SAN FRANCISCO — Standard Cognition, a frictionless-retail startup, and candy maker Mars Wrigley have partnered to integrate impulse sales into a no-checkout retail format.
Mars initially reached out to Standard, suggesting the two companies work together to better understand what effect autonomous checkouts would have on shoppers’ experience, particularly at the end of the trip while waiting in line. The two companies could then collaborate to bring retailers new recommendations on how to design stores that balance operational efficiency, shopper satisfaction and financial optimization.
“Standard had been thinking about that issue too, so the Mars inquiry was very timely,” said Michael Suswal, co-founder and chief operating officer of Standard Cognition. “We leapt at the chance to work with Mars—a category captain with 100-plus years of insights, research and innovation—to help retailers address this challenge.”
“Mars selected Standard as its partner because it’s clear to us that they bring advanced technology in autonomous checkout, offer a great value proposition to retailers and share with us a mutual passion and vision for this space,” said Vincent Hummel, global category leadership director of new transaction points for Mars Wrigley. “We’re excited to work with Standard and our retailers around the world to define the future of autonomous checkout.”
Standard Cognition was one of the first startups in the autonomous checkout space and among the first to open a cashierless store in San Francisco. Recently named to Y Combinator’s Top Companies List for 2019, Standard is working with retailers across the United States and the world. The company has raised $86 million in funding from high-profile investors including CRV, Initialized Capital, EQT Ventures and Y Combinator.
Mars is a family-owned business with more than a century of history making diverse products and offering services for people and pets. With headquarters in McLean, Va., Mars operates in more than 80 countries.
Standard Cognition provides artificial intelligence-powered autonomous checkout solutions for brick-and-mortar retailers. Available to any retailer, the Standard product lets consumers shop and pay without waiting in line, scanning or stopping to check out.
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