Näraffar, the world’s first supermarket to operate with no staff (aside from a single ‘store operator’), has opened its doors in Viken, Sweden, using a system whereby shoppers scan items with their phones and then receive an invoice at the end of the month, International Supermarket News reports.
The supermarket is open 24 hours per day and stocks all essential products, though not alcohol, cigarettes, or over-the-counter medications. Shoppers simply scan products’ bar codes and then place them in their bags. The store operator ensures that shelves are sufficiently stocked.
The supermarket is equipped with six security cameras, which monitor its exterior and interior.
Its creator, IT engineer Robert Ilijason, explained, "To enter, you need to use your app, where you identify yourself using BankID, which is a Swedish ID solution used by the banks."
Ilijason added that he intends to extend the idea to other towns.
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Peter Donnelly. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
