The employees of Auchan are currently testing a store with no staff. In a container measuring 194 square feet, which just landed on the parking lot of the Auchan headquarters, in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, the offer focuses on 400 small everyday items. To go in and out, the staff need to use their badge, which also serves as a means of payment.
At Carrefour, a similar tool is being developed.
Franprix is also testing the autonomous store, open 24 hours a day, with automatic cash registers. Only one night guard is needed.
These facilities are laboratories to test new distribution models and sell at any hour of day or night, and ideally with the fewest staff possible. This raises questions about the future of this sector which is a major job provider.
In China, Auchan already uses 325 containers in its joint venture with Alibaba.
Source: lefigaro.fr