Technology
Mars partners with tech startup Standard Cognition to develop autonomous checkouts
The new world of autonomous checkouts will integrate Standard’s seamless technology to drive impulse category sales, particularly at the end of the trip when shoppers traditionally seek products to ‘Reward, Recharge and Remind’ – much of which traditionally took place while waiting in line for a cashier.
Mars said it initially reached out to Standard, one of the first startups in the autonomous checkout space and the first to open a cashierless store in San Francisco, suggesting the two companies work together to better understand what impact autonomous checkouts would have on shoppers’ experience.
Shopper satisfaction
The two companies collaborated to bring retailers new recommendations on how to design stores that balance operational efficiency, shopper satisfaction and financial optimization.
“Standard had been thinking about that issue, too, so the Mars inquiry was very timely,” said Michael Suswal, co-founder and COO of Standard Cognition. “We leapt at the chance to work with Mars - a category captain with 100+ years of insights, research and innovation - to help retailers address this challenge.”
Respective capabilities
During the initial phase of the partnership, Standard and Mars will educate each other on their respective capabilities across technology, shopper journey insights and the intersections of operational efficiencies and merchandizing excellence for impulse in a cashierless world.
The companies intend working together to create ‘convenient and positive experiences for shoppers in a way that will meet retailers’ holistic objectives'.
“Mars selected Standard as its partner because it’s clear to us that they bring advanced technology in autonomous checkout, offer a great value proposition to retailers and share with us a mutual passion and vision for this space,” said Vincent Hummel, global category leadership director - New Transaction Points at Mars Wrigley. “We’re excited to work with Standard and our retailers around the world to define the future of autonomous checkout.”
