Introducing Travelwell: Lagardère Travel Retail opens Hong Kong International Airport's first self-checkout shop : The ... - The Moodie Davitt Report

HONG KONG, CHINA. Lagardère Travel Retail has unveiled its autonomous convenience store concept Travelwell at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). The hi-tech 88sq m store features an AI system and computer vision technology which enables passengers to experience grab-and-go purchasing without stopping for cashier checkout.

The store – a partnership with Airport Authority Hong Kong – is designed to be a one-stop convenience store where passengers can find pre-flight necessities and do some last-minute shopping before boarding.

It offers a wide range of packaged food, ready-to-eats, beverages, travel essentials and local souvenirs.

The eye-catching, futuristic-looking autonomous shop which gives passengers a swift, contactless and seamless shopping experience

Travelwell is located near gate 24, at the entrance of Sky Bridge, the world’s longest airside bridge which connects Terminal 1 and Satellite Concourse of the airport.

Lagardère Travel Retail describes the new opening as a “captivating, futuristic store design which perfectly complements the extraordinary, panoramic view of the airport, becoming a new destination at HKIA”.

The AI system deployed at the stores uses various types of algorithms to track the movement of the products as well as the gestures of customers to ensure shoplifting is impossible and purchases are accurate.

These images give a sense of the wide product offer of the Travelwell store, which offers not only popular convenience items but also local souvenirs

Customers enter the store by tapping a credit card on or inserting it into the payment terminal. After selecting their products, they simply exit the store with the items selected, and their credit cards are automatically debited. If required, customers have the facility print their receipts via a machine next to the exit gate.

There are illustrations of the shopping procedure inside and outside of the store. In addition, a staff member is stationed at the store to answer questions and provide guidance to customers on the seamless shopping experience.

Entrance to the store showing the gates where passenger credit/debit cards are presented

Lagardère Travel Retail first came up with a hi-tech concept store back in 2019 as part of development plan for HKIA, fuelled by the belief that cashier-less shopping would be the next big trend in the retail industry.

Lagardère Travel Retail Asia Chief Operating Officer & Group Chief Strategy and Development Officer Séverine Lanthier said: “We are grateful to have benefited from the support of the Airport Authority Hong Kong and of business partners to pioneer this technology-led, innovative new store. Our Travelwell store and the beautiful Sky Bridge are a natural fit to each other.”

She added: “I hope the new shopping experience will appeal to travellers and become a memorable part of their journey. This project represents a key milestone in our ambitious roadmap to innovate to elevate the traveller shopping experience.”