UK’s first robot automated shop to open in Manchester

A shop controlled by automated robots ‘without a single human in-store’ is coming to Greater Manchester.

Called ‘in:Five’, the UK’s first fully-automated click and collect convenience store is set to open its doors to customers, and orders will be ready for collection within five minutes.

The completely tech-driven shop will open on Chapel Street, in Salford, and will not have any human staff members featured behind the scenes to serve customers.

The convenience store will feature inside The Filaments build-to-rent development and will be open to members of the public as well as its residents.

To shop at in:Five, customers will be able to place their orders via the in:Five app, visit the in-store Collection Hub, and collect their orders from their designated locker.

Owned by Hong Kong Technology Venture Company Limited, over the last month the store has been in a trial test run for a select few subscribers, opening to the general public on Saturday, November 18th. 

It will stock a range of everyday essentials including toiletries, washing essentials, over-the-counter medicines and store cupboard staples (non-perishables – there won’t be any fresh fruit and vegetables).

It will feature a range of familiar brands, including Heinz, Gillette, Uncle Bens, Persil and Lemsip. 

A selection of new and exciting brands will be on sale, too, including Hip Pop Kombucha and Karma Drinks, as well as Korean and Japanese soft drinks.

The store will also sell gadgets, including MacBook USB-C adapters and smart phone chargers. For age restrictions items the in:Five app is connected to facial recognition software which confirms the customer’s identity pre-purchase.

Ricky Wong, Group Chief Executive Officer for in:Five and Group CEO / Vice Chairman of Hong Kong Technology Venture Company Limited Group, said: “If Apple did a grocery store, it would probably look like this.

“We’re very proud to be opening the UK’s first completely automated store here in Manchester, as it’s such a vibrant, thriving city with plenty of young professionals and on the go consumers who will benefit from the click & collect service.

“Our team is locally Manchester based, made up of local engineers and marketers. We feel lucky to have the nimbleness and autonomy of a UK tech start-up that’s stacked with local talent, coupled with the support, wisdom and resources of Hong Kong’s largest online shopping mall.”