Unmanned stores expand amid side hustles trend

(MK database)

With more workers embracing side gigs and the trend of multi-job workers on the rise, unmanned stores offering low-cost business opportunities are expanding rapidly. Many startups are stepping in to support these unmanned stores, implementing digital systems powered by advanced technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI), to make management more accessible for store owners.

One example is the “brwnie” solution, developed by startup HIGHERX. Brwnie is a total care solution tailored for unmanned store management, enabling gig workers to communicate with store owners via the brwnie app and receive checklists for assigned tasks. Once tasks are completed, workers upload photos via brwnie, allowing store owners to review and confirm the work remotely.

HIGHERX currently provides management services for a variety of unmanned stores, including ice cream discount shops, self-service laundromats, study cafes, vending machines, convenience stores, and stationery stores. Over the past three years, HIGHERX has handled more than 40,000 service requests, with a reuse rate exceeding 95 percent.

Fellow startup YPolaris uses AI technology to manage unmanned stores. Its “Catsup Takeout” store, a grab-and-go concept, incorporates vision AI technology into CCTV to track customer movements from entry to exit. The system records each customer’s path and identifies the items they select for purchase. Payment is automatically processed as customers exit the store without needing to scan a barcode, providing a seamless shopping experience.