IMPORTANT: RetailDetail has upgraded its website. To regain access to your account and enjoy our plus-content, please select the ‘sign in’ button, enter your email address and choose a new password.
RetailDetail EU
Europe - EN
  • België - NL
  • Belgique - FR
  • Nederland - NL
  • Europe - EN
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Become a member
  • Sign in user
  • News
  • Events
  • Hunts
  • RetailHub
  • Food
  • Fashion
  • Home
  • Electronics
  • Beauty/Care
  • DIY/Garden
  • Leisure
  • General
RetailDetail EU
Europe - EN
  • België - NL
  • Belgique - FR
  • Nederland - NL
  • Europe - EN
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Sign in user
  • News
    • Food
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Electronics
    • Beauty/Care
    • DIY/Garden
    • Leisure
    • General
  • Events
  • Hunts
  • RetailHub
user
Written by Jorg Snoeck
In this article
Share article
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • email

Colruyt Group tests autonomous city store in Ghent

iconFood8 November, 2021

As from tomorrow Colruyt Group is testing ‘OKay Direct’, an innovative automated store concept where customers can do their shopping 24/7 in the centre of Ghent.

 

Self-service around the clock

The new city shop is located in the Belfortstraat in Ghent and is fully committed to autonomy and self-service. “To be able to continue to serve our customers optimally in the future, we are continuously studying and developing innovative solutions that contribute to a simple, fast and easy shopping experience for the customers” says Gert Somers, responsible for the city store formats at OKay.

 

As from tomorrow 9 November customers can visit the OKay Direct around the clock and seven days a week. To gain access to the shop, the customer has to scan the QR code of his Xtra-app or card. The technology behind the concept automatically registers which products the customer takes from the shelves. By re-scanning the QR code at the checkout, the final bill is created and the customer can pay electronically before leaving the shop.

 

Extensive testing

The first OKay Direct is 150 m² and sells 650 sku’s of both A-brands and private labels. The assortment consists mainly of fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, bread and ready meals. Customers will also find some “essential” products such as toilet paper and toothpaste.

 

“With this innovative pilot project, we will evaluate the feasibility, popularity and success of such a shop format in an urban environment. We believe that interest in such concepts is growing and that it meets the evolving needs of customers. We will test the concept extensively before rolling it out to other major cities,” concludes Somers.

 

The technology for the autonomous shop was developed in-house by Smart Technics, an innovative start-up within Colruyt Group.

Stay up-to-date

Receive our free newsletters and do not miss out on the latest retail news.

Subscribe
logo

As from tomorrow Colruyt Group is testing ‘OKay Direct’, an innovative automated store concept where customers can do their shopping 24/7 in the centre of Ghent.   Self-service around the clock The new city shop is located in the Belfortstraat in Ghent and is fully committed to autonomy and self-service. “To be able to continue to serve our customers optimally in the future, we are continuously studying and developing innovative solutions that contribute to a simple, fast and easy shopping experience for the customers” says Gert Somers, responsible for the city store formats at OKay.   As from tomorrow 9...

More on Food
See more
  • iconFood17 May, 2022
    Flash delivery service Flink acquires French competitor Cajoo

    Consolidation in the instant delivery business: the German flash delivery company Flink is buying Cajoo, its French competitor. This way, Flink wants to expand considerably on the French market, with Carrefour as shareholder no less.

  • iconFood16 May, 2022
    “Private label will gain even more importance during this crisis”

    Buying behaviour is changing dramatically today, as the prices of A-brands in the supermarket are rising significantly. Delhaize shifts focus on purchasing power, by means of its private brands and the SuperPlus card. Price is top of mind again Inflation is hitting Belgium harder than neighbouring countries, a perverse consequence...

  • iconFood16 May, 2022
    Casino sells off its solar energy division

    French retail group Casino is selling GreenYellow, its green energy division. Casino hopes to raise at least 1.5 billion euros for the company and thus reduce its debts.

Events
  • 9
    Jun
    Future of Food Congress
  • 14
    Sep
    Captains of Retail 2022
  • 22
    Sep
    RetailDetail Day 2022
  • 13
    Oct
    Human Resources & People Congress
  • 20
    Oct
    Trade & Shopper Marketing Congress
  • 24
    Nov
    RetailDetail Night 2022
Most read
  • iconGeneral17 May, 2022
    Amazon pays shoppers to spy on competitors
  • iconFood17 May, 2022
    Flash delivery service Flink acquires French competitor Cajoo
  • iconElectronics17 May, 2022
    Media Markt sells 40% less online post-pandemic
  • iconFood16 May, 2022
    “Private label will gain even more importance during this crisis”
Follow RetailDetail
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • linkedIn
footer-logo
RetailDetail, the leading b2b-retailcommunity in the Benelux, keeps retail professionals up-to-date by means of online & offline publications, retail events, inspiring retail hunts and the unique co-creation platform retailhub, where retailers and their suppliers can experience the future of shopping.
RetailDetail Mailing Address:
Kolveniersstraat 7, bus 26 
2000 Antwerp
Visiting address:
Stadsfeestzaal – Meir 78 
2000 Antwerp
How to reach us:
Directions
© 2022 RetailDetail
general conditions | privacy policy
+32 3 500 89 59 info@retaildetail.be