Automated Shops Operating Without Staff During Scarcity Periods
New MCS Smart Store Concept, Qwik24, Addresses Labor Shortages and EV Charging Park Needs
MCS, a leading convenience store provider, has introduced a new Smart Store concept under the brand Qwik24. This innovative concept is designed to address labor shortages and provide a seamless grocery supply for customers, particularly in EV charging parks.
Qwik24 leverages automation and AI to optimize store operations. Smart search and instant checkout features reduce the need for on-site staff, making it an ideal solution for locations where staffing is difficult or expensive. The smart store format fits well with the space and usage patterns typical of EV charging parks, where customers wait for their vehicles to charge and seek quick access to essentials.
The Qwik24 concept includes a comprehensive package, encompassing the shop concept, location-appropriate grocery ranges, and a modern marketing package. According to MCS Managing Director Torsten Eichinger, Qwik24 aims to provide a 24/7 shopping experience for customers, enabling them to purchase groceries and daily essentials around the clock.
For customers, the benefits are numerous. The smart features of Qwik24, such as AI-powered search and personalized product recommendations, improve the shopping experience by making it quicker and more convenient. The self-payment systems eliminate the need for waiting for staff assistance, further enhancing convenience.
Qwik24 can be realized in modular containers or existing buildings, making it flexible and suitable for various locations. It can complement unmanned automated gas stations, camping sites, or EV charging parks, ensuring local supply during times of increasing skilled labor shortages.
Customers can stay updated on Qwik24 and MCS's latest news through their website (www.mcs.eu/presse), YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/MCSconvenience), Facebook page (www.facebook.de/mcs.gruppe), and press contact at Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Straße 27, Offenburg. For any enquiries, Anita Pippig can be reached at 0781/616-716 or [email protected].
[1] Automated Retail Kiosks: Leveraging Technology to Enhance Customer Experience and Drive Operational Efficiency. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2021/08/17/automated-retail-kiosks-leveraging-technology-to-enhance-customer-experience-and-drive-operational-efficiency/?sh=75d0a027276a
[2] The Future of Retail: How AI and Automation are Transforming the Shopping Experience. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/03/11/1000398/the-future-of-retail-how-ai-and-automation-are-transforming-the-shopping-experience/
[3] The Impact of AI on the Retail Industry. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2021/06/28/the-impact-of-ai-on-the-retail-industry/?sh=4d06032f6977
The Qwik24 Smart Store concept, initiated by MCS, integrates technology in retail to optimize store operations, particularly in EV charging parks, using AI for intelligent search and instant checkout. The rollout of such automated retail solutions, as seen in [1] and [2], is growing in the retail industry, harnessing the power of AI to transform the shopping experience, as detailed in [3].
