Żabka Nano has launched a new digital campaign under the slogan #NANOrmally. It aims to educate new and returning customers on how the format works, as well as to encourage them to shop and take advantage of personalised promotions that can be found in the NANO zone on the Żappka mobile app.
–The #NANOrmally campaign aims to strengthen awareness of Żabka Nano brand. We want to encourage people who, for various reasons, have not yet decided to do so, to use the convenience of shopping in autonomous shops. We say that at Żabka Nano you will do your shopping #NANOrmally, i.e. better than usual. At the same time we emphasise the advantages of our format – accessibility, convenience, speed and personalisation of the shopping process – says Andrzej Poplawski, Nano Sales & Marketing Lead at Żabka Future.
#NANOrmal shopping
Created as part of the #NANOrmally campaign, the creations, using a play on words, explain in a humorous way how to shop at Żabka Nano. They also highlight the advantages of shopping in the chain’s autonomous shops, including availability seven days a week around the clock, ease of use of the stores, speed of the shopping process (no queues, checkouts or need to scan products), availability of an assortment personalised to the type of location and customer profile (e.g. for students) and attractive promotions for Żappka app users. They also point out the unique features of shopping at Żabka Nano, such as the ability for several people to shop at the same time, the possibility to buy fruit and vegetables by the piece (without having to weigh them) or the ease of cancelling the purchase of a given product if the customer changes their mind. The whole thing is tied together by the slogan #NANOrmal shopping – which is even better than normal and ordinary shopping.
The campaign is running on the most popular online advertising platforms. A series of 6 educational films and animations promoting Żabka Nano were created, which are stylized as conversations held on Messenger, Tinder or Microsoft Teams. The advertisements are targeted geographically, in large cities where Żabka Nano stores are located, including Katowice, Krakow, Poznań, the Tricity, Warsaw and Wrocław, as well as based on retargeting and previous interest in using Żabka Nano shops.
The creative concept was developed by the Polot agency. OOH media purchase was handled by the Value Media agency.
Not such an ordinary shop
Żabka Nano is an innovative concept that is changing and shaping the perception of the consumer experience. The first stores started their operations in June 2021 in Poznań, Żabka Nano stores are located, among others, in office buildings or dormitories. They are also an important part of the urban fabric – they are present on important city streets or at metro stations and railway stations.
Read more about Żabka Nano at: zabkagroup.com/pl/convenience/nano/ i zabka.pl/zabka-nano
Żabka is the most innovative company using AI in Poland.
Żabka was ranked first in the ranking of companies that use artificial intelligence most innovatively, clearly distancing the other players. The ongoing online digital transformation since 2016 is one of the pillars of the company’s development strategy. Thanks to it, Żabka has become the fastest-growing chain of modern convenience in Europe and one of the most dynamic in the world, and the modern technologies created by Żabka in cooperation with partners make life easier and free time for millions of customers. In Poznań, it opened the first unmanned facility, Żabka Nano, two years ago, which is currently one of the largest such chains in the world.
Innovation is a key element in the development of the chain, which is why Żabka continues to undergo digital transformation, which consists of an ecosystem of technological solutions operating in the areas of store management, assortment, BIG DATA, artificial intelligence, as well as mobile applications. Thanks to the presence of four large digital divisions in the Żabka structures, new solutions for customers based on digital technology are implemented every few months. This gives the Polish convenience chains a position among the most technologically advanced retail chains in the world.
AI/ML technologies in Żabka are present in many business locations, e.g. in the customer area, where they help to select the optimal offer tailored to the customer, through the franchisee area, which they support during the ordering process and ensure optimum utilization. Żabka provides franchisees with several uniquely designed, modern tools that support the management of the store and facilitate daily operations. These intelligent solutions include Cyberstore, OptiPlan, the store’s auto-replenishment system, the e-learning platform, and more.
The most internationally recognized innovative project is the Żabka Nano, the largest chain of autonomous stores in Europe. This is a unique project in the world, which combines a physical and digital store. Access to the facility is possible using any payment card or Żappka mobile app. with a payment card attached to Żappka Pay.
