IT specialist launches convenience store that opens and bills shoppers via a mobile app
A Swedish coder has presented a solution to the closure of local shops across the world as the cost of employing staff continues to see them losing out to larger supermarkets.
Robert Ilijason has conceived and launched an unmanned store called Country Store 2.0 which operates fully via mobile app.
Stocking the shop himself with basic items like milk, bread, sugar, canned food, nappies and more, Illajason’s service only requires shoppers to register and download an app.
A fingerprint scan, via said app reportedly opens the front door, which would otherwise remain locked for those without a mobile.
The lack of staffing, he argues, could help return a profit margin to small scale ventures and see a resurgence of convenience stores in isolated areas – such as Viken, southern Sweden where he opened his venture.
He said: “My ambition is to spread this idea to other villages and small towns. It is incredible that no one has thought of his before."
The outlet operates with a degree of trust, however, the store is covered with six surveillance cameras and Illajason receives a text notification whenever the front door remains open for more than eight seconds.
Customers scan the goods via the mobile app and receive monthly invoices.
Across the world, the retail sector is in flux as brands looks to differentiate themselves in a saturated market.
Earlier today UK chain Morrisons inked a partnership with Amazon to take advantage of its extensive e-commerce network as it tries to make up lost ground against rivals and discount newcomers Lidl and Aldi.