Aisle 24

Aisle 24 is a Canadian cashier-less grocery franchise that builds unmanned, fully automated convenience stores that are open 24/7, 365 days a year. The company partners with national and international property developers to build stores across densely populated residential communities. The stores are to be operated by franchisees who will also be responsible for maintenance. 

Customers can use the company’s app to enter the store and can check out their purchases using a self-service kiosk that allows shoppers to scan the universal product code labels of the products and make payments using credit/debit cards or mobile payments. They can also use the kiosk to search for products that meet specific dietary requirements and preferences. The stores use advanced security systems to reduce the risk of theft.

Aisle 24 stores come in two standard sizes. The resident format is about 350 to 600 sq ft and is designed for the inside of a common area of a building. The community format ranges from 1000 sq ft upwards and is designed for a standard commercial space. Aisle 24 provides franchisee support in site selection, setting up, training, and marketing, also providing the required construction equipment, signage, and technology to set the store up. The product mix sold in the stores is customized by franchisees based on location demographics, with support from Aisle 24. The products can be ordered from an approved list of suppliers and shipped directly to the stores. 

Franchisees can remotely manage and monitor the store using the company’s cloud-based platform. Product prices are remotely updated and combined with the inventory tracking system, allowing store managers to update the pricing of products based on the season and demand, or to push products before their best date. The store reconciles inventory each week to track shrinkage and provides analytics to streamline inventory management, analyze point of sale data, and optimize the store’s product mix.

Key customers and partnerships

In September 2016, the company launched its first cashier-less grocery store in partnership with Knightstone Capital and Centennial College at Centennial Place Student Residence. 

In August 2022, the company partnered with Smart Installs Inc., a Canada-based customer security solutions provider and Swedish manufacturer of video surveillance products Axis Communications to launch an automated store that features an integrated security solution. The solution uses video surveillance technology, audio technology, 2N audio/video intercoms, and an AI-enabled video management system to provide the store managers surveillance coverage, custom access control, remote control, and analytics designed to assist staff in inventory and store management.

As of March 2024, Aisle 24 operates over 30 stores across Canada. The company planned to continue expansion across Canada, the US, South America as well as parts of Europe and Asia.