Autonomo opens its first cashierless supermarket

The start-up wants to design stores autonomously. It is headed by the former boss of Real.

Founded in 2021, the start-up Autonomo has opened its first checkout-free and probably also autonomous supermarket in Hamburg. The store has been given the name "Hoody", which is said to be based on the English word "Neigbourhood". In this supermarket, customers identify themselves at the start and then simply store. Artificial intelligence and various cameras are used to assign the purchases to the person shopping. Payment is then made automatically when the customer leaves the store. Cashiers are then no longer necessary, the start-up claims.

The company is not alone with its idea, but it is certainly not alone in its implementation. While large retail chains tend to see such store solutions as pilot projects in which customers still have to scan parts, the team led by founder Patrick Müller-Sarmiento is focusing on a complete solution that customers should ideally not even notice. The technology is not intended to completely replace people. Staff will still be available to provide advice, but no longer at the checkout.

Roland Berger consultant Patrick Müller-Sarmiento's start-up plans to open further stores throughout Germany in addition to the Hamburg store. In 2023, it even plans to go abroad. "Our aim was to create the simplest and most convincing shopping experience. And I think that's exactly what we've achieved: we've created a store that is new and innovative, but at the same time feels familiar in a special way," says Patrick Müller-Sarmiento.