The first automated Coop shop and at the same time the first shop of this type in the Czech Republic was opened about one and a half years ago in Strakonice. Today the chain operates ten of these stores, and acts as a partner in several others, while these stores are operated by the city government.

“Based on experience, it seems that automated sales systems are the ideal solution for shops in villages or small towns,” says Lukáš Němčík, development and marketing director of the chain.

Auto Coop stores currently operate in rural areas, in locations popular with tourists such as Lednice or Lipno nad Vltavou, as well as in smaller towns such as Ústí nad Orlicí. The smallest functioning automated shop measures just 23 square meters, while the largest takes the form of a classic supermarket.

Automated stores operate in hybrid mode. This means that during normal opening hours customers can shop in the traditional way, outside these hours their purchases are conditional on using a telephone application, payment card and bank identity.

According to Tomáš Dubský, deputy chairman of the Local Government Association, maintaining shops in the regions is key to ensuring quality services for residents. Despite support from the state, county and city, rural stores are still experiencing a decline. The number of small grocery stores, namely those with an area of ​​up to 400 square meters, decreased by 166 year-on-year in the Czech Republic last year to 11,829. The largest decline occurred in Central Bohemia and Northern Moravia. “Automated vending technology has proven to be crucial for the preservation of these stores,” said Dubský.

According to data from the Coop network, stores in automatic mode realize about 10 percent of sales outside standard opening hours. At the same time, the sales method saves some of the labor costs associated with longer opening hours. According to the chain, fears of an increase in the number of thefts or cases of vandalism have not come true.