ARM | Structural Concepts

Serve Fresh Food
Anywhere, Anytime

By holding 23% more food, having the ability to operate seamlessly 24/7 in remote locations, and providing 100% security and 100% inventory management control, Structural Concepts Autonomous Retail Merchandiser delivers a quick payback by generating 30% more reoccurring profits vs. the leading competition.

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Reinventing the Autonomous Experience

Focusing on delivering even greater value to its customers, Structural Concepts is making fresh food displays more profitable with this new merchandiser that utilizes leading-edge automated checkout technology. 

Automated Checkout allows shoppers to browse products directly on the shelf, have their selections automatically added to their cart, and pay with credit/debit or mobile payment for faster transactions. 

For the operator, the autonomous solution tracks inventory and requires less labor, resulting in lower operating costs and increased productivity.

Generate More Sales and Profits with Autonomous Shopping

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  • Operates seamlessly in remote locations
  • Safe and secure cashier-less transactions
  • Holds 23% more product than other models; Fewer and easier restocks
  • Simplest and lowest flat fee structures
  • Easy integration with existing payment systems
  • Accepts most methods of payment
  • Lowest overall operating costs
  • Includes SCC's hallmark industrial design and features

Enhancing Efficiency and Customer Experience with the ARM

Designed to offset labor challenges and improve the end customer experience, the ARM provides an appealing merchandising format and is compatible with various methods of payment. This includes credit/debit cards, student IDs, work IDs, etc., that will be pre-authorized upon presentation to the POS device. Existing payment processing systems can also easily be integrated with the ARM.

The ARM also contains load cell trays allowing the operator to program food in each tray via an app, where the weight of each item tells the system what has been selected. Interactive LED shelf lights identify which tray a product was selected from and these instantly turn red if the wrong product is put back in the tray.

Stay Relevant in Today’s Foodservice Marketplace

74% of small and mid-sized businesses expect their customers will continue to prefer contactless payments as much as or more than they do currently.

 

66% believe that automation can improve their shopping experience inclusive of the increasing need for food safety and product consistency.

 

To combat the increased complexity caused by the labor shortage, 72% of retailers/sellers of fresh food are using, or planning to use, automation to decrease their team’s time on hands-on work.

Increased Speed and Accuracy of Transactions

Ease of Use

Consumers were twice as likely to choose ease of use (50%) as the most important aspect of contactless experiences over the next option (data security, at 25%).

 

Creates Familiarity

When compared to locations that offer little to no automation, automated stores experienced an 11% sales lift among shoppers, as well as an 11% increase in trip frequency.

 

Provide a Level of Comfortability

Alleviates shopper concerns by ensuring greater food safety and product consistency.

The Structural Concepts Autonomous Retail Merchandiser is an Ideal Solution for All Fresh Food Selling Environments

Education

38% of college students want dining options open 24/7. McKinsey

More than 50% of institutions polled are interested in mobile ordering and/or cashierless pickup. McKinsey

Campus store/cafe traffic increased 21% and average transactions grew 23% in the months after going autonomous. Chartwells Higher Education Path Forward Survey

Having automated options for checkout ranked higher and more important than having human checkout options.  NACUFS Campus Dining 2030 and Beyond

Learn how to automate foodservice in education—download the full brochure below.

Healthcare

71% of operators indicate that they are likely to invest in replacing equipment, and 68% said they are likely to invest in technology within the next 24 months. AHF State of the industry Report 

22% (one-fourth) say that automation and technology is the biggest trend in healthcare dining right now, and 9% say they’re using it to help them with their labor shortage issues. FSD’s Healthcare Survey 

To combat the increased complexity caused by the foodservice labor shortage, 72% of sellers of fresh food are using, or planning to use, automation to decrease their team’s time on hands-on work. Foodservice Director 

Just over one-third of employee meals are from on-site offerings. Most employee meals are brought from home, though nearly 20% of healthcare employees are getting their food from an off-site provider.  Datassential

Learn how to automate foodservice in healthcare—download the full brochure below. 

