Jiffi Stores is transforming the shopping experience through its groundbreaking concept of unmanned retail stores, setting a new standard for convenience and accessibility across India. Jiffi Stores integrates effortlessly into the fast-paced modern lifestyle by offering a seamless, technology-driven shopping journey.
Utilizing advanced technology, Jiffi Stores has designed fully automated retail spaces where customers can browse, shop, and complete transactions without interacting with traditional cashiers. The product range is thoughtfully curated, from snacks and beverages to daily essentials. We also ensure that customers find exactly what they need quickly and efficiently.
Guided by a strong commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, Jiffi Stores is redefining retail in India. The company prioritizes convenience, reliability, and efficiency, aiming to make shopping more streamlined than ever.
In an exclusive conversation with The Interview World, Amey Rithe, COO of Jiffi Stores, highlights the company’s automated checkout platform. He explains how this technology tackles shoplifting concerns and sharing key insights into Jiffi Stores’ growth. Below are the main takeaways from his discussion.
Q: Can you provide more details about the automated e-commerce checkout platform you’ve designed specifically for retail stores in India, and how it enhances the shopping experience?
A: At Jiffi, we are developing a cutting-edge retail tech startup focused on creating a premium checkout experience for customers across India. As traditional retailers face intense competition from online platforms like Blinkit and Zepto, they need innovative solutions to attract customers back to physical stores.
The key challenges customers encounter today are long checkout lines, lack of personalization, and minimal innovation in-store experiences. The current process remains outdated—customers pick items, stand in line, and wait for a cashier to scan their purchases manually.
At Jiffi, we are revolutionizing this experience with autonomous checkout technology. Customers simply scan themselves upon entering the store, pick up the items they need, and leave in under five minutes. By reducing the average checkout time from 15-20 minutes to just five, we are significantly enhancing convenience and helping customers save valuable time.
Q: How do you address the potential risk of shoplifting in autonomous checkout stores, and what measures are in place to prevent theft?
A: At Jiffi, we leverage advanced AI systems, including computer vision and sensor fusion technology, to ensure precise product mapping and prevent any items from being taken without checkout. Our system instantly detects when a product is lifted from the shelf, automatically adding it to the customer’s virtual cart.
Through sensor fusion, we effectively eliminate the possibility of shoplifting. Additionally, our AI continuously monitors all customer hand movements. As customers pick items from the shelves, those items are also seamlessly added to their carts, enhancing security and streamlining the shopping experience.
Q: How many autonomous retail stores are currently operating in India, and what is the average footfall of customers in these stores?
A: Currently, we operate our own demo store located in Pune, which serves as a company-owned facility. We observe approximately 200 customer visits each week. Moreover, we offer our technology as a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution. We do not intend to establish our retail stores; our focus is on technology development, not retail operations.
We are actively engaging with various retail partners, and interest in our technology is growing significantly among retailers. This demonstrates the strong demand for our innovative solutions in the market.
Q: What is your vision for the company’s growth over the next five years?
A: Today’s customers place a high value on privacy and prefer to keep their purchases discreet. Our autonomous checkout technology addresses this need by eliminating any human intervention in the shopping process.
Moreover, with the rise of AI, many retailers are actively pursuing and implementing this technology in their stores. I envision significant growth in the adoption of retail technology in India. Our success will depend on the increased acceptance and integration of this innovative solution by retailers across the country.
Q: With the adoption of autonomous technology, how do you foresee its impact on employment in retail stores?
A: We do not anticipate reducing jobs with the implementation of our technology. Essential functions such as restocking, management, and security will remain intact. For instance, the two cashiers currently stationed in the store can reallocate their efforts to more valuable tasks, ultimately benefiting the retail environment.
In fact, rather than eliminating positions, our technology may create new job opportunities within the industry. Moreover, we believe that this innovative approach will enhance efficiency while supporting job growth in the retail sector.
