New shopping: The Grab & Go concept (Just Walk Out Shops / Walk-In Store / Pick & Go Shop)

The Grab & Go concept, also known as “grab-and-go,” has its roots in developing quick and convenient food solutions for people on the go. Here is a brief history of the concept:

🪙 Slot machines of the past

The concept is somewhat similar to the earlier slot machines that were popular in the United States and other countries in the early 20th centuries. Customers could insert coins into machines and then pick up a prepared meal or snack, similar to today's Grab & Go, although less diverse and modern.

🍴 Cafeteria-like facilities

A forerunner of the Grab & Go was the so-called “Automat”, which was designed like a cafeteria-restaurant. Customers could insert their coins and then help themselves to a buffet of prepared food before taking their selections to go.

☕🥐 Modern developments

Over the past few decades, the Grab & Go concept has evolved and become a popular option in cafes, bakeries, grocery stores and even airports and train stations. It offers convenient, pre-prepared and packaged meals and snacks for people who don't have time for a traditional meal or are on the go.

🌍 Practical solution, modern lifestyle

The Grab & Go concept has become a convenient solution for modern lifestyles, offering a wide range of options for people in need of a quick meal.

Suitable for:

• Autonomous Retail Systems – Autonomous systems for large supermarkets and retail (Smart & Walk-In Stores)

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Smart Stores 24/7 – Autonomous Systems for Retail (ARS) – Image: Xpert.Digital

A “Walk In Shop” generally simply refers to a physical retail store that customers can walk into to purchase products. This is the traditional retail approach where customers physically select their purchases and in the context of the Smart Store, payment is made via a smartphone app after the pick & scan process. The cashier or going to the checkout is therefore no longer necessary.

More about it here:

• From Walk In to Just Walk Out: How Technology Is Changing Retail

🌍 The “Grab & Go” concept, i.e. the principle of fast self-service, has its origins in the increasing acceleration of lifestyles, especially in urban centers. It developed in response to the growing demand for quick, convenient and often healthy food for people on the go. This concept has been picked up and adapted by various fast food chains and convenience stores in various countries around the world.

🔍 In a specific sense, it is difficult to say where exactly the “Grab & Go” concept began, as many cultures and countries have developed forms of fast food independently. However, one could locate the emergence of the modern concept in the postwar United States, where suburban expansion, the increase in the number of professionals, and the development of car culture led to a rise in demand for fast food options.

🍱 In the 1980s and 1990s, the concept then spread internationally and was further developed to accommodate different cultural preferences and dietary habits. Over time, more sustainable and healthier options have also been integrated into the Grab & Go offering to appeal to a broader customer base.

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Smart Shops 365 & 24/7: Autonomous business concepts and vending machines – Image: Xpert.Digital

The introduction of Smart Stores 24/7 in Germany began in 2020 and has experienced rapid development since then. These innovative business concepts have revolutionized the traditional shopping experience and offer customers a completely new way of shopping. With their fully automated operation and ability to be accessible 24/7, Smart Stores have created high consumer appeal.

More about it here:

• The development of Smart Store 24/7 in Germany

The Grab & Go concept cannot be traced back to a specific source or country. Rather, it developed in response to the growing demand for convenience and speed in food consumption. The origins of the concept can be seen in different forms and in different cultures around the world where quick and convenient food solutions were needed.

🌍 Influencing factors

Some factors that contributed to the emergence and popularization of the Grab & Go concept could be:

urbanization

With the increase in population in urban areas and the fast-paced lifestyle, the need for quick food options arose.

Acceleration of everyday life

The modern, hectic lifestyle, where people have less time for traditional meals, has led to the demand for quick yet quality food.

Increase in professional activity

In particular, the increasing number of working people traveling or eating in the office has led to a demand for convenient meals that can be easily transported and consumed quickly.

Convenience culture

Of course, in countries like the US, where convenience stores have a long history, the concept has evolved to meet the demand for readily available food.

Innovation in packaging

Advances in packaging technology have made it easier to keep food fresh while making it suitable for on-the-go consumption.

Health and environmental awareness

While Grab & Go may not have initially focused on healthy options, the concept has adapted to the growing demand for healthier, more sustainable food.

