Cloudpick’s AI vision enables a frictionless grab‑and‑go store – employees scan, grab lunch items, and walk out in seconds.
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Customer Requirements
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Cloudpick Solution
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Result
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Customer Testimonial
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Video
Ahold Delhaize USA Pilots “Lunchbox” Checkout‑Free Store with Cloudpick
Customer Requirements
Ahold Delhaize USA, one of the largest grocery retail groups in the United States, operates well‑known brands including Stop & Shop, Food Lion, Giant, and Hannaford. The company continuously explores innovative technologies to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.
At its Retail Business Services (RBS) office in Quincy, Massachusetts, employees face a common workplace challenge: busy schedules make it difficult to step away for a proper lunch break. Traditional vending machines offer convenience but lack fresh, quality food options. On‑site cafeterias may have limited hours or long queues.
Ahold Delhaize recognized an opportunity to test a checkout‑free, frictionless store concept that could serve employees quickly and efficiently – while also validating a model that could eventually scale across its retail network.
Cloudpick Solution
Ahold Delhaize partnered with Cloudpick to launch “Project Lunchbox” – a checkout‑free convenience store located inside the RBS office. The store is designed to provide employees with fresh, quality food that vending machines cannot offer, combined with the speed and convenience of autonomous retail.
How it works:
Entry: Employees simply scan a QR code to enter the store.
Shopping: AI‑powered cameras and smart sensors track every item picked up or put back.
Exit: Customers walk out when finished. The system automatically identifies all items, generates the order, and processes payment instantly.
The store can accommodate numerous shoppers within a small area simultaneously, accurately charging each customer for their specific items – even when multiple people are shopping at the same time.
Behind the technology: Cloudpick’s solution combines computer vision, deep learning, and multi‑sensor fusion to deliver reliable, high‑accuracy tracking. As Ken Bullock, Head of IT Innovation at Retail Business Services, explains: “We’ve seen the best combination of technologies available. We’ve used IT teams internally, our innovation labs, as well as partners including UST Global.”
Result
Project Lunchbox has quickly become a workplace favorite. Employees appreciate the ability to grab quality food and drinks in seconds – without waiting in line or sacrificing precious break time.
Employee feedback speaks volumes:
"I use Lunchbox every day. I come down and get soda water, a pack of gum, or any other convenience item. This is absolutely a lifesaver."
"I'm always struggling to get food into me during the day, and I'm able to do that here pretty quickly. It's great."
"A busy day – you just come in and out, and you're done."
Key outcomes:
Fast and convenient: Employees can complete their purchase in seconds and return to work.
Fresh quality food: Unlike vending machines, Lunchbox offers fresh lunch options that employees genuinely enjoy.
Scalable proof of concept: As Ken Bullock notes, “This is really cutting edge, and you're gonna see this more and more.”
For Ahold Delhaize, Project Lunchbox serves as a testbed for frictionless retail technology – validating a model that could be deployed across its retail brands, office campuses, and other workplace environments.
Customer Testimonial
Ken Bullock, Head of IT Innovation at Retail Business Services (Ahold Delhaize USA), said:
“This is our future – a frictionless shop. We've termed this project ‘Project Lunchbox.’ You simply scan your way to enter the store, grab your items, and walk out. We can have numerous shoppers within a small area shopping the store and walking out, still expecting to be charged accurately for their orders.”
Video
To see the Ahold Lunchbox in action, watch the video below:
YouTube:
