The Shufersal chain began several months ago with the deployment of the Israeli start-up solution Shopic, which has developed technology that is supposed to change the shopping experience of its customers. Shufersal will gradually implement Shopic’s smart trolley solution that detects any product coming in and out of the trolley using cameras without the need to scan the products and also allows guides to guide buyers during the purchase, recommend products according to shopping habits, help them navigate the store according to the shopping list. Skip the queue and checkout.
Shopic’s venture, which is currently underway at several of the world’s leading retail chains, is based on a modular unit that can be mounted on any standard shopping cart. Buyers will be able to take the unit as they enter the store, assemble it on the cart with one click and make their purchase just as they did in the past, with two cameras on top of the facility automatically detecting products placed in or out of the cart. A large touch screen will communicate with buyers, guide them and recommend promotions and discounts to them. At the end of the purchase, the cart will sum up the bill. In the first phase of the deployment, buyers will pay at designated checkouts without a queue, but will soon be able to pay straight from the cart.
Unlike competing technologies, Shopic’s solution does not require a change in the store’s physical infrastructure, does not require a massive investment in new and expensive carts and allows the system to be deployed in any store within a few days. This is one of the only solutions available today for smart shopping that is suitable for large supermarkets and hypermarkets. Shopic’s smart unit is equipped with an artificial intelligence chip and an image recognition system that is able to learn to recognize new products while in use.
Zvika Fishheimer, VP of Human Resources and Strategy, Shufersal: “We are designating the solution for our 200 large branches. The solution will be gradually implemented from the beginning of 2022.” We are bringing all the benefits of online shopping to our physical stores. Shopping will be more personal. “Aimed with relevant recommendations for each customer, while avoiding the least favorite part of the customers – queuing at the checkout. Shopic has developed a solution with us that meets all these needs.”
Raz Golan, CEO of Shopic: “One of the most important things in developing technologies for the retail market is a deep understanding of the area, of the operational challenges and unique needs in stores. Therefore, cooperation with Shufersal is critical for us. Shufersal is not only the largest retail chain in Israel. “Also the leader in innovation in the industry. Thanks to the daring and openness of the chain, we will be able to take the Israeli buyer to the next generation of the shopping experience.”
Shufersal participated in the last round of investment in Shopic, which was established in 2016 by Raz Golan and Eran Kravitz. The company’s offices are located in Tel Aviv and it employs dozens of people. In addition to Shufersal, the IBI Tech Fund, Entrée Capital and Claridge Israel also invested in the company.