Lifvs is a Stockholm-based start-up that launched in 201 with the aim of bringing retail stores back to rural locations, where shops had closed down because they had struggled to remain profitable, due to the large overheads of traditional retail.
Lifvs circumvents these problems by operating a staff-less, 24/7-access, mini-supermarket model.
Each shop is a small red wooden container, roughly the same size as a large mobile home, stocking all the usual Swedish essentials, such as fresh fruit and veg, Swedish meatballs, crisp breads and wafer bars.
The catch is that there are no checkouts or staff.
Customers are able to open the door with a specific app, which works in conjunction with BankID, a secure national identification app operated by Sweden’s banks. Then, you can scan barcodes using your phone, and the bill is charged automatically to a pre-registered bank card.
It’s a simple solution that provides a convenient, local solution for people who would otherwise be isolated.
20 stores are now in operation across Sweden in rural locations since last March.