🛒 Distribution locations

So the concept did not spread linearly from one point in the world, but rather developed in response to global changes in society. Nowadays, Grab & Go products can be found not only in specialized shops or convenience stores, but also in supermarkets, gas stations, airports and even in the form of vending machines in public facilities.

🚀 Technological progress

With the introduction of self-service checkouts and later smart technologies such as RFID chips and mobile payment systems, Grab & Go offers became even more accessible and faster for consumers.

👥 The social element

In an increasingly connected world in which social media plays a major role, food is often seen as a social statement. Quick and convenient meals that are also visually appealing fulfill the desire to participate in trends and share one's own lifestyle.

🌮 Cultural influences

Cultural influences have also contributed to the diversification of the range of Grab & Go products. In addition to classic sandwiches, you can also find sushi boxes or burrito-like wraps that represent different ethnic cuisines.

🚀 Future prospects

The Grab & Go concept thus reflects the dynamics of modern society, in which flexibility, time savings and individual needs play a central role. It is expected that the concept will continue to evolve and adapt to new challenges, whether by introducing innovative products, improving sustainability or applying new technologies to further optimize the customer experience.

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🛍️🚶‍♂️ The Grab & Go concept has evolved over time and been picked up and adapted by various retailers and companies, including Amazon, to meet the needs of people on the go. It is an example of advancing digitalization and automation in retail to make the shopping experience more convenient.

1. Early precursors

The concept is similar to the early vending machines and cafeteria-like facilities that existed as early as the early 20th century. Customers could insert coins into machines and select prepared foods or snacks, similar to today's Grab & Go, albeit in a simpler form.

2. Amazon Go

Amazon introduced the cashierless supermarket concept, known as “Amazon Go,” in 2016. The first Amazon Go store opened in Seattle. This innovative concept allows customers to take products off the shelves and leave the store without having to wait in line at the checkout.

The term “convenience culture” describes a lifestyle that emphasizes convenience and speed. This trend has its origins in the increasingly hectic and time-optimized lifestyles of many people, especially in urban areas. The term “convenience” comes from English and means something like convenience or comfort.

🍔 Everyday aspects of convenience

In everyday life, convenience culture is expressed through various aspects:

Food and Drink

Ready-made meals, quick-service restaurants and delivery services are gaining popularity because they save time and are easily accessible.

technology

Apps that simplify everyday life, such as online banking, shopping apps or ticket machines.

Services

Offering services aimed at saving time, such as dry cleaning services, 24-hour laundromats or quick car washes.

🏪 Convenience stores

Convenience stores are small retail stores that offer a wide range of everyday essentials such as groceries, magazines, tobacco products and often fast food. They usually have longer opening hours than normal supermarkets, some are even open around the clock. Convenience stores are designed so that customers can shop quickly and easily. They are often located in central locations or at gas stations in order to be as easily accessible as possible for customers.

💸 Price and meaning

In convenience stores you often pay a slightly higher price compared to supermarkets, which is justified by the convenience of quick shopping and the longer opening hours. These stores play an important role in convenience culture because they fulfill the desire for immediate satisfaction of needs.

🇰🇷🛍️ Example: Well-known convenience stores in South Korea 🏬🌆

7-Eleven

The internationally operating convenience store chain 7-Eleven from Japan is represented on the market in South Korea with over 7,000 locations.

Mini stop

Ministop is a Japanese convenience store (franchise) chain founded in 1980. In contrast to other chains of this type, Ministop offers an integrated kitchen in which sandwiches and snacks are prepared. Guests have the opportunity to eat on site. Ministop opened its first branch in South Korea in 1990. Today the company has 1,601 branches across the country.

🌆 Smart Cities 🏙️ – The solution for mega-urbanization? 🌍🔍

The size of cities around the world is constantly increasing, fueled by the many millions of people who flow from the countryside into urban centers every year. But increasing urbanization is leading to growing demands on governments, companies and city administrations to manage the growing demand for goods and infrastructure in the centers. One solution is smart cities, which are paved by increasing global digitalization, automation and networking. But what are the trends and drivers of intelligent cities? Asia and especially Japan show where the future could lead in Europe.

More about it here:

• Urbanization in South Korea
• Urban growth – How Japan is setting the course for the future
• Smart Cities – The solution for mega-urbanization?

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