Coca-Cola has launched its first unstaffed store using AI in Hungary, partnering with Kende Retail Ltd. to conquer the automated retail market. With plans to open 15 cashier-less stores over the next three years, Coca-Cola HBC Hungary aims to triple its revenue with these AI-driven solutions by 2026.
Coca-Cola’s unstaffed stores
Coca-Cola HBC Hungary plans to invest HUF 250 million (EUR 612,300) over three years to establish 15 cashier-less and unstaffed stores, aiming to triple its revenue from this sector by 2026. With nearly two decades of experience in unmanned vending solutions, the company is leveraging AI-driven technology to modernize shopping experiences. The Hungarian automated retail market, valued at approximately HUF 50 billion (EUR 122 million), includes vending machines for cold and hot beverages, snacks, and ready meals. Ágnes Kovács, the Managing Director of Coca-Cola HBC Hungary says: In the years since the coronavirus pandemic, the Hungarian retail sector has undergone a major transformation, with new technologies taking root, new shopping habits, a noticeable labor shortage, and the pervasive digitalization of the sector (… ) Our current plans are to open 15 stores in three years, including the existing store at Yettel Hungary’s headquarters, with a combined investment value of more than HUF 250 million, and we expect to triple our revenue from this pioneering retail solution by the end of 2026.
How does this work?
Coca-Cola has introduced Hungary’s first AI-powered micro-shop, offering a seamless, cashierless shopping experience. The artificial intelligence system ensures the smooth operation of cameras and sensors while gathering data on shopping habits, product consumption, and time spent in-store. Upon entering, customers are linked to a virtual shopping cart via the Take It Easy app, developed by Kende Retail Ltd. Cameras track their movements, and sensors monitor selected products, enabling seamless transactions without the need for manual checkout. The system adheres to GDPR regulations, ensuring privacy by avoiding facial recognition technology.
The first store
Located at Yettel Hungary’s headquarters in Törökbálint, the unmanned store serves 800-900 employees daily. Coca-Cola HBC Hungary supplies a range of beverages, including carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks, mineral water, and energy drinks. In addition, the store stocks snacks, ready meals, canned food, dairy products, and hygiene essentials. This innovative retail solution highlights Coca-Cola’s commitment to modernizing shopping experiences through AI-driven automation.
Source: Daily News Hungary