Travel & Entertainment

Contactless options in the hospitality segment popularized by the pandemic will continue to be in-demand for the foreseeable future. Lodging Foodservice Report 

59% of sports fans and concert goers would spend more on food & beverages if wait times were shorter.  AiFi, How Autonomous Store Solutions are Transforming Industries for the Better 

Only 10 minutes is the maximum acceptable time attendees will wait to purchase food and beverages. AiFi, How Autonomous Store Solutions are Transforming Industries for the Better 

Many airports do not have enough space to hold the necessary equipment for restaurant outlets, and they are struggling to get the best equipment, while supply chain issues and financial constraints are major concerns.  Forbes

Learn how to automate foodservice in travel and entertainment—download the full brochure below.

Businesses & Institutions

Less than 30% of companies offer an on-site, formal cafeteria. SHRM 

To combat the increased complexity caused by the foodservice labor shortage, 72% of sellers of fresh food are using, or planning to use, automation to decrease their team’s time on hands-on work. Foodservice Director 

28% of employees would like their employer to provide healthy snacks at the workplace by offering convenient, healthy options to employees.  Food in the Workplace Survey Reveals Food Perks Influence Millennials 

Creating spaces where employees can grab a quick bite and take a coffee break when they need to recharge is a growing trend on business campuses. The Society for Hospitality and Foodservice Management’s Semi-Annual Industry Standards and Benchmark Comparisons Report NACUFS Campus Dining 2030 and Beyond

Learn how to automate foodservice in businesses and institutions—download the full brochure below.

There were over 61,000 publicly accessible electric vehicle charging stations in the United States. 

64% of Americans live within 2 miles of a public charging station, and those who live closest to chargers view EVs more positively. 

In addition to WiFi and eco-lounge workspaces, EV owners are requiring on-the-go refreshments offering convenience to members and providing refreshments allowing a pleasant wait while cars charge. 

Convenience stores are evolving along with EV stations, and a few of the latest charging plaza and lounge concepts don’t even envision being staffed by humans at all. Station builders are exploring autonomously operating micro-retail stores that are essentially walk-in vending machines. 

Pew Research

Learn how to automate foodservice in EV charging stations—download the full brochure below.

Now You Can Run the ARM Both Ways

The ARM now has the ability to transition from a cashier-less system allowing shoppers to pay with credit/debit, mobile payments, or other forms of IDs for faster transactions to one of a utility open cooler where fresh food and chilled beverages can be manually taken out and purchased at the checkout counter. 

Depending on the situation, an active ARM can offset labor and operational challenges with a cashier-less transactional system; in an inactive state, the ARM can simply act as any other merchandiser, holding 23% more inventory than any other models, where products are taken off shelves and purchased manually.     

How It Works

1. Change the mode setting of the ARM from the kiosk using the operator’s login.

2. Immediately change the mode setting  (activate/cashier-less or deactivate/basic cooler) on the kiosk without having to preprogram a setting/time/day.

3. When the cashier-less mode is activated, the kiosk will only show a start screen.  

ARM Membership Function Has Its Privileges

ARM Membership

In addition to using a cashier-less system allowing shoppers to pay with credit/debit, mobile payments, or other forms of IDs for faster transactions, the ARM can now be programmed by type of membership account, meaning that preselected individuals or groups can access fresh food, chilled beverages, or non-food products by simply logging in their member account number. 

 

How It Works

1. Push the Membership Screen Button
2. Enter Your Membership Number or Scan Your Membership Card
3. Continue to Shop Following the Prompts

ARM Membership 2

This is a perfect application for country clubs, health club facilities, and any other organization who want to sell more merchandise in a quick and efficient way, accessible 24/7 in remote locations, while still having the ability to track individual usage to bill its members.

A Simple Working Process

1. The consumer presents a payment method.

2. Once the payment method is authorized, the door unlocks, and the consumer is free to take the desired items off the various shelves.