The innovative concept, allowing for quick shopping without checkout clerks, queues, and cash, is precisely adapted to the nature of the location and the profile of customers. The Żabka Nano stores operate in several formats, such as standalone container vending machines, traditional brick-and-mortar outlets, and store-in-the-store. Each utilizes technology developed in close collaboration with American technology company AiFi and leverages Microsoft Azure. The first Żabka Nano store was established in June 2021 in Poznań, currently, there are over 60 outlets all over Poland.
More about Żabka Nano on: zabkagroup.com/pl/convenience/nano/ i zabka.pl/zabka-nano
“Ranking of the most innovative Polish companies using AI” was prepared and prepared by the Polish editorial board of “Forbes” monthly. Żabka was ranked first on the list, scoring as many as 60 points.
Żabka Nano, the largest chain of autonomous stores in Europe, launched a new image campaign under the slogan “Automatically faster, easier, cooler”. It aims to highlight the benefits that the Żabka Nano offers customers, i.e. 24/7a availability, quick and convenient purchases without checkouts, and cash. The campaign is accompanied by a promotional campaign, during which, from June 1 to June 30 this year, the customer gets a 30% discount for the first and each subsequent purchase when buying any HAPS brand snack.
– The “Automatically Faster, Easier, Cooler” campaign aims to build awareness of Żabka Nano brand. We want to encourage new customers to take advantage of convenient shopping opportunities in unmanned stores. We draw attention to the advantages of our format – availability seven days a week round the clock, speed of the purchasing process, and innovation. We also emphasize the flexibility of Żabka Nano format, we present a wide and diverse product range available in our stores, which is tailored to both the customer group and the location – says Andrzej Popławski, Nano Sales & Marketing Lead w Żabka Future.
“Automatically faster, easier, cooler” campaign
The campaign is implemented in cities where Żabka Nano stores are located, i.e. in Warsaw, Poznań, Wrocław, Katowice, Kraków, and Gdańsk, Gdynia, and Sopot. Communication is local, based on geo-tagged digital and OOH. Among other things, citilights and billboards were used in the campaign. There will also be advertisements in the capital’s subway stations where Żabka Nano stores can be found, as well as plastered buses. Warsaw residents and Wrocław residents can also see advertisements on city bikes.
The humorous creations created by the campaign, using wordplay, emphasize the diverse product range of Żabka Nano stores, personalized for the type of location. For example, in the advertisements of facilities located in residential settlements, products such as eggs, sugar, toothbrush, and dishwasher tablets are displayed; for stores in high-traffic locations – sandwiches, snacks, coffee; in office buildings – salads, ready meals, or quick snacks. Also promoted is a product range specific to particular Żabka Nano stores, e.g. bread baked in an oven, which can be purchased in the stores located at 36A KEN Avenue in Warsaw.
The creative concept was created by FMCgo. Dentsu agency was responsible for the purchase of OOH media.
Promotion “-30% for all”
The campaign is accompanied by a promotional campaign, during which anyone who buys once any HAPS brand snack will get a 30% discount on the first and all subsequent purchases by the end of June this year, without any limit. Both customers using the payment card and the Żappka app can benefit from the promotion. Promotional principles are described at: https://zabka-nano.pl/
Europe’s largest chain of autonomous stores
Żabka Nano is an innovative concept that changes and shapes the perception of consumer experiences. The first store started its activity in June 2021 in Poznań. Currently, Żabka Nano is the largest chain of autonomous stores in Europe, which already has 60 stores of this type. Żabka Nano stores are located, among other places, in places where – due to limited space or legal requirements – the standard facility of Żabka chain would not fit, for example, in office buildings, fitness clubs, or dormitories. They are also an important part of the urban fabric – they are present on important city streets or metro stations.
More about Żabka Nano on: zabkagroup.com/pl/convenience/nano/ i zabka.pl/zabka-nano
Żabka Group strives to provide customers with convenient access to the highest quality products in every possible place, so it develops the project of autonomous shops and is now planning to open the first such facility in a hospital. Thanks to Żabka Nano, located on the premises of the Regional Hospital in Poznań, both its patients, visitors, and employees will be able to purchase products from the extensive offer of the chain 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Żabka Nano on the premises of the Regional Hospital in Poznań is located in front of the main entrance (entrance A), next to the rotunda, at the parking lot, which is accessed from Juraszów Street. This is so far the smallest autonomous store of the chain – the area of the sales hall is 16 m2. The store will be opened in the second quarter of this year. Access to the facility will be possible using any payment card or Żappka mobile app. with a payment card linked to Żappka Pay.
