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.
The Retail Deed of the Year was announced by the Merchants' Association for the ninth year in a row. The award is intended to highlight retail success stories and introduce successful retailers to a wider audience. The winner was officially announced on 5 October at the Retail Annual Congress.
Past winners of the Retail Deed of the Year:
- Astri Group for the development of the Balti Jaama Turg.
- Maxima for bringing Estonia's first mobile self-scanner to market.
- Pro Optika for opening the Zeiss Vision Centre concept store.
- COOP Estonia for enabling cash services in all COOP stores.
- Rahva Raamat for its distinctive and consistently surprising shopping environment.
- Apotheka pharmacies for a new pharmacy concept and innovative promotion of healthy living.
- Circle K Eesti (Statoil Fuel & Retail Eesti AS) for building a positive image of customer service staff and shaping the reputation of the retail sector.
- The Merchants' Association and its members for the variable-hours contracts pilot project in retail.