Shopping using the latest camera and sensor technology
The Rewe Group has successfully completed the test phase of the "REWE Pick&Go" concept in a store in Hamburg. The store is located in the Hoheluft West district of Eimsbüttel. The completion of this test phase marks a milestone.
The concept works in such a way that customers can pack their desired products and then leave the store without having to check out. Using state-of-the-art camera and sensor technology, the products are recorded and automatically billed. This is now also possible at the service counter. All customers need is the Pick&Go app.
Alternative payment methods are also available. Customers can also pay at the self-checkout terminal, classically at the cash register or via computer vision support without scanning at the self-checkout terminal.
The sales area covers 1,200 square meters with around 20,000 items. Thanks to the reduced workload in the checkout areas, the 48 or so employees now have more capacity for advice, product range maintenance and service.
Opening of a second Pick&Go store in Hamburg
In the Pick&Go stores in Cologne, Berlin, Munich and Düsseldorf, only customers who use the Pick&Go app benefit from the concept. The Hamburg store offers more flexibility, as customers can choose a payment method while shopping. If they choose Pick&Go, there is no need to go to the checkout terminal and pay manually.
A second store in Hamburg was converted in mid-June and is currently being tested. The system should also be available to all customers here after the summer. The sales area is 900 square meters.
The system processes the captured images in a data-saving manner. They are only used to enable checkout-free shopping. No facial recognition takes place; only the products that are removed from the shelves are recorded.
International technology partnership
According to Rewe, the company is working with Trigo Vision Ltd, a company specializing in computer vision technology, to implement this concept.
The implementation is carried out by creating a 3D model of a supermarket in order to digitally depict the environment and movements within it.