– Opening a Żabka store is always an opportunity for the local community to do quick shopping. The hospital is another type of location where our autonomous store is available to customers because according to our mission, we want to provide them with convenience wherever possible – says Paweł Grabowski, Head of Unmanned Solutions at Żabka Future.
Despite the small size of the store, the product mix offered by Żabka Nano store on the premises of the Poznań Hospital will include about 900 products. It will include products from the Żabka private labels, such as Szamamm ready-made dishes, Tomcio Paluch sandwiches, Foodini liquid snacks, juices and lemonade Wycisk, and freshly ground coffee from the coffee machine. Due to the location and needs of the hospital patients, the store will also have an extensive range of hygiene products.
– The Regional Hospital in Poznań, as the first in Poland, will enable its patients, visitors, and employees to shop in the Żabka chain store. We have offered to work together because it is in line with our vision of providing high-quality services and reaching out to modern solutions. Żabka Nano store means that our non-medical offer will be enriched by a much-needed, friendly place being at the very top European level. We are convinced that the functioning of such a store on the premises of the hospital will mainly benefit patients because it will be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Just like the Hospital –adds Piotr Nowicki, Director of the Regional Hospital in Poznań.
Europe’s largest chain of autonomous stores
Żabka Nano is an innovative concept that changes and shapes the perception of consumer experiences. The first store started its activity in June 2021 in Poznań. Today, Żabka Nano is the largest chain of autonomous stores in Europe. It has more than 50 facilities of this type, and there are plans to open several dozen more. Żabka Nano stores are located, among other places, in places where – due to limited space or legal requirements – the standard facility of Żabka chain would not fit, for example, in office buildings, fitness clubs, or dormitories. They are also an important part of the urban fabric – they are present on important city streets or metro stations.
More about Żabka Nano stores at: zabkagroup.com/pl/convenience/nano/ i zabka.pl/zabka-nano
Żabka Group, the leading Polish convenience ecosystem with nearly 3 million customers daily, is looking for startups that will help embrace positive change and foster innovation, to further transform convenience shopping. Applications are now open for Żabka Future Lab, an accelerator program for startups that want to grow with Żabka Group and test their products and services at scale, using its infrastructure and resources.
The program is open for early-stage startups, who can help Żabka Group with enhancing its customer experience, improving the logistics, optimizing operations, and transforming it into a leading global retailer. Up to 5 startups from all around the Europe and Middle East, who will apply to the program, will take part in workshops and mentoring sessions with industry experts that will help them improve business models, learn how to communicate with potential customers or develop the right product/market fit.
Startups will also have a chance to test their product and services at scale, within Żabka Group’s infrastructure. Being the leading convenience ecosystem in Poland, the company has over 9,000 stores, over 50 Żabka Nano autonomous stores, and over 6 million users of its mobile app. In addition, the PoC and commercial pilots can be held within logistics facilities, with Żabka Group’s partners, and even conduct sensory tests in company’s own lab.
Żabka Future Lab is one of three acceleration programs run by Żabka Group, and an example of a whole variety of endeavours by Venture Studio, a division of Żabka Future that specifically seeks for startups and tech companies, to foster innovation that could further expand and improve the convenience ecosystem and create additional value to for Żabka Group.
„We work closely with startups to bring innovative solutions to retail. We support companies that are designing unconventional solutions for e-commerce, q-commerce, and D2C. We share our expertise to help young entrepreneurs test their ideas, reduce the risk of failure, and bring their products to market. The work of our team is all about supporting innovators, searching for new business opportunities, and building relationships within the startup community”, says Karol Gajewicz, Head of Venture Studio.
Venture Studio on the lookout for startups
In 2022 alone, Venture Studio analysed applications from 1335 startups, meet with over 100 of them and invited 13 companies for the pilot program of their products or service. The team has also organised 4 acceleration programmes, aimed at working with different companies, that solve different issues. The list includes the first edition of Żabka Future Lab, Foodtech Lab aiming at fostering innovation innovation in the food industry, and 2 editions of the Startup Impact Program, seeking for startups that create a positive impact on the world around them.
