These new 24-hour Toronto convenience stores have no cashiers
New convenience stores are popping up in Toronto that are completely self-serve, have no cashiers and are open 24 hours a day.
If you want to get inside to buy something, you’ll need to download an app to your smartphone.
"The store is completely unmanned and cashierless and in order to get into the store you need to have the mobile app," John Douang, CEO and President of Aisle 24, told CTV News Toronto.
Douang said that once you download the mobile app and create an account, you can get inside. Shoppers can then pick out what they want to buy, go to the checkout station, scan their items and make their payment.
Cameras and security systems are in place to ensure all goods are paid for and, in the event of a problem, a person’s account can be suspended until the issue is resolved.
Aisle 24 currently operates eight self serve stores in Ontario and Quebec, but has another 30 planned to be opened soon and hopes to open as many as 200 across Canada within two years.
The items carried in the stores are similar to other convenience stores, but along with snacks, prepared foods and beverages, there may be grocery items like produce, baked items and canned goods.
While Douang admits there has been some criticism since the store has done away with cashier jobs, he said cashier jobs are not positions that many people want these days.
"There is a labour shortage and a lot of people that are out there don't want low wage frontline jobs, they are holding out for something better," he said.
Douang said the company still needs employees to stock shelves, order products and monitor the stores.
“While we don't have frontline workers, there are a lot of staff behind the scenes making this happen,” he said.
Zane Akoodie stopped in to check out the self-serve store and said there are very few convenience stores in his area.
"It appeals very well to my demographic, (younger people) it's very simple to do everything now wirelessly through your phone," Akoodie said.
Douang said he believes other retailers will also adopt this format.
"This type of technology and innovation is going to be prevalent in many different businesses in the future,” he said.
Self-serve stores could also be a good fit for apartment buildings or condominiums, so customers don't need to make a big trip to get common items and the store can be open 24-hours a day.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why drivers in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada will see a gas price spike, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
It's the biggest election in history. Here's why few Indians in Canada will take part
In the Indian general election that gets underway on Friday, almost a billion people are eligible to vote, but a vast majority of the overseas Indian community in Canada won't be casting a ballot.
McDonald's customers left with 'zero value' collection of free hot drink stickers after company ends program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Jury selection in Trump hush money trial faces pivotal stretch as former U.S. president returns to court
Jury selection in the hush money trial of Donald Trump enters a pivotal and potentially final stretch Thursday as lawyers look to round out the panel of New Yorkers that will decide the first-ever criminal case against a former president.
Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
Biden scores endorsements from Kennedy family, looking to shore up support against Trump and RFK Jr.
U.S. President Joe Biden will accept endorsements from at least 15 members of the Kennedy political family during a campaign stop in Philadelphia on Thursday as he aims to undermine Donald Trump and marginalize the candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.