Californian digital transformation company UST has launched its Walk-In, Walk-Out frictionless shopping technology.

The firm believes the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the in-store retail experience and consumer buying patterns permanently. Contactless technology can redefine customers’ relationships with retail by eliminating long checkout queues and waiting times. As a result, customers get a seamless shopping experience that allows them to walk into a store, grab their items and immediately walkout.

The technology behind Walk-In, Walk-Out is an integration of artificial intelligence (AI), sensors and cameras working together to enable the core features. Customers enter the store by scanning a QR code in the mobile app, selecting desired items from the shelves, and thereafter exiting the store, receiving their digital receipt in seconds. Implemented by UST, this can be installed and functional in a little as eight weeks.

“It’s all about accessibility, convenience and, most importantly, safety,” said Mahesh Athalye, senior director ofUST. “With the solution, profits can be maximised, and customer experience improved, all as a result of the 24/7 access, and no checkout lines. UST Walk-In, Walk-Out empowers companies to drive and reap the rewards of new technology and its impact on their bottom lines.”

Piloted with Retail Business Services, the services company of Ahold Delhaize USA, and another for a leading European grocery retailer, UST is implementing this end-to-end frictionless shopping for grocery retailers, convenience stores, cafeterias and grab-and-go food stores at airports and universities across the USA, Asia and Europe. With this, retailers can integrate with other retail technology that UST offers such as Healthy Store, Chatbot and RapidCEL.

“In this new normal, customers are concerned about their personal risk and those of their communities,” said Krishna Prasad, chief customer officer at UST. “The big challenge has been implementing this in a safe, fair and equitable way. For businesses looking to drive profits, delight customers and gain a competitive edge, making an investment in frictionless shopping is the critical next step. It aligns with the new realities for global retailers to instil consumer confidence.”

For more than 20 years, UST has partnered clients from design to operation. It has more than 26,000 employees in 25 countries.