NEW ZEALAND. Lagardère Travel Retail has created a world-first airport concept through the introduction of a ‘robot’-driven Automated Collection Experience (ACE) by Aelia Duty Free at Auckland Airport.
Lagardère Travel Retail Executive General Manager of Duty Free & Luxury, Pacific Ivo Favotto said: “You can now order your duty free goods online and collect them automatically and in-style via ACE. The whole experience is now completely digital.
“Our ACE is a world first for travel retail and the first retail execution of a robot of this kind in New Zealand.”
The perfect pick-me up: An ACE serve at Auckland Airport |
The robot ACE identifies the shopper’s box of pre-ordered goods, delivering the purchase within 30 seconds in an entertaining and engaging way. The service enhance the shopping experience while making it faster and more convenient, said Lagardère Travel Retail.
The overall structure stands four metres high (so heavy that it required the floor to be restructured and strengthened for installation). ACE is capable of lifting up to 150 kg, ensuring even full duty free allowance orders of three bottles of spirits and six bottles of wine are no trouble for the robot’s ability.
Click on the image to watch ACE go to work at Auckland Airport |
Auckland Airport General Manager of Retail and Commercial Richard Barker said: “The ACE robot shows our ongoing commitment to making journeys better and providing a world-class duty free experience at Auckland Airport.”
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Ace served at Auckland, passengers peppered by Costa |
| The robots are coming to duty free. Soon we will be completely free of duty. Mark my words, it starts with airport collection and cruiseline services, but pretty soon they’ll have all our jobs. |
“Not only does the ACE robot look impressive, it also reduces the time arriving passengers have to wait at the duty free collection point. We congratulate Aelia on their innovation and commitment to customer service.”
The technology-driven concept ACE makes the consumer shopping experience not only more convenient but also intriguing and theatrical, said Lagardère Travel Retail.
“In a world where technology is becoming the defining factor in everyday convenience, the use of robotics in service delivery is cutting edge, revolutionising the way consumers shop with one implicit promise: speed of service,” it said.
Similar robots operate at Yotel in New York City and Shoebox in Berlin. Lagardère Travel Retail said that the arrival of the ACE at Aelia Duty Free is a testament to the group’s vision. “Technology and online ordering, just as it has in a traditional retail environment, will become the way of the future for duty free,” the company said.
Aelia Duty Free offers a ‘Here and Nowhere Else’ promise, ensuring the ACE robotic experience remains a highly sought after and exclusive one, it said.
Favotto continued: “The focus of Aelia Duty Free at Auckland Airport is to revolutionise duty free with experiences that passengers will never forget. Be it the Top Shelf Bar in Departures, where you can get premium cocktails for just NZ$5, or ACE in Arrivals.”