The winning projects in the 2nd edition of the Startup Impact Program are the development of energy-free fast beverage cooling (E-ice); biopolymer production (Seasoil); the development of intelligent composters suitable for use in urban and even office environments (Vermico).
The winners of the 1st edition of Foodtech Lab include SERio Vegetable cheese – vegan cheeses made from lupin, BIO COOLS – cryogenic, vegan ice cream, NewGranny – functional coffee drinks with high protein content, Small Giants – healthy insect-based protein snacks, and Fermentful – fermented plant-based drinks for gut health.
Startup success stories in the convenience ecosystem
Żabka’s Venture Studio has already seen successful pilots, tests, and implementations. Including Virbe and Omniaz.
Virbe is a startup that creates 3D virtual assistants using conversational AI, used to help stores improve customer experience. They can be present both in digital channels as well as in physical locations, serving as brands ambassadors that are brand always available. Żabka Group tests them in the autonomous stores, to provide customers guidance and personalised product recommendations, as well as make the checkout process a breeze.
Omniaz is an end-to-end augmented reality solution for retail, uses AR to merge online and offline shopping experience. The first pilot, conducted in 2022, resulted in an NPS of 90%. The second pilot, with a larger customer base, is planned for 2023.
“As a technology-driven company, we’re able to quickly test and validate new ideas. And with our large-scale operations, we’re able to do it in a real environment, always listening to customer feedback. That’s how we’ve introduced new payment methods, q-commerce services, and made investments in AI. And as a result, Żabka Nano is the largest chain of autonomous stores in Europe. But innovation is a constant process, not a single project. We’re always open for bold ideas that could help us respond to consumer needs, invent new categories and stay ahead of the market”, says Karol Gajewicz.
The applications for the 2nd edition of Żabka Future Lab program are open till the 15th March. Selected companies will take part in the acceleration from April till June.
Żabka Group is joining Microsoft at NRF 2023: Retail’s Big Show, the world’s largest convention and expo for retail companies, in New York City. Żabka Nano, an autonomous store concept that has been developed under the umbrella of Żabka Future for over a year and a half, will be featured at the Microsoft Booth (#4503). The NRF conference is held in New York from January 15 to 17, 2023.
NRF: Retail’s Big Show is one of the industry’s most important events. The sessions, with the participation of speakers and supplemented by the expo, provide a platform for the exchange of information and experiences related to the latest trends affecting the development of the global retail industry. This year, the event will feature over 175 sessions, 350+ speakers, and more than 800 exhibitors.
“Participation in this prestigious event is not only an opportunity for us to establish new partnerships but also an opportunity to present Żabka as one of the world’s most innovative companies in the retail industry. Warsaw, thanks to our concept, has become the world capital of autonomous stores, so I am glad that we have the opportunity to present this project to a global audience. We want to show you how our new technologies, created in cooperation with our partners, make life easier and free up our customers’ time,”said Tomasz Blicharski, EVP, Managing Director of Żabka Future.
The autonomous Żabka Nano store showcase presented during the NRF conference is available for registered attendees to tour from January 15 to 17. The Żabka Nano is a globally unique project that combines a physical and digital store. The innovative concept, allowing for quick shopping without checkout clerks, queues, and cash, is precisely adapted to the nature of the location and the profile of customers. Stores operate in several formats, such as standalone container vending machines, traditional brick-and-mortar outlets, or store-in-the-store. Each uses technology developed in close cooperation with American technology company AiFi and leverages Microsoft Azure. The first Żabka Nano store was established in June 2021 in Poznań. Currently, the Żabka Group manages the largest chain of autonomous stores in Europe with more than 50 outlets.
“We’re thrilled to be working with Microsoft and Żabka Group at the world’s largest retail event. Having surpassed more than 50 AiFi-powered Żabka stores recently, the demand for autonomous checkout in convenience stores is quickly rising, and we’re proud to have proven our ability to deploy autonomous stores at record speed in partnership with Żabka,” said Steve Carlin, CEO of AiFi.
