An ATM-style, robotic grocery store could be coming Des Moines, Iowa, might be the first market to test a standalone grocery store that is a cross between "an ATM and a very large vending machine," using a robotic system called Oasis24Seven, reports Ashlee Kieler of Consumerist. Grocery stores are increasing using technology to monitor shopping as well as tackle in-store theft. ... "
This idea has been tried before in a number of drive-through layouts. Examined this in 2006/07 in the form of the AutoCart Supercenter. Note the system described here is a very large vending machine rather than a supercenter store. The footprint is far smaller. The Robotics in either case can be done today. Stocking the larger form would seem to be far easier.
My Notes from 12/20/05
Reconnected recently with Steve Beardsley, of the Autocart effort, a drive-through supercenter. There have been a number of posts regards Autocart here. I thought perhaps that the increase in fuel prices might have dampened AC's excitement, but that is not the case. They are still planning to open the drive-through supercenter by late 06 in the Albuquerque NM area, under an undisclosed retailers name. He is now also planning a warehouse club drivethrough format in the Tucson AZ area in 07, and a new idea, an add-on drivethrough capability for existing malls. The latter is perhaps the easiest play. Much more on these ideas in his latest press release. They are looking for wholesalers to provide goods to feature in his new format. My previous posts contain some excerpts from my conversations with him, addressing some of the weaknesses of this idea. Autocart is also Autocart is also written up in a short article in the December Business 2.0 .written up in a short article in the December Business 2.0 .
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