AVA Retail

AVA retail .Ai products are transforming Retail and CPG industry using its Artificial Intelligence, and Deep Learning techniques on store's IOT infrastructure.  Using computer vision, IoT fusion and amalgamation of proprietary techniques, AVA's products help its clients a) discover friction-points in its shoppers journeys, and b) solve for the frictions. Discovering friction points: AVA uses its clients existing sensor infrastructure, cameras, etc. to generate shopper and store analytics. This real-time analytics help retailers and CPGs find answers to questions they always had without answers. Such as, why shoppers don't make a purchase.  What is the conversion of a product, shelf, or category. Is there a correlation between shoppers dwell time on a shelf and its conversion?  What are the friction points in a shoppers journey that causes them to go-away from the store or purchase online instead. Solve for friction:  AVA's Smooth Shop is a store where there are no checkout lines.  All shoppers simply check-in, shop and when done, walk away.  No need to stand in lines or self-checkout hassle.  AVA's sensors and system determine the shopping cart and charge shoppers credit card on file, automatically.  AVA's Smooth Shop is clerkless checkout - effortless.

<div>Ava Retail is a Washington-based company that specializes in digitizing brick-and-mortar stores. Its unique selling point is reportedly the use of a variety of sensors, such as Bluetooth, optical, infrared, directional, 3D, and gyroscopic, to create a fully automated experience. All of the sensors are connected to the Internet of Things (IoT), which collects data and uses algorithms that perform sensor fusion.&nbsp;</div>

Providing a seamless consumer experience is one hope for bringing back brick and mortar retail, automated stores are being built to do just that.

Automated Stores

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 Ava Retail is a Washington-based company that specializes in digitizing brick-and-mortar stores. Its unique selling point is reportedly the use of a variety of sensors, such as Bluetooth, optical, infrared, directional, 3D, and gyroscopic, to create a fully automated experience. All of the sensors are connected to the Internet of Things (IoT), which collects data and uses algorithms that perform sensor fusion.&nbsp;
 
 
 The company offers three core products: 1) &ldquo;AVA SmoothShop,&rdquo; which enables customers to enter the store using a mobile app, pick up their purchases, and exit the store to automatically complete the purchase; 2) &ldquo;AVA SmoothShop Analytics,&rdquo; which captures shopper data via in-store sensors to provide shelf- and shopper-related insights (including the items viewed by customers and the time they spent on each product or shelf); and 3) &ldquo;AVA SmartShelf&rdquo; which plays promotional videos as customers interact with products.&nbsp;
 
 
 Key customers and partnership
 
 
 The company first deployed cashrierless checkout in October 2017 with Honesty Market. In October 2018, Ava Retail partnered with Choice Markets, an operator of autonomous retail stores, to launch a checkout free store.&nbsp;
 
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 Grabango provides computer vision-powered, grab-and-go-styled fully automated checkout solutions for retailers. Grabango utilizes in-store overhead rails powered by machine-learning algorithms to detect items picked up by customers. The customers can pick up items in the store and complete their purchase by scanning a code generated in the Grabango mobile app.&nbsp;
 
 
 The technology can be deployed locally and on the cloud. Grabango is designed for stores with more than 100,000 sq ft of floor space. The company claims its solution can recognize objects at an accuracy rate of 99.9% and as of 2020 holds over 30 patents for its technology. Grabango&rsquo;s technology does not use facial recognition.&nbsp;
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 Grabango has deployed its solutions in the US in partnership with as 1) Giant Eagle supermarket to launch five stores (September 2020, expanded in 2021); 2) Circle K for six stores(November 2021); 3) bp to retrofit 10 stores, including ampm stations and Amoco locations (December 2021); 4) MAPCO to launch two stores (February 2022); and 5) Aldi for one store (
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/26268">
 February 2024
 </a>
 ). The company also has partnerships with retailers 7-Eleven to launch 10 stores in Australia (August 2023) and Copec for 100 stores across South America (December 2023).
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 Grabango raised USD 39 million in a Series B funding round in June 2021 led by Commerce Ventures to support the company&rsquo;s expansion plans.&nbsp;
 
