In partnership with Cardlink, Novidea & Transaction Systems, the cashless store’s vending machines come equipped with PAX Technology’s IM30 Unattended POS terminals
The Challenge
The i-mall Micro Market company created in Athens Greece is the first retail store in the country that operates fully autonomously, 24/7/365. Orders are placed interactively within the store via a touch screen or mobile app, using state-of-the-art vending machine technology.
The absence of in-store staff generated the need for the installation of a payment system which would enable cashless transactions to be carried out easily, quickly and completely securely, both for the business and consumers.
The solution
The solution that was designed by Cardlink, our customer in Greece, is one that meets the needs of the innovative i-mall Micro Market store. At a hardware level, the Android POS IM30 device by PAX Technology was placed on the shop’s vending machines. The customer chooses the product they want and carry out their transaction through the POS, paying by card (via card insertion or contactless payment), wallet, or wearable, and the payment is completed with remarkable speed. The self-service IM30 POS terminal uses an Android operating system and has great flexibility and ease of connectivity, offering connection via ethernet, bluetooth, WiFi and 4G.
The implementation
The first robotic cashless micro-market retail store in Athens is now a reality thanks to the innovative solutions for easy and secure payments at vending machines offered by Cardlink in cooperation with Novidea & Transaction Systems, distributors of PAX Technology solutions in Greece and Central and Southeast Europe respectively.
Having incorporated all the latest technologies that save time for users and costs for entrepreneurs, the i-mall MicroMarket offers at the same time a unique experience to the consumer. The guide to designing the store was the result of primary research conducted by DK Marketing whose valuable findings showed that the physi-digital experience can offer the greatest possible satisfaction to consumers by connecting the digital with the analog-physical world.
The store’s payment system features the IM30 by PAX Technology—a next-generation unattended POS terminal integrated into the vending machines, supporting payments via card, mobile wallet, or wearables. With its large touchscreen display and 4G connectivity, the IM30 is designed to boost sales, enhance security, and withstand harsh environmental conditions, ensuring a smooth and efficient payment experience.
Built on Android, the IM30 offers exceptional durability, with advanced protection against water damage and vandalism. Its robust design makes it an ideal solution for businesses seeking cutting-edge, unattended payment terminals.
The Benefits
Since July 2022, the first physi-digital store in Athens has been operating 24/7/365, powered by state-of-the-art robotic vending machines—making it the world’s first fully robotic, cashless micro-market retail store.
The i-mall Micro Market runs entirely without staff, leveraging robotics and IoT (Internet of Things) technologies to deliver a seamless and innovative retail experience.
Key benefits include:
- Enhanced shopping experience: Fast, unattended transactions with no waiting time. This improved customer journey is also a differentiation point for i-mall MicroMarket in relation to the rest of the classic small retail stores.
- Secure payments: All transactions are conducted with the highest level of security for both consumers and businesses.
