Checkers Rush concept store: The inside story

Shoprite Group on Wednesday announced it has launched a pilot store in Cape Town that has no cashiers and no checkout counters. The store is entirely powered by cameras and artificial intelligence software.
There isn't even a point of sale -- consumers' bank cards are billed automatically as they leave the store with the goods they have selected.
TechCentral spoke to Shoprite Group chief of strategy and innovation Neil Schreuder about the store -- called Checkers Rush -- and why the JSE-listed retail giant is testing the concept in South Africa.
Similar to Amazon Go -- Amazon.com's cashierless stores in the US and the UK -- Checkers Rush promises an "automated, cashless 'no queues, no checkout, no waiting'" experience. It's in internal testing with employees for now but may be rolled out wider if it proves successful in the pilot.
The concept store is the brainchild of Shoprite Group's new division, ShopriteX, which use data science to “enhance customer experiences”. The division was also responsible for the popular Sixty60 online shopping app.
Don't miss the discussion about innovation in South Africa's retail sector.

[@amandamatthewson8413]

Such a game changer, really inspirational

[@lunikamasango4741]

There is going to be a huge demand, in developing and computer/technology studied just watch

[@zamaswazishabalala9951]

Love to see it!!!!

[@schallabeer]

Game changer!!

[@kmshousedesign9910]

Yaphela imisebenzi yabantu

[@lu881]

Technology waits for no one. South Africans can rather focus on learning the technology behind this development, this will make them 10 times more valuable, and make them get paid WAY more than they would as cashiers. They also would make South Africa a hub for emerging technology at least for Africa. But in the world. Meaning that they will become demanded in the world.

[@luthosohoma9102]

Yho

[@Lweystah]

It’s a great development but unfortunately checkers target market is not like Woolworths target market people will complain about this and see it as killing job opportunities and increasing unemployment

[@user-ly8ig7ih3b]

then its a lesson people should give birth to kids they can employ in their own businesses

[@shantelfredericks258]

Wow, what Tech won't do for us.

[@willemwikkelspies7732]

Computers won't chase and apprehend thieves and fraudulent card holders .

[@lu881]

Business opportunity then.

[@calebramiah9130]

It just means we have to tighten our secuirty as with AI we can track faces and accounts there's always a trace left behind

[@doomnoises]

The reinforced doors will not let you out; the police will be notified automatically (no comment on the results of that though); think about what AI everywhere will mean. No privacy. No freedom. No crime, also nice, but more people will simply starve. Lots of grey areas

[@scarletphoenix1121]

Where's the job creation? There are already no jobs in South Africa. It's a nice idea but not in a country like South Africa.

[@lu881]

I honestly see things like this as a long term investment. It would not put us behind the rest of the world in the future, and would mean that we have a good market share or at least 100% of the market share in South Africa, which is how the tech business works. Grow fast. Right now, we should just invest in the skills behind it because that will onload all the potential jobs people might lose.

[@payps-retail]

I would like to meet one of you to present my free coupons web app

[@marispangenberg1097]

Cashless society...

[@lunikamasango4741]

Bruhhhh jobs jobs jobs, the good thing about this is that people will be forced to go to school and get the skills required to work at Shoprite and I'm pretty sure other companies Will be moving forward with this concept, Soo you'll be required to go to school which is good people won't quit school thinking that they going to work at Shoprite tills. I think petrol stations might also do this, people will go to a petrol station insert a card anddd get Petrol for the amount they wanted.. You there won't be jobs for people who never did finish school... They helping people in a way.. yes employment will decrease but people have no choice now but to go to school and get the skills required to work there

[@lunikamasango4741]

Damn, since they will be cutting jobs, they will be having a lot of profit since money won't be going to workers, they could decrease their prices dramatically wich would make them number one in the country...

[@lunikamasango4741]

For this to be done, it would most like be done all over the country probably 10 yrs

[@OMS62]

Bye bye job creation!!! ;-)