Israeli supermarket chain Machsanei Hashuk is deploying autonomous end-to-end frictionless shopping technology from local company WalkOut.

As part of the agreement, the chain will implement the fully autonomous checkout system in all 62 of its branches. Deployment will begin early next year.

Although 61 per cent of shoppers would prefer to purchase brands that also have a physical location, over 70 per cent of shoppers report that standing in queues for checkouts is frustrating and detracts from the shopping experience.

WalkOut’s retrofit smart cart addresses two main challenges that marketing chains face in the physical buying process. The first is related to waiting in long queues at the checkout. The second is the inability to create a personalised experience for each shopper.

The technology requires no costly infrastructural changes to the store. The mountable cart device’s multiple high-precision cameras, which use different proprietary algorithms to recognise products accurately, identify the items as shoppers load or remove them with 99.2 per cent accuracy.

The edge computing and machine-vision algorithms also curtail the need for costly on-cloud servers and high-bandwidth internet support. This use of single-sensor architecture and edge-computing allows retail stores to operate in a more robust and cost-effective way.

Through a large touchscreen, the device also communicates with the shopper to offer personalised recommendations, store navigation, supplementary product information and relevant promotions based on the shopper’s history and location in the store.

“Connecting to one of the largest retail chains in Israel is an exciting opportunity and an important milestone for us,” said Assaf Gedalia, CEO of WalkOut. “The solution is futuristic, personalised, and at the same time preserves the customer’s privacy.”

Shalom Naaman, CEO of Machsanei Hashuk, added: “As a chain that advocates innovative technologies, we wanted to offer our customers significant savings in waiting times at the checkouts and provide a more personal, accessible and efficient shopping experience. WalkOut will significantly shorten the length of stay in the branches, help maximise our operational efficiency, and allow us to offer one of the most advanced shopping experiences in the world.”

WalkOut, founded in 2018, has set itself the goal of changing the way consumers purchase products in physical stores by placing the checkout directly on the shopping cart. This is based on machine-vision technology capable of identifying any item placed or removed from the cart and calculating it in the final payment. In this way, the cart eliminates the need for a checkout and reduces the duration of the payment process. The large touch screen on the cart combines a personalised shopping experience with offers and promotions based on each consumer’s preferences, complementary products and the location of the products in the store. The system is modular and can be installed on existing carts in stores without the need for significant changes on the part of the store.

Machsanei Hashuk is owned and managed by Naaman & Cohen that was first established in 1996 in the city of Beer Sheva. The chain has 62 branches nationwide from Safed to Eilat. In 2019, the chain acquired Co-op, and in doing so became one of the largest marketing chains in Israel. Co-op branches have since been converted into Machsanei Hashuk sheli. The chain also operates an accessible online site. And it offers its own Wincard+ credit card, in cooperation with Max, which combines regular card rewards with the chain’s own promotions.