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With a smart fridge, lunch chain Exki finds its way to customers whether they are at work, travelling or relaxing. This will allow everyone to find a healthy meal at any time of the day. “We see opportunities for 300 Exki Fridge vending machines”, Exki says.
New distribution channel
An unstaffed, automated mini-restaurant where customers can find a selection of Exki’s wholesome food assortment: that’s Exki Fridge. This omnichannel solution works based on RFID technology: customers scan the QR code with the app or swipe their card, open the fridge and take out their desired products. The purchase is registered via RFID tags, and the transaction is completed automatically.
Currently, there are only two fridges operational, but soon, there will be more, says co-founder and CEO Nicolas Morlet, an entrepreneur who developed his passion for food technology in Asia. He created the new solution in a joint venture with Exki. Now they are ready for rollout. “This is a new, digitised distribution channel for Exki: we go to consumers at their workplace, or wherever they are travelling, or wherever they are relaxing”, he says. He will reveal more about it at the RetailDetail Omnichannel & E-Commerce Congress.
Flexible solution
Exki Fridge is a flexible solution for hybrid workplaces but can also be used elsewhere. “We see potential in the health sector because we offer a healthy product. We are working with the Sint-Lucas hospital in Brussels, as they want to offer a balanced diet to their staff and students. Exki also has a strong presence at train stations and airports. That’s where our solution fits in perfectly: travellers can quickly make their way to our user-friendly fridge.”
With the smart fridge, Exki is responding to recent trends in the hospitality industry and corporate canteens, where the footfall fell, and delivery grew strongly. “We don’t try to replace the catering industry, but we are searching out the consumer wherever they are, to give them the chance to eat healthy at any time of the day. In the Exki Fridge, customers will find a selection of our assortment, depending on demand. In addition, we have a delivery service: if you order before 10 am, we will deliver before 12.30 pm.”
‘Made in Europe’
In terms of the technology, Exki Fridge has an exclusive partnership with a French company specialising in RFID technology. The refrigeration technology originates from Italy. “This is truly ‘made in Europe’. We are proud of that: many other similar solutions come from China.”
Worldline is also an essential partner: “We wanted to be able to offer a maximum of payment methods at our omnichannel solution. That is complicated because you have to go through different payment service providers, who exclusively use certain cards or other means of payment. With Worldline, we have ensured that users can use any payment method you can think of.”
Three countries
Exki Fridge has been in existence for nearly a year now. The first fridges were installed as a trial at Exki’s headquarters and BECI, the Brussels Chamber of Commerce on Avenue Louise. Now the startup is ready for a rollout. “Over the course of March, we will install the first refrigerators at third-party customers.”
But the ambitions stretch further: “Exki is active in several European countries, but with this solution, we are initially concentrating on three countries. In Belgium, we are targeting Brussels and Antwerp, where we already have a strong presence with restaurants and delivery. In France, we are strongly represented in Paris and the Ile-de-France region. In addition, we are also going to Luxembourg. We see the potential for approximately 300 refrigerators in the next three to five years.”
See you on 24 March
Keen to know more? Nicolas Morlet will unveil Exki Fridge’s future plans on 24 March, during the RetailDetail Omnichannel & E-Commerce Congress, taking place in Antwerp. The international line-up for the event also includes the ambitious baby store De Gele Flamingo, fashion retailer C&A, and Ochama, the robotised omnichannel concept by Chinese internet giant JD.com. The event will be hosted by retail professor Gino Van Ossel from Vlerick Business School. More names will be announced shortly. Through this link, you can find all the information and order your tickets. Don’t wait too long: spaces are limited.
