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Convenience stores in airports have been revolutionised by the introduction of checkout-free technology, with companies like Zippin and Amazon leading the way. This innovative technology allows travellers to enter a store, select their desired items, and exit without the need for a traditional payment process. Hudson, a prominent travel retailer, has embraced this concept with its Hudson Nonstop and Evolve stores, utilising Amazon's Just Walk Out and palm payment technologies. Airports across the United States, including Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and Chicago Midway International Airport, are now home to these futuristic convenience stores. This trend showcases the evolving nature of airport retail, where companies like Airport Retail Group, LLC and OTG are also creating exciting shopping experiences for travellers, offering a mix of well-known brands and local products to meet the diverse needs of their customers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Store Names | Hudson, Cibo Express Gourmet Markets, Camden Food Express, Shake Shack, Moe’s SW Grill, Hissho Sushi, Firehouse Subs, Auntie Anne’s, Chili’s, Starbucks, Smash Burger, Chick-fil-A, Cocktail Room, Bottle Rocket, Herschel/Tentree, Tumi/Hugo Boss, Open Concept, Just Jersey, LEGO/Natalie’s Candy Jar, PopSox, VUE New Jersey, WH Smith+Wellness, BurgerFi, Garden State Market, Kitchen Step, Ess-a-Bagel, Carlito’s Barbecue Taqueria, Montclair, Hugo Coffee Roasters, Rockwell Old Fashioned Ice Cream Co, P.F., Grab & Fly |
| Technology Used | Amazon's Just Walk Out technology, Amazon One, Zippin's AI system, Mobile point-of-sale system |
| Store Locations | Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Chicago Midway International Airport, La Guardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Rio de Janeiro's Tom Jobim International Airport |
| Store Features | Frictionless checkout, Contactless shopping, Grab-and-go products, Exciting retail spaces |
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What You'll Learn
- Hudson's checkout-free convenience stores at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport
- C-stores with frictionless checkout technology
- Cibo Express Gourmet Markets with Amazon's Just Walk Out technology
- Camden Food Express in New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport
- OTG's airport gourmet market with over 1,000 products
Hudson's checkout-free convenience stores at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport
The travel retailer Hudson has opened checkout-free convenience stores at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport. These stores aim to provide a frictionless shopping experience for travellers by eliminating the need for traditional checkout processes.
At Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Hudson introduced two types of checkout-free stores: Hudson Nonstop and Evolve by Hudson. Hudson Nonstop, powered by Amazon's Just Walk Out technology, allows customers to enter, select their desired items, and exit without the need for a formal checkout. This technology uses sensors and computer vision to track items selected by customers, enabling them to zip in and out without waiting in lines. The store offers a wide range of products, including food, wine, grab-and-go items, electronics, and local souvenirs. It is located in a spacious 1,600-square-foot area adjacent to a wine bar.
In addition to Hudson Nonstop, Hudson also introduced its Evolve store concept at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. While specific details about the frictionless technology used in Evolve stores are scarce, it is known that they will offer a mobile point-of-sale system alongside the checkout-free shopping experience. The Evolve store at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is set to open in early 2023, providing travellers with additional convenient shopping options.
At Los Angeles International Airport, Hudson plans to open two more automated convenience stores: another Hudson Nonstop store and an Evolve by Hudson store. Both stores will be located in the Delta Air Lines concourse, offering easy access for travellers. The Hudson Nonstop store in Los Angeles is expected to offer a similar shopping experience as its counterpart in Dallas, with a wide range of products available through Amazon's Just Walk Out technology. The Evolve store in Los Angeles is also slated to open in early 2023, providing travellers with a convenient and efficient shopping experience.
These checkout-free convenience stores by Hudson represent a growing trend in airports across North America. By leveraging technology, such as Amazon's Just Walk Out and palm payment systems, these stores enhance customer convenience and staff efficiency. Travellers can make last-minute purchases without the hassle of waiting in lines, improving their overall airport experience.
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C-stores with frictionless checkout technology
Convenience stores, or c-stores, in airports have been adopting new technologies to enhance the customer experience and remain competitive. One notable trend is the integration of frictionless checkout technology, which aims to eliminate pain points during the checkout process and provide a faster and more convenient shopping journey for travellers.
Frictionless checkout technology has gained prominence since Amazon introduced its first Amazon Go store in 2016, which offered a unique shopping experience by requiring customers to download an app, enter their payment information, and scan the app to enter the store. Once inside, customers could select their items and simply walk out, bypassing the traditional queue and checkout process. This innovative approach set a new standard for convenience and sparked a race among retailers and technology companies to develop their own frictionless checkout solutions.
C-stores in airports are now embracing similar technologies to streamline the checkout experience for their customers. For instance, Cruizers convenience stores introduced the Skip app across its 27 North Carolina locations, enabling customers to scan and pay for items directly through the app. Similarly, 7-Eleven piloted its own Scan & Pay feature within its 7-Eleven app, allowing customers to scan and pay for their items without needing to interact with a cashier. These advancements empower travellers to make purchases quickly and efficiently, avoiding the hassle of long lines and waiting times.
