DAO and Sensei take the stage at Shoptalk Europe 2024

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On June 7, 2024, at Shoptalk Europe in Barcelona, DAO and Sensei stepped into the spotlight to share how autonomous store technology is reshaping the future of retail in Italy. Representing the joint project, Marco Penasa—Project Manager at DAO—presented the case of their second autonomous store in Trento, offering the audience a detailed look into the challenges faced, the innovations adopted, and the remarkable results achieved.

DAO, a long-standing cooperative under the Conad brand, is known for its deep community roots and forward-thinking approach. In partnership with Sensei, they have opened two fully autonomous stores—first in Verona and now in Trento. At Shoptalk, Penasa walked attendees through the journey that led to this milestone, emphasizing the retailer's desire for a supermarket of the present—familiar to customers, but frictionless and efficient thanks to Sensei.

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From eliminating checkout bottlenecks to reducing shrinkage and enhancing inventory accuracy, DAO’s autonomous stores are not only offering a better experience for shoppers, but also solving some of retail’s most pressing operational headaches. One of the highlights shared during the presentation was Sensei’s real-time basket technology, which allows customers to see their purchases before paying—resulting in a checkout time of under 50 seconds.

The session served as a powerful case study in how the right technology, when paired with a strong local brand, can transform retail without losing its human touch. As Marco concluded, the magic lies in making the new feel familiar—and keeping things simple.

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