3. When satisfied with their selections, the consumer closes the door, and the door instantly locks.

4. If the consumer is done shopping, they can either tap the "pay" button on the tablet screen or just walk away. 

Market circumstances may dictate the best experience for the consumer. For instance, a Healthcare or B&I environment may require a longer delay to finalize a “walk-away” than a  College/University based on security or maturity of the customers. This and other parameters can be set up by the operator for each merchandiser.

Expand Your Product Inventory

Experience Unmatched Flexibility and Efficiency with Our Satellite Display Cases to Create the Perfect Autonomous Combination Solution

A versatile addition to your retail setup, allowing operators to expand their merchandise offerings without incurring additional payment terminal fees. 

This satellite case seamlessly pairs with either Refrigerated or Ambient primary units, offering flexibility and convenience while maximizing revenue potential and increased profitability.

Available Configurations

Refrigerated/Refrigerated

Keep your products chilled to perfection.

Refrigerated/Ambient

The perfect blend of freshness and convenience.

Ambient/Ambient

Versatile options for any merchandise.

Closer Look at ARM

A Closer Look at the ARM

1
Security Camera

Directed down to only capture hand making selections; used only to settle disputes.

2
Load Cell Trays

Operator programs food in each tray via the App; Weight tells systems what’s been selected.

3
R290 Refrigeration System

Slide-out pan, variable speed compressor, and an on board condensate pan.

4
Interactive LED Shelf Lights

Identifies tray that product was selected from and turns red when wrong product is put in a tray.

5
Ordering Table Cart/Screen

67% of consumers highlight that contactless experiences are important because they’re easy to use.

6
Credit Card Terminal

A majority of those who say that contactless experiences are important say it’s because they’re quick (59%).

7
Electronics Box (E-Box)

65% of consumers said privacy was a heightened concern, and they prefer an anonymous/privacy-protected shopping experience.

Increase Profitability by Lowering Your Total Cost of Ownership with the Autonomous Retail Merchandiser

In Tests Conducted with the Competition, Structural concepts Outperformed All Models in Key Areas

Introducing a Great Alternative to Acquire an Autonomous Retail Merchandiser
Experience all of the benefits of reduced labor costs, incremental sales, and increased profitability

Autonomous Retail Merchandiser Leasing Program

• Immediately own an ARM unit 
• Circumvent a limited capital budget
• Manage cash flow
• 100% financing includes installation & technical support
• Fixed or flexible monthly payments available.
• Credit available for new businesses

Excludes all transactional fees associated with ARM operating software.

Navitas Logo 3

Easy Application Process

Credit decisions completed within 2-4 hours and upon approval, finance contracts are sent to applicants.

ARM LOCATOR

Want to See and Experience the ARM Up Live and Close?

Click on the button below to locate a Structural Concepts sales office in your market that has an Autonomous Retail Merchandiser in their showroom.  Contact that office and arrange for an appointment for a live demonstration today!    

Payment Options

The ARM technology requires a connection to the internet and payment processing setup.  Operational fees are associated with payment processing as outlined here. 

Available payment terminal options can be viewed here. 

Easy Setup and Management

Initial Setup

Shelf Calibration

Inventory Setup

Restock Instructions

What the Industry is Saying About the ARM

Kitchen Innovations 2023 Award

A featured recipient of the 2023 Kitchen Innovations (KI) Award celebrating the back of house innovations that improve operations and generate growth through advances in automation, sustainability, efficiency, space saving and more.

National Retail Federation 2024 North America VIP Award Finalist

The ARM was recognized by NRF for Best Commerce/Multi-Vendor Platform Award. Structural Concepts was the only manufacturer considered for this prestigious honor as the other finalists included technology and software solution providers.

2024 Readers' Choice New Products of the Year Awards

The ARM is a nominee for the 2024 Readers' Choice New Products of the Year Awards through Vending Market Watch.

2024 FCSI's Product of the Year Award

The Autonomous Retail Merchandiser (ARM) received the Product of the Year Award from the Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI) as part of their 2024 Innovation Showcase. FCSI is one of the most respected, professional organizations offering design and management consulting services, specialized in the foodservice and hospitality industry, across the world.

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