NUDE FOODS goes nuts for Smartfill: next-gen packageless retail
The next-generation Smartfill IoT dispenser has been launched at NUDE FOODS, Cape Town’s pioneering plastic-free grocery store. This innovative IoT dispenser will simplify the zero-waste customer experience and enable NUDE FOODS to potentially expand its offering to other retailers.
Developed by digital transformation consultancy dY/dX and retail marketing solutions company Smollan, Smartfill is a significant advance in the war on plastic. The advanced dispenser leverages IoT technology to provide an economical and practical solution for packageless retail. Produced in South Africa, Smartfill dispensers have been extensively tested and piloted in informal stores and supermarkets across the UK, Bangladesh, Kenya and South Africa with brands including Spar, Unilever and Tiger Brands.
Nevo Hadas, Partner at dY/dX, emphasises the need for widespread adoption of such solutions: "Only 9% of plastic is recycled overall. Flexible plastic for food packaging is not recyclable and makes up 80% of household grocery waste and roughly 25% of global plastic waste. We need to focus on eliminating plastic by getting rid of its need. The technology for packageless retail is here. Customers want it, and our planet needs it. Not only that, it can lead to higher margins for retailers and brands and reduce costs for consumers.”
Leading the zero-waste movement
NUDE FOODS has been at the forefront of zero-waste shopping since its inception in December 2017. The store sells a wide range of natural foods, home and body products unpackaged and by weight, all free from single-use plastic. Early Smartfill prototypes were first developed and tested in NUDE FOODS in 2021. The dispensers will be expanded to other products, and NUDE FOODS plans to work with Smarfill to provide nuts and other healthy snacking options in other retailers, as well as office parks and schools.
Founder Paul Rubin says embracing the Smartfill dispenser aligns perfectly with NUDE FOODS’ mission to promote sustainable living and reduce environmental impact. “Our goal is to make plastic-free shopping easy and accessible for everyone. By offering our customers an efficient and eco-friendly way to shop, we can fill their pantries with sustainable foods, without filling their bins with wasteful packaging.”
“Smartfill dispenses products in precise quantities selected by consumers, ensuring convenience while reducing waste,” says Hadas. “Its functionality addresses common issues associated with traditional gravity-fed machines, such as spills and inaccurate quantities.”
The future of retail
For retailers like NUDE FOODS, the IoT Smartfill dispenser provides real-time data on inventory levels and keeps stock hygienically stored for longer. These advanced features enable efficient stock management and timely refills, ensuring that the dispensers are always ready to meet customer needs. Retailers can track usage patterns and adjust their inventory, optimising the supply chain and reducing unnecessary stock.
While traditional bulk dispensers can be expensive to operate, the new Smartfill dispensers reduce these costs, explains Hadas. They are cost-effective, hygienic, and easy to manage and refill, appealing to a broad range of retail environments from zero-waste stores like NUDE FOODS, to major supermarkets and smaller retail outlets like spaza shops.
"Smartfill was designed to scale to millions of dispensers. Our vision is a world where consumers can walk into any store and purchase using dispensing technology at a lower cost than packaged products. This not only reflects the lower cost of production and logistics, but also the absence of pollution and waste as by-products," says Hadas.
A step towards a sustainable future
As the world grapples with plastic pollution and the environmental crisis, innovations like Smartfill offer practical solutions that can be scaled globally, says Hadas. “The push should not be that consumers need to do more, it should be that they are given options by retailers and brands that don't include packaging.”
Paul Rubin agrees. “Adopting zero-waste practices goes beyond just a retail strategy; it’s a necessary shift that we all need to make. Every time a customer fills their container at our dispensers instead of picking up another plastic bag, we're making a small but significant step towards a healthier environment. NUDE FOODS alone averts tonnes of single-use plastic from landfill each year. Small actions, collectively, make a big impact."
(ENDS)
SUMMARY:
Innovative features of Smartfill
- Precision dispensing: The Smartfill dispenser ensures that customers receive exactly the amount they select, mitigating issues common with gravity-fed machines.
- Locally manufactured: Designed and produced in South Africa, the dispenser boasts an economical and practical design that is easy to manage and refill.
- Real-time data access: Equipped with IoT technology, Smartfill provides real-time data on inventory levels, enabling efficient stock management and timely refills.
- Versatile application: Besides high-end refill stores, Smartfill is being adopted in spaza shops and small retail outlets across South Africa, Kenya, and Bangladesh, demonstrating its versatility in dispensing various products.
Benefits for consumers:
- Cost savings: Buying in bulk allows consumers to purchase the exact amount needed, often at reduced prices due to eliminated packaging costs.
- Environmental impact: By reusing containers and reducing plastic waste, consumers contribute to a healthier planet.
Benefits for retailers:
- Operational efficiency: Bulk dispensers streamline inventory management and reduce the need for frequent restocking.
- Enhanced brand image: Retailers adopting packageless solutions are viewed favourably by eco-conscious consumers, fostering customer loyalty.
- Reduced costs: Savings on packaging materials and logistics translate to better margins and potentially lower prices for consumers.
Media contact:
Tamaryn Brown
Connect Media
Tamaryn@connectmedia.co.za