HKIA enhances consumers' shopping experience with first autonomous convenience store

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has unveiled its latest autonomous convenience store “Travelwell” in partnership with Lagardère Travel Retail. This new retail concept features innovative technology which enables passengers to experience shopping experience with instant grab-and-go purchases, saving significant time without the need to stop at a traditional cashier-led checkout.

This comes as digitalisation of the retail sector is getting more common globally, leading to the emergence of autonomous stores used by brands across the globe. According to Trigo, the total number of autonomous stores in the world nearly tripled in the second half of 2021 during the pandemic, proving that the trend of autonomous stores is on the rise. 

Breaking new ground in travel retail, the new autonomous store at HKIA is strategically located at the entrance of the Sky Bridge near gate 24. Covering an impressive 80 square metres, “travelwell” offers a comprehensive selection of packaged food, beverages, souvenirs, and travel essentials. With its unique “grab-and-go" shopping experience, “travelwell” redefines how travellers shop at airports, cementing HKIA’s position as a travel retail innovator.

Leveraging innovative IoT sensing technology, the store tracks customers’ movements and shopping patterns, automatically detecting the items they select and eliminating the need for checkout queues. Customers can simply enter the store by tapping a credit card at the entrance. After selecting their desired products, they can simply exit the store with the items selected, their credit cards will then be automatically debited.

Alby Tsang, head of retail and advertising of Airport Authority Hong Kong said that the store created a buzz with its seamless shopping experience for travellers on the go. “As a smart airport, we have always been committed to using the latest innovations and technologies to elevate the passenger experience. The launch of 'travelwell' demonstrates this commitment. By using breakthrough technologies, we provide passengers with a one-stop shop for pre-flight necessities and last-minute shopping. It’s just one more way that HKIA is staying at the forefront of travel retail innovation to redefine airport shopping experiences,” she added.

Commenting on the partnership, Séverine Lanthier, Asia chief operating officer and group chief strategy and development officer at Lagardère Travel Retail said, “We are grateful to have benefitted from the support of the Airport Authority Hong Kong and of business partners to pioneer this technology-led, innovative new store. Our 'travelwell' store and the beautiful Sky Bridge are a natural fit to each other. I hope the new shopping experience will appeal to travelers and become a memorable part of their journey. This project represents a key milestone in our ambitious roadmap to innovate to elevate the traveler shopping experience.” 

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