Sberbank, the state-controlled finance and technology behemoth, Azbuka Vkusa, a leading grocery retail outlet network, and Visa have teamed up to launch “Russia’s first store fitted with computer vision solutions.”
Located in the Moscow City business center, the ‘Take&Go’ store features an “intellectual surveillance system” which “constantly tracks the products on shelves.”
When entering the store, customers must scan a QR code using a dedicated mobile app. A virtual basket will be associated to any customer picking up something from a shelve. If put back, the item will instantly be removed from the virtual basket.
Customers can leave the store with their purchases. The money is automatically debited from their bank card.
There are no lines, cashiers or self-checkout machines – which might a good thing in times of epidemic but will not help create jobs.
Now being tested by a limited number of users, the store will become available to all, under plans, in a few weeks.
“This may become a popular way of shopping, which we’ll get used to as fast as got used to cashless payments a while ago,” believes Svetlana Kirsanova, Deputy Chairman of Sberbank’s Executive Board.
“The demand for innovative payment solutions is high among Russian consumers,” notes Michael Berner, Country Manager Russia at Visa. “According to our data, two-thirds of Russians are interested in using convenient payment services based on innovative technologies, so we are confident that the all-new computer vision solution will very soon enjoy popularity among customers.”
