REWE smart stores.
A safe space for consumers on the move
One of Europe’s leading trade group REWE Group and its subsidiary Lekkerland, which supplies food and drinks to filling stations, are exploring the potential of autonomous unmanned stores for locations such as e-car charging stations alongside motorways.
Client
REWE Group/
Lekkerland
Category
Retail
Scale
various
Location
Bispingen & roll out
Assignment
Explore the concept and develop a series of autonomous unmanned stores for specific locations, ranging from Smart Shops to Smart Automats, and from Smart Boxes to Smart Stops.
Make it fit the first pilot of the Smart Automat located in Bispingen, Germany.
Result
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3D interpretation of the REWE branding concept.
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Clear colour blocking for instant recognition.
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Warm and welcoming point of sale.
Consuming on the Move
Consumer behavior is evolving all the time, and these days people want to buy snacks, food and drinks on the go, 24/7, quickly and contactlessly. Retailers are increasingly targeting direct consumption at high-traffic venues, such as motorway charging stations for e-cars. The design needs to offer an inviting and safe environment for consumers and support optimal stock replenishment system for retailers.
REWE To Go
The first prototype designed by Ce. is the REWE To Go Smart Box. This shop inside a container filled with sensors and camera’s enables the consumer to purchase products without being checked out by a cashier or using a self-checkout station. The concept features a range of possible attachments: exterior lightboxes to advertise products and guide customers through the purchasing process, pick-up lockers, plants, bike racks and benches.
REWE Ready
For further development of the autonomous store concepts into working pilots, REWE created a new brand: REWE Ready. As soon as REWE had finalized the logo and branding, Ce. translated the 2D concept into a 3D design. The warm and welcoming colour palette of purple and beige finds texture and tactility in cement-bonded particleboard, birch slats and tiling.
Colours can be applied horizontally to emphasize the length of the container, or vertically to make it optically shorter. The colour blocking principle can extend asymmetrically around the container and into the covered point of sale. Exterior lighting enhances the feeling of safety created by the transparency.
Smart Automat
This design is applied to the first pilot working pilot of a Smart Automat. The biggest vending machine in the world. In this system, all processes are digitalized. This leads to a customer experience that is unparalleled in the smart store sector. From ordering to collection, everything is automated. Sales staff are not needed.
Smart Stops
Ce. also designed alternatives to the Smart Box and Smart Automat in the form of smaller semi-open units, the Smart Stop.
These compact units consist of two or four vending machines under a sloping roof, partly enclosed by transparent glass screens. The design exudes a sense of openness and accessibility, with transparency at its core.
Possible extras include seating. The overhanging roof plane creates a sheltered space around the unit. Autonomous retail solutions will undoubtedly play an important role in the future retail landscape and Ce. helps design solutions that meet the needs of both retailers and consumers.
Team
Visit this place?
If you want to see more of this ‘save space’ for consumers on the road, call Sander. He will be happy to take you (at least in words and visuals) to Bispingen (DE).
