Aliso Viejo, California-based UST, a digital transformation solutions company, has partnered with Fayetteville, Georgia-based Nourish + Bloom Market to launch its first frictionless grocery store in the United States.
UST has provided an end-to-end solution and project management services for implementing a hybrid frictionless check-out store, enabling Nourish + Bloom Market to drive their store operations at ease in the long run.
The new store is the result of the collaboration of three advanced technology companies, Hitachi Vantara, SHEKEL Brainweigh and UST, which have partnered to create an innovative and advanced system for the retail world. The partnership with UST will allow Nourish + Bloom Market to deploy over 500 stores in the U.S.
Commenting on the launch and partnership, Jilea Hemmings, founder and CEO of Nourish + Bloom Market, said, “The idea of the store occurred to us during the pandemic. We wanted to provide a solution for customers where they wouldn’t have to wait in line or touch anything while checking out. With UST’s help, we have successfully created a hybrid autonomous technology to offer that solution and combat food insecurities in underserved communities. We are confident that this technology will change how customers shop in the next three to five years.”
Nourish + Bloom Market’s first store is open, located at 300 Trilith Parkway in Fayetteville, Georgia. The store is approximately 1,500 square feet and stocks more than 1,500 SKUs. The market offers items such as produce, meats, baked goods, dairy and prepared meals, alongside everyday grocery items with no checkout. The highest priority is given to local brands to reduce the carbon footprint.
“UST Frictionless Solutions’ hybrid autonomous store will help N&B scale faster, cheaper and better and provide significant ROI necessary for further expansion. We are proud to partner with N&B in its endeavor to become the most loved emerging retailer in North America,” said Keith Pickens, general manager and retail domain leader for UST.
For more than 22 years, UST has worked side by side with companies to make a real impact through transformation.
For more information, visit ust.com.
