand is designed to revolutionize customer service in various business environments through its high adaptability and user-focused design.The apg® Kiosk Floor Stand is unique in its ability to meet the diverse needs of different ...

Thumbnail-Photo: Introducing the Design XS Keypad Wall Reader Series...
23.07.2024   #access control #authentication

Introducing the Design XS Keypad Wall Reader Series

A New Level of Security and Convenience for Access Control

Leading global access solutions provider Salto Systems, part of SALTO WECOSYSTEM, is thrilled ...

Supplier

SALTO Systems GmbH
SALTO Systems GmbH
Schwelmer Str. 245
42389 Wuppertal
apg Solutions EMEA Ltd.
apg Solutions EMEA Ltd.
4 The Drove
BN9 0LA Newhaven
REMIRA Group GmbH
REMIRA Group GmbH
Phoenixplatz 2
44263 Dortmund
Zebra Technologies Germany GmbH
Zebra Technologies Germany GmbH
Ernst-Dietrich-Platz 2
40882 Ratingen