With a current count of 66 outlets, the significance of Smart Stores remains relatively low compared to over 60,000 “traditional” grocery outlets in Germany. However, experts believe that the potential is high.

This is especially notable considering current issues such as labor shortages, increased cost pressures, and a decline in local services in rural areas.*

What is the potential of Smart Stores? Do shoppers prefer “Walk-In Stores,” where customers can enter the Smart Store like a regular grocery store, or so-called “Automated Boxes” or vending machine stores? Do automated shopping concepts reflect new shopper behavior? Do they meet the needs of the mass market or are Smart Stores more suited for the tech-savvy Generation Z?

The mafowerk Trend Evaluation 2024 “Shopper Insights 24/7 Smart Stores” currently reveals:
The attitudes and potential of shoppers towards automated shopping. We evaluate the potentials and identify the target groups for Smart Stores, as well as which demographics are positively or negatively inclined towards shopping in such stores.

We examine the sustainability of trends. Knowledge that is beneficial – for your decisions.

Nuremberg/Fürth, March 2024

* Source: Lebensmittelrundschau, July 2023

Image: © shutterstock / Zigres