The Estonian Merchants' Association awarded Reitan Convenience Estonia AS / R-Kiosk the Retail Deed of the Year 2022 title for opening Estonia's first unmanned store.
R-Kiosk GO is Estonia's first unmanned store, with no staff and no checkout. R-Kiosk GO uses artificial intelligence — an array of sensors and state-of-the-art cameras that turn shopping into a never-before-seen experience. The sensor technology detects both the weight differences of products and movement. The customer enters the store with a payment card or the app, picks the products they want, and walks out. All purchases are recorded into a virtual basket via the sensor technology, and payment happens automatically as the customer leaves the store. R-Kiosk GO is open 24/7 and a true help in places where people are constantly on the move and in a hurry.
According to Nele Peil, managing director of the Merchants' Association, the jury highlighted R-Kiosk's bold innovation, ease of use and willingness to invest in the most modern technology. "In the jury's view, this is a major step toward a more innovative way of life and an example of strong cooperation with the education sector — specifically with TalTech. The unmanned store was seen as especially timely in the context of the labour shortage, which is most likely here to stay in the service sector," Peil noted.