News

Kroger automated c-store hits college campus

January 12, 2012

A new robotic c-store, owned by Kroger, is running 24 hours a day at Ohio Northern University, according to a story in Vending Market Watch.

Shop24 Global, a self-contained, refrigerated and robotic convenience store, dispenses a variety of items such as snacks, cleaning supplies, medicine and even full meals. The more than nine-foot-tall machine offers up to 200 traditional convenience store items ranging in weight from less than 1 ounce to 8 pounds.

The kiosk-based store accepts different methods of payment including cash, credit cards, debit cards and supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) cards 24 hours a day, as well as many student meal cards.

Experts say there is a huge market for this type of ultra-convenience store and it is the wave of the future for the convenience store shopping experience.

Read more about kiosks and self-service.