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Grabango

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 Zippin offers computer vision-powered grab-and-go checkout solutions for retailers. Zippin uses overhead cameras and shelf sensors along with computer vision algorithms to track items picked up by customers. The customers can use Zippin&rsquo;s mobile app to enter the store, pick up their purchases, and exit the stores to complete the transaction. Zippin claims the combination of cameras and weight sensors provides a more accurate sensor fusion algorithm compared to a purely camera-based solution.&nbsp;
 
 
 Zippin does not use biometrics to identify consumers and only uses overhead cameras to map out customer movements. Zippin&rsquo;s solutions are priced based on the square footage of the stores.&nbsp;
 
 
 The company also offers the Zippin Crew app, a mobile app that can be used to scan and locate inventory in-store. It provides retailers with inventory insights, such as planogram data, stock availability data, and out-of-stock alerts. Zippin Retailer Dashboard is a store analytics solution that provides insights on real-time shopping activity, planogram compliance, out-of-stocks, and shopper behavior.&nbsp;
 
 
 In 2022, the company launched Zippin Lane, a checkout-free solution suitable for high-traffic locations like sport arenas, airports, train stations, and busy college campuses. Zippin lanes are designed to fit into long and narrow areas with store sizes starting at 240 sq ft. As of September 2022, the Zippin had deployed over 20 Zippin lanes, including nine locations at NFL venues.&nbsp;
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 As of February 2023, Zippin had deployed its technology at 90 store locations (after opening its first demo store in 2019). Zippin&rsquo;s technology powers supermarkets and convenience stores such as Lojas Americanas (August 2019) in Brazil and Azbuka Vkusa (May 2020) in Russia and sports venues in US including 1) Golden 1 Center arena (September 2019), 2) Mile High Stadium in Denver (November 2020), 3) Barclays Center (in partnership with American Express; June 2021), 4) Houston's NRG Stadium (in partnership with Aramark; March 2022); and 5) Gainbridge Fieldhouse (October 2022). In 2023, Zippin opened checkout-free stores at multiple NFL stadiums. Zippin also opened a checkout-free store in partnership with the Dallas-based restaurant and entertainment business, Dave &amp; Buster&rsquo;s (July 2022). In December 2021, the company announced the launch of its first airport store in partnership with JFKIAT, the operator of Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and SSP America, an airport foodservice operator.
 
 
 The Japan-based systems integrator Fujitsu serves as Zippin&rsquo;s exclusive distributor in Japan (December 2020). Under the partnership, Fujitsu has the authority to deploy Zippin&rsquo;s technology integrated with Fujitsu&rsquo;s biometric authentication technology. The two companies initially piloted an automated store at a Lawson convenience store chain in Japan (February 2020). In November 2022, the companies extended the partnership to support UK and Europe deployments.&nbsp;
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 In September 2021, Zippin raised USD 30 million in a Series B funding round, to invest in its expansion plan and accelerate innovation specifically with regards to deployment and maintenance.
 
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Zippin

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 A vision technology company, AWM (Adroit Worldwide Media) Smart Shelf offers an array of retail solutions. The company&rsquo;s main cashierless checkout solution is called AWM Frictionless, a collaborative solution offered in partnership with Microsoft Azure, and uses several of AWM&rsquo;s product offerings to create an enhanced shopping experience.&nbsp;
 
 
 As shoppers arrive, they launch their mobile app to check in, where the AWM Frictionless platform notes their presence. As shoppers move, cameras track them, and their identity is further validated by facial-matching software. Product selection is then tracked through AWM&rsquo;s Automated Inventory Intelligence solution, which uses a series of super-wide-angle low-light HD cameras and AWM&rsquo;s LED Fascia technology (a type of automated shelving technology). Machine learning tracks shopper purchases and makes shopping list recommendations during subsequent visits. Once shopping is done, shoppers simply exit the store and are automatically charged in their online accounts.&nbsp;
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 The company&rsquo;s partnerships go beyond the retail sector. In January 2020, AWM partnered with OptiCrib to offer friction-free inventory management in the industrial and commercial supply space. Meanwhile, AWM&rsquo;s retail partnerships include Albertsons, Aramark, Coop, Diageo, The Home Depot, Greenpicks Market, and 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/25770">
 Choice Markets
 </a>
 .
 
