Colleges across the country are implementing a futuristic new technology: stores with no staff. Students can shop, scan items using a self-checkout system, and leave. If your campus retail outlets need to expand their hours or manage staff smarter, cashier-less store technology may be an effective solution.
How does a cashier-less store work?
Grubhub partners with Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology to enable a checkout-free shopping experience, which employs an interconnected system of cameras and sensors. The shopping process is simple:
- Students present a payment method to enter the store. They can tap a contactless card, use a digital wallet, or scan a QR code in an app. When the system authenticates the payment method, the store’s entrance gate opens.
- Shoppers take items from the shelf. As they do, the cashier-less technology automatically scans the product, identifies the SKU and price, and adds it to a digital cart. Cameras and shelf sensors monitor this process, adjusting the cart when products are added or put back on the shelf. Integrated artificial intelligence (AI) processes the incoming data to ensure accuracy.
- After they finish shopping, students leave the store. The system then charges the payment method the student used to enter. Receipts are available via email or in an online account, depending on individual preferences.
Benefits of cashier-less store technology on college campuses
If you’re in charge of retail outlets on a college campus, the cashier-less store concept has the potential to revolutionize operations. By implementing the technology, you can enjoy benefits that solve common challenges and enhance the student experience:
- Smarter staffing. Hiring, training, and scheduling employees is a time-consuming process—especially when you’re managing busy college students. Cashier-less stores enable you to handle high order volumes while reducing overhead costs by repurposing employees to other focus areas.
- Improved shopping experience. Students have busy schedules and don’t always have time to wait in line. Cashier-less stores meet that need, letting people grab items quickly and go. And because you don’t need to schedule cashiers, it’s possible to offer longer business hours to fuel study sessions or satisfy late-night cravings.
- Increased foot traffic. Today’s college students are highly receptive to new technology, particularly when it makes their lives more convenient. In fact, people aged 18-25 use food delivery apps more frequently than any other age group. For students, futuristic cashier-less stores may be an appealing alternative to crowded convenience stores with long lines.
- Effortless data collection. The technology in a cashier-less store is constantly gathering data. Combined with an AI-powered analysis, it can reveal useful insights about student behavior, effective store layout, and popular products. With that information, you can make better business decisions to increase revenue and design an experience that increases student loyalty.
Implementing cashier-less store technology
Switching from a traditional retail model to a cashier-less store doesn’t have to be a complex process. At Grubhub, we’re working with college campuses to integrate this cutting-edge technology in a seamless way. These efforts complement our existing Grubhub On Site service, which brings mobile ordering and delivery to university settings. If you already partner with Grubhub, this integration is a natural fit since students already know and love the Grubhub app.
If you’re looking for ways to innovate student food service operations, we can help. In addition to mobile and kiosk ordering, we offer partnerships that help colleges add self-driving delivery robots, smart lockers, campus card payments, and more. Contact Grubhub On Site today to learn more about being a pioneer in dining technology.
