Staffless stores

Wheelys 247 will remain open continuously throughout the year, selling basic items such as chocolate, cigarettes and crisps. To enter the store, consumers first have to download and register with the Wheelys app, which is then used to scan purchases.

In conjunction with surveillance cameras fitted around the store, the app helps to deter shoplifters by ensuring that each in-store customer is identified. This connected retail environment taps into the consumer desire for convenience shopping as well as incurring minimal running costs for the brand.

‘The web, automatic deliveries and staffless stores will redraw the retailing landscape over the next 10 years,’ says Robert Ilijason, head developer of the Wheelys store. ‘Wheelys will be the enabler that lets anyone open their own staffless 24/7 store.’