As retail distribution goes through a dynamic transition with the growth of ecommerce and online shopping, the traditional shopping experience is facing challenging times. Retail real estate is becoming stagnated and there is an appetite for something new to re-energise this sector. Although still accounting for 85%+ of retail sales, finding a way to excite the consumer is the immediate challenge for brands and shopping malls alike. The fully functioning ‘EiraCube’ — the world’s first fully automated pop up retail unit — a transportable, automated, instant, micro retail store solely powered by robots, which marries the convenience and efficiency of online shopping with the experience, reassurance and practicality of shopping ‘in person’.
Quickly and simply assembled and stocked, EiraCube will allow shopping centres, commercial, property and mall owners to offer the very latest goods to shoppers overnight or for special events like worldwide product launches, or for seasonal shopping events such as Christmas; while start-ups, SMEs, artisans and brand and product managers will be able to easily and cheaply reach new markets, market test or launch new lines immediately or across multiple locations. EiraCube will enable simpler cross-border consumer trade, by facilitating the easy introduction and sale of goods of all kinds across the EU, regardless of location, and without the immediate need to establish a permanent foothold and staff. For consumers, EiraCube offers unparalleled convenience, practicality, access to constantly changing variety of goods from all sizes of suppliers, and a seamless online/offline experience
EiraCube is designed to be multifunctional: as well as being a pop-up retail store, it can also act as a collection point for online purchases, or as an ordering point for home delivery. For brand owners, each Cube is fully kitted out with observational sensors, cameras etc., so valuable research for insights into branding, messaging effectiveness, differing international reactions etc. can be undertaken, harvested and analysed in real time.
