Shopping - Grocery retailers test Pick-up Machines
Two large German food retailers are testing Automated Collection Machines at several locations to make shopping easier for their customers. Rewe had already set up such containers some time ago and they are mainly in operation in Cologne and Berlin. Aldi Süd started testing three Automated Collection Machines in mid-July. The test is time-limited and regional, Aldi Süd stated upon request. It concerns two locations in Mülheim and one in Düsseldorf. Previously, the "Lebensmittel Zeitung" reported on this.
For the retail giant with its around 2,000 stores in Germany, this is a niche project in the age of online shopping, but it could bring new insights into changing shopping behavior.
Aldi Süd has been testing a local limited delivery service since the previous autumn, while Rewe has been doing this on a large scale for a longer time. Aldi Süd's Automated Collection Machine project is another initiative to be innovative and attractive to customers in the digital age. Rewe also has Automated Collection Machines, and there are 16 of them.
Industry experts expressed reservations about the economic potential of food-Automated Machines. Economically, it makes little sense given the relatively high storage costs, and it could result in fewer impulse purchases, says Marketing Professor Martin Fassnacht. "People no longer go to the stores and do not buy spontaneously as before."
IKEA, known for its furniture and home solutions, hasn't joined the Automated Collection Machine trend yet in North Rhine-Westphalia, where both Aldi Süd and Rewe are testing these machines. Instead, IKEA has a large store in Düsseldorf, offering a wide range of foods and home essentials.
Although some retail experts have raised doubts about the economic viability of food-Automated Machines, customers appreciate the convenience they offer, especially during the current pandemic. The reduction in human interaction can be seen as an added benefit in this context.
While Aldi Süd is testing its Automated Collection Machines in Mülheim and Düsseldorf, other discount retailers like Lidl and L König have not made such announcements yet. However, with the rise of online shopping and the changing retail landscape, it's likely that more discounters will consider this technology in the future.
Interestingly, some smaller cities in Germany, like Cologne and Berlin, are leading the way in the implementation of Automated Collection Machines. These machines, when combined with online ordering and pick-up options, could transform the traditional shopping experience.
Despite the reservations about spontaneous impulse purchases decreasing with the use of Automated Collection Machines, retailers still view this technology as a way to attract and retain customers in the digital age. By making shopping easier and more efficient, they aim to cater to the evolving needs and preferences of modern consumers.
It's worth noting that retail giants are not the only ones exploring this technology. Even local convenience stores and mom-and-pop shops in Berlin and other parts of Germany are starting to consider the use of Automated Collection Machines to enhance their services and compete in the increasingly competitive retail market.
