Verkkokauppa.com pilots self-service smart lockers – sleeping bags and mini-fridges were a hit with gamers at Assembly.

Verkkokauppa.com piloted self-service exhibition sales at Assembly Summer '23, a popular event for gaming experts held at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre. The event, held in early August, attracted over 25,000 visitors, and the weekend-long pilot was conducted in collaboration with Selfly Store, which specializes in innovative smart cabinets.

Shopping took place around the clock at the Assembly event. Photos: Iiro Aarnio/Verkkokauppa.com

Owned by Stora Enso, Selfly Store is a Finnish company providing smart retail solutions for merchants and consumers.

"Embracing new innovations is natural for us; it's always been in our DNA. We are constantly developing new ways to do business, so it was great to have Selfly Store as our partner at Assembly. This collaboration combined the core elements of our operations: ease, speed, and experimentation," says Pekka Litmanen, Sales Director at Verkkokauppa.com.

Following the 24/7 opening hours of our Helsinki store and the introduction of express deliveries, this pilot aimed to map customer behavior and improve the customer experience, particularly regarding nighttime sales.

"A gaming event favored by IT pioneers was the perfect location for the pilot. It was especially interesting to see how contactless commerce is received in an exhibition setting, as you won't find tech experts of this caliber anywhere else," Litmanen continues.

Small electronics sold via self-service for the first time

Selfly Store's technology is used in 21 countries across Europe, with smart cabinets becoming increasingly common in hotels and offices. However, this was the first time they were used to sell electronics and gaming products.

"Sales data from Selfly Store showed that PRIME sports drinks—a summer hit—as well as various cables and electronics cleaning supplies, were particularly popular over the weekend. Surprising items like sleeping bags, mini-fridges, and fans also caught the gamers' interest," Litmanen summarizes.

Unlike traditional snack and drink vending machines, Selfly Store's smart cabinets utilize the latest RFID, sensor, and cloud technology and can be customized as needed.

"We have received positive feedback on our partnership with Verkkokauppa.com. Together, we created an exceptional customer service experience for event visitors, and it was great to see that our smart cabinets are a perfect fit for the needs of a major player like Verkkokauppa.com. Through careful branding, we ensured steady sales throughout the event," says Aslak de Silva, CEO of Selfly Store.

About Selfly Store

Selfly Store is a Finnish company owned by Stora Enso. Selfly Store develops and manufactures smart technology for the retail industry. By integrating RFID technology into retail, Selfly Store enables 24/7 unmanned customer service. Their solution is based on smart cabinets and RFID and sensor technology, providing consumers with a pleasant, secure, and contactless shopping experience directly from the cabinet.

Additional information
press@verkkokauppa.com (Ulkoinen palvelu)

Verkkokauppa.com
Verkkokauppa.com is Finland's leading online retailer, offering a wide range of products from home technology to leisure and business needs. Operating since 1992, the company is one of the world's oldest online retailers, combining e-commerce and physical stores into a seamless omnichannel customer experience. Verkkokauppa.com's four megastores are located in Oulu, Pirkkala, Raisio, and Helsinki's Jätkäsaari district. To deliver an exceptional customer experience, the company delivers products to your door in as little as one hour, around the clock, using automation and robotics. Verkkokauppa.com employs approximately 600 people, and the company's shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.