The Town Centre retail district in Atlanta has a new grocery store.
Jamie and Jilea Hemmings opened a grocery store and bistro that sells over 1,000 locallysourced, healthy food products.
When their oldest child was two years old, the Hemmings' oldest child was diagnosed with autism. While researching the role that diet played in the development of autism, Jilea Hemmings and her husband started a food company to give children a healthier spin on their favorite foods.
When their family moved to Atlanta two years ago, they found themselves in a situation of finding healthy foods again, and decided to leverage their food and tech background into building a company.
Jamie Hemmings said that they thought of the idea a year ago to provide a solution for customers where they wouldn't have to wait in line or touch anything while checking out.
Market users enter their payment information when they download the app. When they are in the store, they use a code at the turnstile to create a digital cart. A combination of 30 cameras and weighted shelves can be used to track a person's shopping. When the user leaves the store, their payment method is charged and they receive a receipt on the app.
The all-day menu at the bistro is inspired by the Caribbean and New York origins. Even though the experience is easy to use, there are staff members who can assist shoppers.
People who are within three miles of the store can use the market's delivery robots that are temperature controlled. The hatch opens for the user to access their purchase after they read off their order number.
The market was in testing for two months. In other countries, where grocery stores are more popular, the likes of Amazon Go, 7-Eleven and Walmart are tapping into the idea of autonomously grocery stores. Some companies are creating cashierless technologies.
Rob Parker, president of Trilith, said that big players are still trying to perfect this, and that they have watched work on this for the last year. They are set to scale it now that they have accomplished it.
In the next six months, they will be scouting their next location in Atlanta and also looking in Florida and Texas. The foundation is working with companies like Microsoft to create programs for underserved populations.
Who is building the grocery store of the future?
All Rights Reserved © 2024