To support these innovations, c-stores are upgrading their Point of Sale (POS) systems to incorporate cloud technology, lightweight hardware, and microservice-based architecture. These enhancements not only reduce hardware costs but also enable faster deployment of new features and improvements. By leveraging digital wallets, contactless credit and debit cards, and mobile payment options, c-stores are creating a seamless and contactless transaction experience that meets the evolving expectations of consumers in a post-pandemic world.
By adopting frictionless checkout technology, c-stores in airports are transforming the way travellers shop. With faster transactions, cashier-less checkouts, and integrated loyalty programs, c-stores are providing a more efficient and personalised shopping experience. This not only improves customer satisfaction but also drives loyalty and increases revenue. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative solutions in the future, further elevating the convenience and speed of checkout processes in airport c-stores.
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Cibo Express Gourmet Markets with Amazon's Just Walk Out technology
Cibo Express Gourmet Markets, an airport convenience retailer, has introduced Amazon's Just Walk Out technology in select airport locations. The first cashierless Cibo Express Gourmet Market opened on March 16, 2020, at Newark Liberty's Terminal C in New Jersey, with additional stores planned for the same airport as well as New York's LaGuardia Airport.
To shop at these stores, customers swipe their credit card upon entering, take what they want, and simply walk out, with their card being charged automatically upon exit. Amazon's Just Walk Out technology employs on-shelf weight sensors that detect items as they are removed or replaced, adding them to a virtual cart. This eliminates the need for a traditional checkout process, saving time for busy travelers.
The introduction of Amazon's Just Walk Out technology is a significant step towards optimizing the airport experience and revolutionizing the way travelers shop. Dilip Kumar, Vice President of Physical Retail Technology at Amazon, stated that "shoppers truly appreciate checkout-free retail experiences," and Amazon's technology provides the infrastructure, including cameras, sensors, and software, to create a seamless shopping journey.
Rick Blatstein, CEO of OTG, the hospitality group that operates Cibo Express Gourmet Markets, emphasized that embracing innovative technology is a means of giving guests their time back and putting them in full control of their experience. With over 100 Cibo Express markets in 10 major airports, the implementation of Amazon's Just Walk Out technology marks a significant enhancement to the convenience and efficiency of airport retail.
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Camden Food Express in New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport
In a bid to enhance the customer experience, Camden Food Express has partnered with Terminal 4 operator JFKIAT and checkout-free technology provider Zippin to introduce an artificial intelligence (AI)-based frictionless shopping experience. This enables customers to enjoy a contactless and seamless shopping journey. Upon entering the store, customers tap their credit card at the turnstile. Zippin's AI technology then automatically identifies the items selected by the customer and adds them to a virtual cart with the corresponding monetary value. As the customer exits the store, the total amount is charged to their card automatically.
The introduction of AI-based checkout-free technology at Camden Food Express is part of a wider initiative by SSP America and JFKIAT to enhance the customer experience at Terminal 4, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This innovative retail concept prioritises a contactless and safe journey for travellers.
In addition to Camden Food Express, there are several other food and beverage options available at John F. Kennedy International Airport. These include Blue Point Brewery, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin', Five Borough Food Hall, Flatiron Coffee Roasters, and Jamba Juice, among others.
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OTG's airport gourmet market with over 1,000 products
OTG has created an airport gourmet market, CIBO Express Gourmet Market, offering over 1,000 different pre-packaged, onboard-ready products and beverages. The market caters to a wide range of dietary preferences and restrictions, including organic, vegan, Kosher, all-natural, no-sugar, gluten-free, and heart-healthy options. OTG's airport terminals across the United States and Canada are designed to enhance the travel experience, integrating technology, iconic design, and locally sourced dining and market options. Their focus is on creating a comfortable, free-flowing, and tech-enhanced space for travellers.
In addition to OTG, there are several other convenience stores and retailers operating in airports. The Hudson Group, for example, has over 1,000 stores across 37 states in the US, providing a mix of national brands and quality local products. Airport Retail Group, LLC, operates retail stores at airports throughout the United States, representing both global and proprietary brands. They have a range of food and beverage options, including Shake Shack, Starbucks, and Auntie Anne's, as well as specialty retail and travel essentials.
Houston Airports, which manages George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Hobby Airport, and HouSpaceport, has also developed a strong retail presence, with shops like Shake Shack and Auntie Anne's, and connectivity to Mexico, enhancing travel options for its passengers.
Overall, airport convenience stores offer a wide range of products and services to meet the diverse needs and preferences of travellers, with an emphasis on convenience, comfort, and enhancing the overall airport experience.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several convenience stores in airports across the world, including Hudson News, Stellar News, Relay, 7-Eleven, and Cibo Express Gourmet Markets.
Airport convenience stores offer a wide range of products, including toiletries, electronics, souvenirs, bags/luggage, books, magazines, snacks, beverages, OTC medicines, health and beauty items, and phone chargers.
Yes, some airport convenience stores have introduced AI-based automated checkout systems, such as the Fort Worth Magazine Travel Store at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Camden Food Express in New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Cibo Express Gourmet Markets at JFK International Airport.
Convenience stores in airports benefit from a constant flow of customers and generally lower crime rates compared to traditional locations. Additionally, airports provide a unique opportunity to offer local products and services, creating a sense of place for travellers.
