This 24-Hour “Smart” Convenience Store Has No Cashiers

As labor cuts continue and companies search for a way to eliminate more bodies, in Sweden someone came up with the unique idea of having a convenience store with ZERO employees there while the store was open late at night. They have some limitations on what they can sell, and it requires the owner to be nearby in case of shoplifting, but it seems to be working so far and has set a new standard for “minimum staffing.”

Europe is apparently quite creative in their marketing, tomorrow you’ll hear about a Danish store that only sells dented and expired products.

After a crazy, late-night run for baby food, Robert Ilijason, a 39-year-old IT specialist, had the bright idea of creating a “smart” convenience store that would be open 24 hours a day, but have no cashiers on duty. In September, he opened Näraffär, an around-the-clock shop in Viken, Sweden, where customers simply swipe their smartphones to unlock the front door. The store’s app gives them access to the building and allows them to scan items for purchase after they register with a credit card.

Näraffär sells a lot of the products that you’d expect to find, such as milk, bread, sugar, canned food, snacks, and diapers. However, it doesn’t sell tobacco or medicine because of the risk of shoplifters. And since it’s against the law to sell alcohol in convenience stores in Sweden, that, too, is one less thing Ilijason has to worry about.

To discourage shoplifters, Ilijason installed six security cameras throughout the store and is alerted directly via text message if someone tries to break in or if the front door stays open for an extended period of time. (He lives nearby, so he can easily pop in.)

In addition to its all-hours schedule, Näraffär customers are enjoying the speed that comes with not having to wait in line. Now that’s convenient.