#Germany #Diebold Nixdorf #Smart Vision #EDEKA Beckesepp #Waltershofen

EDEKA Beckesepp Innovates with Self-Service Checkouts

In the heart of Waltershofen, Germany, EDEKA Beckesepp has taken a significant leap into the future of retail by integrating cutting-edge technology into its new store. Partnering with Diebold Nixdorf, a recognized leader in banking and retail solutions, EDEKA has introduced self-service checkouts that utilize AI-powered Smart Vision technology for fresh produce recognition and age verification.

The New Shopping Experience

The innovation behind EDEKA Beckesepp's self-service checkouts aims to revolutionize how customers purchase their groceries, especially fresh items such as fruits and vegetables. Previously, selecting and weighing these items could be cumbersome, but now, customers can simply place their selected products on a scale equipped with an overhead camera. The system intelligently identifies the items and displays them on the screen, facilitating a more efficient checkout experience without the need for barcode scanning.

The Vynamic® Smart Vision | Fresh Produce Recognition not only simplifies the transaction process but also reduces dependencies on store personnel, allowing staff to dedicate more time to enhancing customer service.

Intelligent Age Verification

Furthermore, EDEKA Beckesepp has tackled another common hurdle in grocery shopping: the purchase of age-restricted products. The new self-service checkouts also feature the Vynamic® Smart Vision | Age Verification solution, which automatically verifies customer age without storing any personal information. When a customer attempts to purchase age-restricted items, such as alcohol, they can choose to utilize the automatic age recognition feature. Here, a camera analyzes the customer's facial features using sophisticated AI algorithms, allowing the transaction to proceed seamlessly for those above the legal age, while staff only intervene for those who do not meet the age requirements or have opted out of the automatic verification.

This system adheres to GDPR regulations, ensuring all processes are secure and compliant. For purchases outside regular operating hours, customers can gain access to the store with an ID card, making shopping flexible and accommodating.

A Store for the Community

Located within a dual-purpose residential and commercial building, the new EDEKA Beckesepp spans approximately 920 square meters and provides essential local supplies to the community. The store operates extensively, even allowing customers to shop without staff supervision from 6 p.m. to midnight. Owner Johannes Ruf expressed that the store's development focused on balancing customer convenience with optimized employee deployment. He articulated that both self-service checkout innovations are designed to address the most common complaints, namely the tedious item selection for fresh goods and the necessary interactions for purchasing age-restricted items.

The Future of Grocery Shopping

As one of the modern solutions by Diebold Nixdorf in the retail landscape, the EDEKA Beckesepp project serves as an inspiring example of how technology can be leveraged to provide an enhanced shopping experience. Leyla Feghhi, head of Retail Sales at Diebold Nixdorf, remarked that this implementation not only benefits consumers by allowing for greater shopping flexibility but also enables retailers to modernize their operational concept. Self-service models align with today's fast-paced lifestyles, giving consumers control over their shopping practices while streamlining staff responsibilities.

The possibilities for further expansion and integration of this technology into additional EDEKA locations are already in discussion, demonstrating a promising future for AI in retail. With a strong foundation of tradition spanning over 125 years, EDEKA Beckesepp is proud to continue its legacy while embracing the technology of tomorrow. Interested customers can find more information about the store and its offerings at Beckesepp's website.

In a world where convenience is key, EDEKA Beckesepp exemplifies a forward-thinking approach, ensuring that shopping is not only efficient but also enjoyable.