Valora plans to open its first cash register-free store in spring 2019 at Wetzikon station. Technology is the key: entry, purchase and payment are via a customised app. The SBB submitted the planning application for the new Valora avec box format to the city of Wetzikon.
avec box in Wetzikon will remain open for as long as it is authorised under the law or by the lessor (the SBB in this instance) – ideally 24/7. It has a sales area of about 53 square metres. It will offer a convenience range with a lot of food and fresh products – similar to the new-look avec stores launched since mid-July 2018 in Bern, Landquart, Zurich, Wettingen, Saanen-Gstaad, and Interlaken.
The avec box in Wetzikon differs in the sense that it is technology-based: access to the store will be exclusively via the app. Payment is also via the app. The staff will be there during rush hour in the morning and evening to support customers with their shopping, stack the shelves and keep the premises in order.
“With avec box, Valora is responding to public demand for flexible shopping”, says Roger Vogt, CEO of Retail Switzerland at Valora. “Convenience at avec box is not restricted to the product range, but also extends to a practical and fast shopping experience.”
The planning application was submitted to the city of Wetzikon. The aim is for the Wetzikon station avec box to open its doors in spring 2019. As this is an entirely new retail concept in Switzerland, initial experiences will have to be gathered. Although a rollout in other parts of the country is envisaged, it is still too early to make specific statements in this regard.
Future Store for April 2019
Valora plans to open the Future Store, as previously announced, in Zurich main station in April 2019. It will be called avec X and will serve mainly as an experimental venue for Valora to test its new digital applications for shopping, including payment and personalised shopping. The rollout of avec X is not envisaged for other regions.
Valora will release specific details on the design of avec box and avec X in due course.
Further information and registration at box.avec.ch.
This media release is available online at www.valora.com/newsroom.
