august2024 - 20

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MICRO MARKETS
An operator's guide to
smart market options
Much like the initial slow acceptance of micro markets
themselves, operators are " kicking the tires " when it comes to
smart market technology. As the revenue reports come in, it is
only a matter of time before this AI-driven equipment takes over
for U.S. operators. It has in many parts of the world already.
by Bob Tullio
A
T THE 2024 NAMA SHOW IN DALLAS IN
early May, smart coolers were a popular topic of
conversation among operators. What makes a
cooler smart?
" I would define a smart cooler as a system that
can manage its own inventory, sales and take payments,
which funny enough, sounds a lot like a vending
machine, " said Evan Jarecki, co-founder of Gimme, an
industry software company that builds management,
delivery and invoicing tools for micro markets and vending
operators.
Unlike vending, noted Jarecki, smart coolers can mitigate
theft using weight sensors or video technology, and
customers can touch and inspect their selection before
they make the purchase.
" I do believe they are a game changer for the industry
right now, " Jarecki added. " They combine the best of markets
and the best of vending. It allows the product variety
of a market and the security of a vending machine. Those
are two challenges that continue to pop up in vending
locations and for micro markets. "
Not surprisingly, the buzz surrounding smart coolers
and markets has created a new landscape for operators.
They now have numerous options when it comes to
selecting these smart devices, a fact that was evident on
the convention floor at the 2024 NAMA Show.
SMART COOLERS ARE THE SOLUTION
Ryan McWhirter, vice president of product development
at 365 Retail Markets, a smart cooler manufacturer,
said the competition will be healthy for the industry. He
expects to see more smart coolers and markets available
20 Automatic Merchandiser * August 2024
in the future. " Having attended Vend Italia in Milan, Italy,
right after NAMA, we know that for every smart cooler
here in the USA, there are five in Europe. It's clear from
the conversations we have with operators that they are
yearning for the perfect marriage of markets and vending
to increase same-store sales and reach. Smart coolers are
the solution, " he said.
365 Retail Markets introduced its PicoCooler in 2020,
which McWhirter said the company likes to lovingly call
their " dumb cooler. " That was followed by PicoCooler
Breeze one year later, which used weighted shelves to
detect product movement. " Everything changed with
Stockwell, our first computer vision solution launched
at NAMA 2022 in Chicago, " McWhirter said. " Then this
year, we launched PicoCooler Vision, another step in our
incremental innovation that builds on the past to create
the best solution for operators. "
365 Retail Markets
Smart coolers and markets use AI-driven technology to
monitor product selections and charge for only what is taken.
august2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of august2024
