First cashierless store in Iceland opens with LS Retail technology

Nær, the first retail chain of cashierless stores in Iceland, has opened its first location. Nær uses LS Retail technology to operate store locations that are completely automated, with no employees on site.

The rise of autonomous stores

Since Amazon announced the first cashierless store, Amazon Go, in December 2016, fully automated retail locations that function without staff have been sweeping the retail industry. These highly technological stores typically require customers to download a mobile app, which is used to identify them and also functions as a point of sale (POS) in the shoppers’ hands. Customers can scan items using the app on their smartphones and pay when they exit. The goal is to make the experience fast and convenient: shoppers don’t need to wait in line, and the store can do away with cash registers and cashiers.

Nær’s chain of convenience stores will be open 24/7, offering a convenient and quick shopping option for residents of some of the most highly populated neighborhoods in the Icelandic capital area. To shop at the Nær stores, customers will need to first download the Nær app onto their smartphone. The app will be linked to their personal identity number and require the national digital identification to log in. The app generates a QR code that is unique to each customer and shopping trip, and which allows customers to enter the store, scan items, and pay.

"Iceland has never seen anything like Nær," says Thordur Reynisson, CEO of Nær. "We are a nation that loves technology and innovation, so I expect people will be very excited about our fully automated stores.”

Bringing the POS in the customers’ hands with LS Retail ScanPayGo

The Nær app uses the innovative LS Retail ScanPayGo. ScanPayGo is a mobile app that brings the Point of Sale (POS) terminal directly to the customer's smartphone. Besides scanning items and paying inside the store, customers can also use ScanPayGo to create shopping lists, view offers and promotions, and collect and spend loyalty points.

"This is a one-of-a-kind project in the Icelandic market," says Dadi Karason, Chief Technology Officer at LS Retail. “The idea behind Nær, using automations to bring 24/7 shopping options outside the city center, fits perfectly with the concept of ScanPayGo – I’m looking forward to the next steps.” Thordur agrees. “ScanPayGo is a fantastic app, and exactly what we needed to bring this project to life. I’m excited of the collaboration with LS Retail, an innovative software company that is known globally for its retail solutions.”