Checkout-less technology arrives at six Circle K locations

Checkout-free technology is coming to several Circle K locations, providing a more convenient way for customers to shop its own brands, foodservice and more.

Powered by tech company Grabango, the new checkout-free locations are coming to six Circle K stores in the greater Tucson, Ariz. area. With a connected mobile app, shoppers merely walk into the store with no check-in feature required or no need to scan a way into the store. The shopper shops normally and items are accounted for automatically into the app through machine learning technology and computer vision sensors. When checking out, the shopper scans a code on their phone at a scanning station to trigger payment and receive a digital receipt. 

​​The Circle K locations are 15935 N. Oracle Road in Tucson, and in Marana at 11403 W. Tangerine Road, 3880 W. Tangerine Road, 5725 W. Ina Road, 4540 W. Ina Road, and 5633 W. Cortaro Road.

Overheard sensors scan items that are placed in the cart. When the shopper leaves the store, they are billed through the account on their mobile app. Unlike Amazon’s checkout-less stores, retailers with Grabango technology enable customers to also prefer to pay the traditional way, however, per the company.

Grabango has previously worked with Giant Eagle and its GetGo convenience format in the Pittsburgh area.

“I’m thrilled to announce that we’re working with Circle K and its parent company, Alimentation Couche-Tard, on the largest rollout of checkout-free retrofits to date,” said Will Glaser, CEO of Grabango. “Couche-Tard is a sophisticated global partner that’s a leader in delivering technology to benefit its customers. Together, we’re fulfilling the promise of making convenience stores more convenient.”

Circle K is the second major retail chain that Grabango has worked with, after implementing its checkout-less technology at five Giant Eagle stores in the greater Pittsburgh area.

“We are passionate about exploring technology that empowers our store teams and helps make our customers’ lives a little easier every day,” said Magnus Tägtström, head of global digital innovation at Couche-Tard. “We’re looking forward to seeing Grabango’s autonomous checkout solution support our ongoing efforts to make the store experience as seamless and frictionless as possible for our on-the-go customers.”