Representatives of the Żabka Group discussed the digital transformation that has been going within the chain since 2016, also during the substantive part of the event. On January 15, Tomasz Blicharski talked about the concept of Żabka Nano during the NRF BIG Ideas session “Resilient retail. Achieve more with Microsoft Cloud for Retail”. The session was led by Shelley Bransten, Global Corporate Vice President, Retail & Consumer Goods Industries at Microsoft.
“Digital technology that enables experiences like autonomous stores is what will make the difference between retailers that thrive and those that get left behind,” said Shelley Bransten, Global Corporate Vice President, Retail & Consumer Goods Industries, Microsoft. “In collaboration with Microsoft partner AiFi, we’re pleased to bring the Zabka Nano store checkout-free solution to life at NRF 2023 and to show the global retail industry what’s possible for autonomous stores through Zabka’s successful deployment.”
Thanks to the use of various communication channels, Żabka with its message about simplifying everyday life and the benefits of this, reaches millions of consumers. Only in the first month of its launch, the strong 360 “Free up free time” campaign has allowed it to reach different consumer groups – digital users, TV viewers, radio listeners, or cinema viewers. Undoubtedly, it won the hearts of the audience – as many as 90% of the respondents rate it positively, drawing attention to its modern, attractive and emotional character.
“Free up free time” is the new positioning of the Żabka brand and the slogan of the campaign launched on October 12 this year, which expresses in a tangible, emotional way the benefit that customers have from Żabka. Żabka frees up the time of its customers by removing from their heads the daily inconveniences and challenges that are time-consuming, energy-taking, emotionally engaging, and do not allow them to make a moment for themselves.
– After several years of changes at the level of the store, offer, customer service, and introducing countless innovations to facilitate shopping, Żabka has become more than a store. We started not only selling products but simplifying everyday life. Looking at this “simplification” in the context of our competitive advantages, we understood that the key benefit we give our customers is time – time, which we always do have not enough. Exploring this problem during research, we have seen how much emotional potential this approach has and how far it is from positioning “Small Big Store”. So we decided to make a change. We replaced the story of the store on every corner with the story of how Żabka “lets you do what you like”, as it removes from your head the daily inconvenience, freeing up your time– says Maciej Szaroleta, Director of Brand Strategy in Żabka Polska.
– The new positioning of the Żabka brand is based on strong insight. It puts customers and their needs in the spotlight. The image part of the campaign is a kind of call and manifesto encouraging to appreciate free time – a reminder of the importance of time spent with family, loved ones, with friends, but also time for yourself. From the communication side, it is a revolution for us, because as Żabka we depart from the store itself to focus on showing the lives of customers, their needs, and things they are fascinated with and which are important to them. Żabka ceases to be just a store, and through modern products, services, private labels, and new formats it becomes a place that simplifies everyday life and frees up time – adds Jarosław Serednicki, Marketing Director at Żabka Polska.
“Free up free time“ Communication Platform
The new communication platform created advertisements in traditional media: television, radio, press and internet, indoor and outdoor advertising, and digital channels. Advertising creations have a modern, bold and emotional character. Each one shows exactly what is the role of the Żabka products and services in freeing time by simplifying various aspects of everyday life (“Do what you like and we will help you with what you need”).
The campaign consists of an image spot prepared in two versions (TV and digital), a manifesto in which Żabka encourages people to appreciate their free time, and product spots (four on TV and three on digital channels), whose plot refers to life situations in which the characters thanks to Żabka can do what they like. There are also 450 advertisements on the internet. Żabka also decided on a very effective form of communication in the form of advertising on one of the tallest buildings in Warsaw, the Warsaw Spire.
On social media, websites, and in the Żappka app, the company adapted its communication to the younger client, allowing for a bolder interpretation of the image spot and the product campaign: “Don’t worry, don’t think about everyday challenges, don’t burden your head with them because #masztowżabce [you got it in Żabka]“. Every online advertisement is a continuation and interpretation of the story told in television spots.
As part of the platform, the content in the Żappka mobile app, which is actively used by 6 million users, has also been adjusted to the new positioning.
The creative concept was created by the Ogilvy agency. The Sugar Agency is responsible for activities in the digital and social media channels. The media was purchased by the SparkFoundry media house, and BTL content was prepared by Just.
