Greece’s retail sector has entered a new era with the opening of the country’s first cashierless convenience store by Core Innovations.

Core Innovations, a Motor Oil Group company, already operates 80 Smartshops, with the majority found inside Shell gas stations that also belong to Motor Oil Group.

This particular Smartshop introduces an innovative “phygital” (physical plus digital) commerce model to Greece, similar to the Amazon Go concept, that blends the experience of a physical store with the speed of e-commerce.

During normal operating hours, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., the Smartshop operates like a traditional convenience store with seven employees, including a cashier. However, from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., the store shifts into a fully autonomous mode with no staff, and technology overseeing the entire sales process.

To enter the convenience store during these hours, a customer first scans their debit or credit card, enters their email, and confirms that they are over 18.

The store’s sophisticated AI system then utilizes sensors and computer vision to track customer movements and product selections. Customers are free to walk around and select the items that they want to buy, before simply walking out again.

The AI system was designed to accurately track items even if they are returned or moved around, while customers are only charged for the items they take with them once they exit the convenience store.

During this autonomous mode, customers can select from around 1,500 available products covering their daily needs. This expands to approximately to 2,500 products when the store is fully staffed.

The pilot Smartshop is located at 150 Eleftheriou Venizelou Avenue, in the Athens suburb of Nea Smyrni.

Cover Photo Credit: Motor Oil Group