20 STORE PROFILE
Compass Group Ireland’s sales and retention director Ciara Murray caught up with Julia O’Reilly to discuss developing Ireland’s first fully ‘frictionless’ store
The future is frictionless A
landmark moment for the Irish retail industry, Ireland’s first fully ‘frictionless’ store, Market x Flutter, opened at Flutter Entertainment’s global HQ in Clonskeagh, Dublin 4 last month. Operated by Compass Group Ireland, the store is like any other in many ways. It stocks fresh meals including a selection of hot and chilled dishes to-go, as well as drinks and confectionery. Staff are on hand to assist with customer queries and stock shelves. Its doors are open between 8am and 6pm. What’s new, however, is that Market x Flutter is fully frictionless, meaning customers don’t have to stop at checkouts, scan items, or join queues to pay for their items. In this cutting-edge new store, customers ‘check-in’ using their phones and proceed to shop as normal. When they would typically start towards the till, they can instead head out the door with their desired products in tow. They are automatically charged for their products, and a receipt is delivered to their phone moments later. Behind this seamless shopping experience are dozens of cameras that use the latest artificial intelligence (AI) powered computer vision technology from AiFi that monitor every product chosen by shoppers.
Those with privacy concerns might be relieved to learn that there is no facial recognition or biometric technology at work. Individuals are identified as stick-figures and shoppers remain anonymous.
Fresh approach Not only is the store a first in Ireland, but it’s a first for the team at Compass Group Ireland too. When ShelfLife caught up with the food service company’s sales and retention director Ciara Murray just weeks after the store’s opening, she couldn’t hide her excitement about the new endeavour. “From start to finish the whole process has been amazing,” says Murray. “That we’re the first to bring this model to the island of Ireland makes it all the more so. Obviously, we’re not a retailer, we’re a food service company. This is new for us, but it also really aligns with what we do best. “I think it’s been surprising to retailers that a food service company has been leading the charge on this, and we’re so proud of what we’ve put together with Flutter Entertainment and AiFi. Flutter knew they were taking a risk with the project, but they loved the idea, they were passionate about it and wanted to see it through.”
Compass Group Ireland works with 180 Irish food producers and spends €35 million on Irish food each year
ShelfLife March 2022 | www.shelflife.ie
Employee’s market “It is an employee’s market at the moment,” continues Murray. “They’re looking to find the best offers they can get. But it’s not just about the monetary value of the salary, it’s about what else the employer provides.” That’s where Compass Group comes into the mix. The company offers flexible food service solutions, to enhance employers’ offerings to staff. “Nowadays, companies realise that looking after the health of their team is important. It’s not enough to have a vending machine stocked with crisps and chocolate. You need to provide healthy, nutritious food. That tells employees that you appreciate them and are looking after their health.”
Copper Pan Kitchen Still, not every business has the space, infrastructure or budget for an in-house catering solution. Compass Group’s Copper Pan Kitchen virtual kitchen facility was designed to give employers a flexible and scalable way to feed their teams on-site or remotely. The team at Copper Pan Kitchen carefully produce individual meals in its boutique kitchen in Kingswood, Dublin and deliver them direct to site. “We are really particular in terms of the
Instead of standing in a queue during their lunch hour or coffee break, Ciara Murray says the new Market x Flutter concept is “our solution that gives people back that time”
