Qatar’s First Cashierless Checkout from Commercial Bank
10 September 2023
Doha, Qatar – September 10th, 2023
Powered by Commercial Bank's payment acceptance solution, Lulu MEA opened Qatar's first and the region's second check-out free store - the Lulu Express at Hamad International Airport Metro Station. Commercial Bank, in its pursuit of digital innovation, is again leading the way in reshaping payment acceptance in Qatar by providing a shopping experience that is seamless and frictionless for shoppers. The new convenience store provides fast, secure, and contactless check-out experience for customers.
What makes this store unique is being the first of its kind, where Lulu Express store has no check-out counters. A customer can enter the store using his or her Credit Card, and then walk-out after finishing his shopping without any interaction with cashiers or self-checkout counters. Every item picked by the customer at the store is automatically added to the customer's digital shopping cart, and the purchase is completed when the customer leaves the store. There will be no queues, no cashier, and no waiting time at the counter to check-out either.
Commenting on the launch, Joseph Abraham, Group CEO of Commercial Bank said: “The opening of Qatar's first cashier less store, which is powered by Commercial Bank's acceptance solution, is a testament of the Bank's commitment to digital innovation to bring the best in class payment technology that meet the needs of merchants and customers alike. We are delighted to cooperate with Lulu Express to introduce the first of its kind payment acceptance solution in Qatar, which not only makes shopping a fast and convenient experience for the customers, but also reshapes the payment solutions in the country. We are committed to providing customers in Qatar with the world's latest innovations in digital experiences".
Reflecting on the opening, Dr. Mohamed Althaf, Director of Lulu Group International said: “The technology leadership taken by Commercial Bank has made the implementation fast, and they are always in the forefront when it comes to adoption of the latest fin-tech".
“The synergy between Lulu Group, and Commercial Bank for digital transformation and knowledge-based economy are in the spirit of Qatar National Vison 2030", he added.
The Lulu cashier-less experience is similar to convenience store concepts in the US. Lulu Express is equipped with multiple cameras mounted in the ceiling and are powered by a combination of computer vision and machine learning to follow the shopper's movement inside the store. These cameras use accurate tracking technology to identify shoppers through their body structure, and they do not record any facial recognition or biometric data. Although cashier-less, the store will have staff who will help customers find items on the shelves, restock and perform other operational activities, in addition to answering queries addressing concerns if any.
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