A consistent brand voice from Żabka Group
Not only does Żabka give customers the freedom to enjoy life to the full, thanks to the convenience and immediate availability of matched products and convenient services. Other Żabka Group brands also free people’s time by simplifying everyday life. Therefore, also in ads for the autonomous Żabka Nano stores or Żabka Jush! express shopping delivery services there appear threads coinciding with the main positioning of the brand.
Żabka Nano, the largest chain of autonomous stores in Europe, launched an image campaign under the slogan “Buy as you like”. It aims to build brand awareness and encourage new customers to take advantage of the possibility of making quick and convenient purchases in autonomous stores and thus freeing their time. The campaign message is in line with the new positioning of the Żabka brand. The campaign is accompanied by a promotion for users of the Żappka app, thanks to which you can receive up to PLN 200 for daily purchases in the facilities of the Żabka Nano.
– The Żabka Nano is based on innovative technological solutions such as advanced imaging models, artificial intelligence, and innovative methods of authorization and payment for purchases. Thanks to them, the customer can shop in the simplest way possible – simply by taking products off the shelves, without having to scan and pay for them at the checkout. Shopping in Żabka Nano is a moment – the shopping process can take up to 1 minute. And it’s these advantages – 7×24 availability, speed, product matching, and innovation – that we show in the “Buy as You Like” campaign – says Andrzej Popławski, Nano Sales & Marketing Lead in Żabka Future.
“Buy it as you like” campaign
The campaign is implemented in the formula of 360 degrees (without TV) in Warsaw, in which the largest number of outlets of Żabka Nano is located. In other cities – Poznań, Kraków, Wrocław, Katowice, Gdańsk, Gdynia, and Sopot – local communication is carried out, based on geotargeted digital and OOH. The campaign uses a variety of media, including citylight, digital citylight, billboards, parcel machines, and ATMs. There will also be advertisements in the capital’s subway stations, as well as on buses with dedicated paint schemes. Warsaw residents will also see murals in 4 locations in November and December, in the following streets: Waryńskiego, Rozbrat, Woronicza, and Dobra.
Advertising spots show funnily the stories of two people who buy as they like. The first, “Buy as you like, whether you’re on a match break or at work” is set in the context of the upcoming World Cup, and its protagonist is a supporter who takes a break in a football match and swings by to Żabka Nano for quick shopping. The second, “Buy as you like, whether you’re a night owl… or Martha”, shows a person sleepwalking and shopping at night, taking advantage of the fact that Żabka Nano stores are open around the clock.
Only in Żabka Nano up to PLN 200 for shopping
The campaign is accompanied by a promotional campaign for users of the Żappka mobile app, under which you can receive 40 vouchers worth PLN 5 each, i.e. a total of PLN 200 for daily purchases in Żabka Nano. The first voucher – PLN 5 at the start – the customer receives immediately after activating the promotion in the application. Each subsequent voucher will be granted to the customer after shopping worth the total amount of PLN 15. The promotion works cumulatively – the required PLN 15 can consist of more than one purchase (e.g. transaction for PLN 5 and the second one for PLN 10). The voucher is generated after the funds are debited from the card and the receipt is generated. The customer receives a push message about granting the voucher. The promotion can be activated until December 6 and used for 40 days. Promotional rules are described at: https://zabka-nano.pl/
The Żappla mobile app is available for free on Google Play, App Store, and Huawei AppGallery.
Europe’s largest chain of autonomous stores
The Żabka Nano is an innovative concept that changes and shapes the perception of consumer experiences. The first store started its activity in June 2021 in Poznań. Today, Żabka Nano is the largest chain of autonomous stores in Europe. It has nearly 50 of these facilities, and there are plans to open several dozen more. The Żabka Nano stores are located, among other places, in places where – due to limited space or legal requirements – the standard facility of the Żabka chain would not fit, for example, in office buildings, fitness clubs, or dormitories. They are also an important part of the urban fabric – they are present on important city streets or subway stations.
More about Żabka Nano: zabkagroup.com/pl/convenience/nano/ i zabka.pl/zabka-nano
At the beginning of the new academic year, Żabka opens the first autonomous store in a student dorm, located in the modern Basecamp building in Wrocław. The chain also encourages students to use the “Good Package” program to save food from waste. The program is available in selected facilities in Wrocław and Poznań.