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AWM Smart Shelf

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 AiFi offers a grab-and-go checkout solution powered by computer vision and AI. Its solution enables a customer to enter a store using a mobile app, pick up the items required, and exit the store to complete the purchase. The solution also generates statistics and insights on customer behavior. The company claims that its technology can track up to 500 customers while also tracking tens of thousands of items in a store. It also claims a 99% accuracy rate and can be used within a space of up to 10,000 square feet, without using facial recognition technology or storing biometric data.&nbsp;
 
 
 AiFi&rsquo;s flagship platform, &ldquo;Orchestrated Autonomous Store Infrastructure &amp; Services (OASIS)&rdquo; is designed for stores ranging from 200 square feet to 10,000 square feet and allows users to select between a fully autonomous shopping experience or a hybrid model. The stores will have a turnstile, a kiosk or door locks at the entrance, which the customer can interact with to gain access to the store.&nbsp; It also can be integrated with existing payments, inventory management, and electronic shelf labeling systems. The stores operate on a subscription-based model, and the company guarantees 12 months to achieve a return on investment (ROI).
 
 
 AiFi leverages the OASIS platform to offer retail clients the option of deploying an AiFi NanoStore, a custom-designed, fully-automated, container-sized, unmanned, checkout-free store format that can be operated 24/7. The NanoStores come in sizes of 160, 300 and 370 square feet specifications. Company claims that its technology can save around USD 20 per hour of operation.&nbsp;
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 As of February 2023, AiFi&rsquo;s technology was deployed at over 100 stores globally. In January 2022, AiFi launched its largest store, a 6,000 sq ft Aldi location in London. AiFi&rsquo;s key partnerships include 1) Carrefour (November 2018) in the UAE, Zabka (February 2019), Wundermart (February 2021), PostNL (May 2021), Morrisons (July 2021), Aldi (January 2022), Compass Group (December 2021), Kende Gastro (January 2022) in Europe, Loop Neighborhood (January 2020), Choice Market (April 2021), Verizon (May 2021) in the US, and AiGo (December 2020) in China.
 
 
 AiFi also has a partnership with Microsoft (January 2023) to launch a cloud-based analytics service for cashier-less stores. In 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/9389">
 March 2022
 </a>
 AiFi partnered with Sodexo, the French campus food service operator, to bring autonomous grocery stores to campuses across the US.&nbsp;
 
 
 Funding and financials
 
 
 By 2022, AiFi reportedly had revenue growth of 5&ndash;6x YoY. In March 2022, AiFi raised USD 65 million in a Series B funding round led by Canada-based investment management firm Khaira CapitalAiFi. It planned to leverage the new funding to scale partnerships, strengthen its deployment team for faster store rollouts, and invest in product development and feature enhancement.
 
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AiFi

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 Eflyn is an Ontario-based developer of interactive digital displays, self-checkout kiosks, and vending machine solutions with operations in Canada and the US. Eflyn&rsquo;s self-checkout kiosk range includes solutions designed for the retail industry, as well as restaurant self-ordering and donation and fundraising kiosks for places of worship and non-profit organizations.&nbsp;
 
 
 Eflyn&rsquo;s self-checkout kiosks and stations for retailers enable customers to scan items using a built-in scanner and complete the purchase process using the interactive screen and an attached debit/credit card machine. Eflyn also offers shopify integrations to its kiosk solutions, enabling retailers to integrate their ecommerce operations with retail. The customers can use an Eflyn kiosk with a shopify integration to browse products in the retailer&rsquo;s ecommerce store, check in-store availability, and place an online order in the event an item is not available in store.
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 In November 2020, Eflyn Shopify Kiosks were made available to all the company&rsquo;s customers after a trial period with select retailers. Since then, Eflyn served customers across various industries, including retail, education, and foodservice, including customers such as Pet Collar Emporium, Lowe's, Toys&ldquo;R&rdquo;Us Canada, and Ryerson University.&nbsp;
 
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Eflyn

Solutions in the industry are often powered by AI, and ML

Solutions in the industry are often powered by IoT, cloud computing, AI, and ML

Companies in “automated checkout” often use IoT

Companies providing hardware and software solutions (including cameras, sensors, and AI computer vision solutions for stores) to enable customers to completely avoid the checkout process (allowing them to enter a store, pick up an item, and exit the store)

AVA Retail

Automated Stores

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