Epta Supplies R290 Refrigeration Cabinets for Dubai’s First Cashierless Store

Italian OEM Epta has supplied propane (R290) refrigeration cabinets and control systems for the first cashierless store in Dubai.

The equipment, designed by Epta for the 100m2 (1,076ft2) store, includes a customized version of the company’s Costan-branded vertical cabinets and a remote monitoring system.

Epta bills the Costan R290 cabinets as “compact and reliable.” They “fit perfectly into this small-sized environment, ensuring constant performance over time and maximum product visibility,” the company said in a statement.

Epta has also supplied a “state of the art” monitoring system that allows the cabinets to be remotely checked to verify parameters in real time, to receive and manage alarms and to manage errors. “Compared to past systems, a much higher amount of data can be transferred to the Epta Telemonitoring Centre for enhanced and increasingly efficient monitoring 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,” the company stated. 

“Advanced stores require solutions capable of guaranteeing constant performance – an example is the counters of our brands that can be equipped with a new latest generation monitoring system capable of responding perfectly to the needs of AI-powered stores,” said Matteo Dipentina, General Manager of Epta Middle East.

“Epta specializes in turn-key projects developed together with the customer from the earliest stages,” said Andrea Cavalet, Contracting & After Sales Director of Epta Middle East. “In addition to the great logistical and project management capabilities, Epta was able to create a tailor-made solution perfectly suited to such a technologically advanced environment.” 

Cashierless shopping 

The new cashierless store in Dubai works with a smartphone app. Shoppers download the app, register their credit card and scan the app’s QR code when entering the store.

“Video cameras equipped with computer vision and machine learning detect the customer’s movements and keep track of purchases or the type and number of items chosen,” Epta explained. “Upon exit, the account is automatically charged to the card registered on the app, eliminating the passage to a cashier. All in full compliance with social distancing.” 

“The world of retail is evolving and digital transformation will be the engine of change,” Dipentina said. “Customers are increasingly demanding, and they are asking for a fast, pleasant and safe shopping experience.” 

“Innovation will support retailers in this paradigm shift: Among the different technologies available, those that stand out are artificial intelligence and Scan & Go devices to simplify in-store shopping and guarantee social distancing,” he added.

Countries like the U.S., France, Sweden, China, Japan and South Korea have increased focus on the unmanned stores, according to Epta.

Cashierless stores may also be on the small side, like the Dubai store, making them suited for R290 plug-in cases that don’t require a separate room for refrigeration equipment.

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