On Tuesday (6 February), Lekkerland opened a new fully automated shop under the REWE ready brand at the EnBW fast-charging park in Lichtenau near Chemnitz (Saxony). Charging park customers, commuters and local residents can stock up on coffee, cool drinks, snacks such as sandwiches and salads as well as other products around the clock. A total of almost 200 items are available. Lekkerland has opened a fully automated shop under the REWE ready brand at the EnBW fast-charging park in Lichtenau near Chemnitz (Saxony).

"Lichtenau is the first location to go live with our 'Smart Shop' concept, which is equipped with AI-supported smart fridges and smart vending," explains Mehmet Tözge, Director Smart Store Development, who is responsible for the development.

"Smart Shop" is the third smart store concept that Lekkerland is introducing at a public or semi-public location. The "Smart Kiosk" self-checkout solution is already in use in hospitals; Lekkerland has implemented the "Smart Automat" concept, which utilises robotics technology, in two charging parks. Lekkerland's portfolio of smart store solutions, which is unique in Germany, comprises a total of five concepts.

Cashless payment methods are a prerequisite for smart shopping. Cameras and weight sensors record purchases
With "Smart Shop", the desired refrigerator opens after customers have scanned a cashless means of payment, such as a credit card. Customers remove the desired products and close the door again. Weight sensors and cameras record which products have been removed - the previously scanned means of payment is then automatically debited with the corresponding amount. The technology for the shop comes from the Portuguese software company Reckon.ai and is used exclusively by Lekkerland in Germany as part of a partnership.

The shop container in Lichtenau houses a total of three smart fridges. There is also a coffee machine and an alcohol and tobacco vending machine, where customers have to prove their age by scanning their ID card or driving licence before they receive the desired items.

Charging park sets standards
"We have our customers' needs in mind and are continuously developing the charging experience at our locations. On-site shopping facilities such as Lekkerland also play an important role in this," says Volker Rimpler, Vice President Construction & Rollout E-Mobility at EnBW. The EnBW fast-charging park in Lichtenau was opened shortly before Christmas and offers 24 HPC charging points with up to 400 kilowatts of charging power. The new location sets standards in terms of Sustainability and additional services for a comfortable stay. In addition to the REWE ready shop, the latter include toilets, seating and a playground. In addition, the modern wooden roof is equipped with solar panels. The electricity generated flows directly into the charging park's circuit. The charging park has been online since the end of last year.

"We are delighted to be opening another highly attractive location for charging park customers together with our partner EnBW. We also want to optimally serve the needs of consumers there, because it is important to provide the right solution for the respective location," explains Michael Mayer-Sonnenburg, Director Franchise & Convenience Stores and responsible for the sales department of Lekkerland's smart store solutions.

Second joint location
Lichtenau is the second pilot location at which EnBW and Lekkerland are working together. In autumn 2022, the two companies opened the first fully automated shop under the REWE ready brand at the EnBW fast-charging park in Bispingen (Lower Saxony). Further locations are to follow. The REWE ready brand is also represented at the Ionity charging park in Rostock.