Putting the relevant slice of the store 100 feet away with Bodega

If you’re here after reading about us in the news or on Twitter today and want to learn more, we’re written a follow up post here: “So, about our name…”

For the last decade, online retailers and brick and mortar stores have been in a race to get goods from a distribution hub to consumers as quickly (and cheaply) as possible. This is known as the “Last Mile” of retail, and the whole retail industry is currently obsessed with optimizing it. It takes online retailers several days for their delivery networks to bring packages to your home — in the best case you have to wait hours. Traditional retailers, on the other hand, rely on people getting themselves to the nearest store to purchase what they need.

In places like NYC, there’s a store on nearly every corner serving local neighborhoods 24/7. “Getting to the store” is easy when it’s right downstairs or next door.

Shrinking the store and bringing it to you

With Bodega, we’re bringing that same ease and convenience to those of us that don’t have a corner store by putting one right where you live and work. We’ve created small, automated stores stocked with the essentials you need, right where you need them — whether it’s snacks at the gym or toiletries and household goods in your apartment’s lobby.

With the tap of a button you get access to everything inside and can take whatever you need. A set of cameras inside the cabinet use computer vision to recognize what you take — just grab items off the shelf. When you’re done, close the doors and walk away. Your credit card is automatically charged. And Bodega learns what sells and restocks accordingly.

There are currently 30 Bodegas live throughout the Bay Area, and we’re working with property managers from offices, apartment buildings, gyms, and college campuses to place more. When there are enough Bodegas around, you’ll essentially have a distributed pantry that never runs out.

Forget the last mile, we’re covering the last 100 feet

Shopping doesn’t have to mean a car ride to a 30,000 square foot building filled with thousands of products you’ll never buy but instead a short walk of less than 100 feet to a small store stocked with just what you need. There are no lines, no clunky shopping carts, no figuring out how to swipe or insert or tap to pay, no loyalty cards, and no sheets of receipts and coupons.

Check us out at www.trybodega.com, and if you’re a property manager interested in bringing a Bodega to your place, let us know.