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In Curitiba, Muffato Group Store Allows Customers to Pick Products and Leave Without Going Through Checkout, With Automatic Charging via App.
The retail landscape in Latin America has changed with the launch of Muffato Go, the first autonomous supermarket in the region. Launched by Muffato Group in Curitiba, Paraná, in November 2022, the store promises the end of lines through a fully technological shopping experience. With an investment of R$ 10 million, the project allows customers to simply pick the products they want and leave, with the charge processed automatically on their credit card.
A Revolutionary Shopping Experience
The customer journey at Muffato Go is designed to be simple and intuitive. The process begins with the download of the store’s app. There, the consumer makes a quick registration and links a credit card to their account.
To enter the store, the app generates a unique QR code. This code is scanned at turnstiles at the entrance, granting access. Once inside, the customer can select the products they want directly from the shelves and place them in their bag. When finished, there is no need to go through a checkout. Just leave the store. The charging is processed automatically on the registered card, and the receipt is sent digitally.
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The store has 250 square meters and a mix of approximately 2,000 items, focused on quick and convenience shopping. The project even included a lobby for customers to download the app at their leisure, using the local Wi-Fi.
The Technology Behind the Innovation
The “pick and go” experience is made possible thanks to a complex technological alliance. The brain of the operation is the platform from Portuguese startup Sensei. It utilizes a combination of artificial intelligence (AI), computer vision, and a network of sensors.
Cameras installed in the ceiling anonymously track customer movements. They do not use facial recognition, but identify consumers by their paths and clothing. At the same time, weight sensors on the shelves detect the removal or return of each product.
AI algorithms process this data in real-time. They create a “virtual shopping cart” for each person in the store. The merging of this data ensures accurate charging. The project involved an ecosystem of partners, including Renovretail for system integration and Elgin for electronic price tags.
More Than a Supermarket, A Data Laboratory
The decision of Muffato Group to launch an autonomous supermarket is a bold strategic move. The goal is not only to eliminate lines but to position the brand as a leader in innovation in the market. This action pressures competitors to reassess their own technology plans.
While convenience is the main draw for the customer, the most valuable long-term asset is the data. The technology provides unprecedented visibility into consumer behavior. The system records not only what is purchased but the entire decision-making process: what was picked up, observed, and returned to the shelf.
This data allows for optimizing stock, planograms, and creating personalized promotions. Muffato Go functions as a real-time laboratory to understand the consumer’s shopping journey.
Micromarkets and the Caution of Other Giants
Muffato Go is not alone in the automation field. Long before, Zaitt was already operating as a 100% autonomous market, but recently shifted its focus to becoming a company that sells its technology to third parties.
Meanwhile, a “third wave” of autonomous retail is growing explosively: micromarkets in condominiums and offices. Companies like market4u already have thousands of stores and show that hyper-convenience, even with less sophisticated technology, has massive demand.
In contrast, giants like Pão de Açúcar Group (GPA) adopt a more cautious approach. In 2019, GPA tested a “scan-and-go” system internally with its employees but did not proceed to a large-scale launch, demonstrating a more conservative approach to disruption.
The Future of Employment and Consumer Privacy
Automation in retail raises important debates about its social impact. The technology promises to free employees from repetitive tasks, such as operating a checkout. With this, they can focus on higher-value roles, such as assisting customers and acting as sales consultants. However, this requires a significant effort in retraining the workforce.
Another crucial point is privacy. The detailed collection of data on consumer behavior raises concerns. To ensure trust, companies like Muffato need to strictly adhere to the General Data Protection Law (LGPD) and adopt robust cybersecurity measures, such as payment data tokenization, to protect their customers’ information.
Apesar de falarem em tarefas repetitivas dos funcionários, de todos aderirem a este sistema de autonomia de mercado, haverá muitos desempregos no Brasil!.
Sem filas mas também sem emprego
Lado de minha casa! Loja realmente tecnológica!
Virou rotina,sempre passar lá comprar algo.
É uma loja pequena! Não é para fazer compras grandes etc… Pois a variedade de produtos e bem reduzida,mas atende a necessidades do dia a dia, e até de um churrasco bem elaborado. E com preços ótimos!!!
No começo a sensação é meio estranha! Mas funciona perfeitamente. Agora, se por acaso acontecer algum problemas na compra (item errado,duplicidade etc), tem funcionários muitos prestativos e dispostos a ajudar e resolver o BO. Vale muito apena!