First Żabka Nano in a student dorm
The first Żabka Nano in history housed in a student dorm is located in Basecamp in Wrocław, at 18/22 Sienkiewicza Street. The autonomous store was opened on October 10. Basecamp is a modern building in the very center of the city, finished in a loft style, which houses 775 rooms, of which 569 are a so-called dormitory offer, and 206 are for short-term rentals. Nearly half of the tenants are foreign students – from European countries such as France, the Czech Republic, Germany, or Norway, as well as from more distant countries such as Lebanon, Korea, South Africa, Syria, or Zimbabwe.
Basecamp creates smart and exciting living spaces for young people, mainly students, offering much more than a bed and desk – also many common spaces and amenities and a rich social calendar. There is a gym and a co-living common space. This is a modern approach to housing and an idea with perspective. It was here that Żabka chose to locate the first autonomous store in the space inhabited by students. Thanks to the Żabka Nano, Basecamp tenants will be able to purchase food from the rich offer of Żabka around the clock, 7 days a week.
– Each Basecamp is meticulously selected, designed, and developed to guarantee its residents a unique experience with student accommodation. Our properties are located on campus areas or in city centers, offering fully furnished rooms and high-end amenities. Each Basecamp provides a platform through which students can feel part of the student community, where they will find all the facilities they need to live. We are pleased that in Wrocław we can offer them access and the possibility of shopping in one of the most innovative autonomous stores on the market – Żabka Nano – commented Krzysztof Czarnecki, President of Basecamp in Poland.
Zero waste for the environment
Young people are increasingly aware of their impact on the environment around them and are keen to engage in resource-saving actions. Żabka invites students from Wrocław, as well as from Poznań, to use the “Good Package” project, aimed at counteracting food waste. As part of the action implemented since December 2021, with the guiding slogan “Simple solution for zero waste”, customers in the mobile Żappka app can order a set of two or three products with a short shelf life. “Good Package” is not only a gesture towards protecting raw materials but also an excellent way to save money for the student’s pocket.
– In Żabka we implement and encourage the use of many solutions aimed at preventing food waste. One of them is the “Good Package” tool. Customers are happy to use the opportunity to buy a surprise parcel at half price, consisting of full-value products on their last day of shelf life. Together, we believe we can significantly reduce food waste. We also encourage students, people who are aware of their environmental impact, to take advantage of the offer, so we give them simple solutions that will enable savings on their daily purchases. Students usually reach for products to eat right away – for breakfast or lunch. By buying a “Good Package” in the Żappka app they can be sure that they will get the full-value products, paying 50% less – says Joanna Kasowska, Quality and Food Management Standards Director in Żabka Polska.
What’s in the “Good Package”?
There are three types of parcels to choose from: parcels for vegetarians, vegans, and people with no specific nutritional preferences. Products sold as part of the “Good Package” program include lunch dishes, salads, sandwiches, and other snacks. A “Good Package“ is a surprise parcel – before buying, the customer knows only the category of products that are in it. The finished parcel can be picked up in the store at the time of your choice – its price is 50% of the value of the products, and you should pay for it in the store by any means of payment. In Wrocław, the “Good Package” is available in nearly 180 Żabka stores.
It is worth remembering that around 1 billion tons of food are wasted every year all over the world, and a statistically significant Pole throws away as much as 247 kg of food during the year. The Żabka’s answer to the problem of food waste is not only the “Good Package” tool but also the creation and development of a convenience ecosystem, which makes it easier for customers to use solutions supporting minimizing food loss. Nearly 90% of the items available in the chain’s stores are for immediate consumption, so they easily meet nutritional needs like hunger or thirst, without having to shop in advance. To prevent food waste in stores, Żabka implemented GS1 codes and QMS (Quick Meal Solutions). The chain is also working with social partners to increase the efficiency of the distribution of food products to people in need of such support, having distributed almost 630 tons of food to non-profit organizations in 2021.
On October 12 Żabka will launch a new campaign and show its customers how accompanying them at every moment of their day, makes their lives easier and thus frees up their free time. According to research, it is the lack of free time that is one of the most important challenges for modern consumers – a barrier to realizing passion and interests, and often also a source of stress, frustration and burnout. In response to this, Żabka in a new campaign explains attractively and engagingly how, thanks to its proximity, tailored products, and convenient purchasing process, it helps customers to cope with this important challenge in life.
– As a result of the consistent implementation of our development strategy in recent years, Żabka has ceased to be just a store. Today we are a comprehensive ecosystem of convenience – we offer various solutions, close to the needs of customers and facilitate their daily life. Thanks to the expansion of the Żabka Group with new businesses, such as Maczfit, Dietly, Żabka Jush, or Delio, customers can freely use our offer wherever they need it, e.g. by visiting stores or ordering products with 15-minute delivery to their homes. We will pursue this path of development persistently, keeping customers and their needs at the center of our attention – says Tomasz Suchański, CEO of Żabka Group.
Free time is one of the most important things in people’s lives, research shows. Poles are the third busiest nation in the European Union.[1] Compared to residents of other EU countries, Poles have almost the least free time during the day – only 286 minutes.[2] As much as 93 percent of Poles admit that they often lack time to pursue their passions and interests[3]. At the same time, for 83% of consumers in the world (and 78% in Poland) having free time is the source of happiness.[4] Thanks to Żabka, everyone can free up time for things really important in life – family, passions, rest, and friendships.
– Żabka has always made everyday life easier for millions of consumers. Today, we decided to talk about it openly and attractively. “Free up free time” is a new brand positioning and slogan of a new communication campaign in which we will show that Żabka offers much more than convenient shopping. By providing ready-made solutions, we make our customers gain free time, which they can devote to what is most important to them in life. This is an additional, very important dimension of our responsibility and influence to improve the quality of life of our customers – says Anna Grabowska, Vice President of the Management Board for Consumer Strategy, Żabka Group.
In the making of everyday life easier, an important role is played by the time of customer service in Żabka as well as the offer of products and services precisely tailored to customers’ expectations and needs. The proximity of over 8700 stores throughout Poland and the popular mobile app Żappka make it easy for customers to handle their daily affairs.
– We make life easier with our offer, innovative digital solutions, and the fact that everyone has a Żabka store at hand. New formats allow us to be closer and closer to our customers, who can count on us not only in brick-and-mortar stores but also in seasonal facilities by the sea, at events and concerts, or gas stations. Every year we open over 1000 stores throughout Poland. We focus on high-quality products and services, as well as on the speed of service to ensure the highest possible comfort to our customers. Currently, shopping time in Żabka is on average only about 106 seconds. We want these 106 seconds (from the entrance to the exit) to be managed for them most conveniently and easily so that the experience of shopping in Żabka is unique and clearly distinguishes us from the competition – says Adam Manikowski, EVP Żabka Group, Managing Director, Żabka Polska.
„Free up free time” Communication Platform
The new positioning of the Żabka brand is contained in the slogan: “Free up free time”, which took the place of the previous slogan “Small big store”. Additionally, on the Internet, it is complemented by a lighter and more humorous #mamtowzabce claim aimed at the younger consumer of the digital sphere.
The platform encompasses advertisements in traditional media: television, radio, press, and the Internet, as well as internal and external advertising and digital channels. Advertising creations have a modern, bold and emotional character. Based on the affirmation of free time, they express the key benefit that Żabka offers to customers. Each of them shows exactly what the role of Żabka products and services is in freeing time by making various aspects of everyday life easier (“Do what you like and we will help you with what you need”). The TV campaign starts on October 12. It consists of an image spot, a manifesto, in which Żabka encourages people to appreciate their free time, and four product spots, the plot of which refers to life situations, in which the characters thanks to Żabka can do what they like.
The creative concept was created by the Ogilvy agency. The Cukier Agency is responsible for activities in the digital and social media channels. The media was purchased by the SparkFoundry media house, and BTL content was prepared by Just.
[1] OECD (2022), Hours worked (indicator) https://data.oecd.org/emp/hours-worked.htm
[2] Esteban Ortiz-Ospina, Charlie Giattino and Max Roser (2020) https://ourworldindata.org/time-use
[3] Minds & Roses, Aug ‘21
[4] IPSOS 2020 „Global Happiness” https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/ct/news/documents/2020-10/global-happiness-2020-report.pdf
Żabka Nano, currently the largest chain of autonomous shops in Europe, has recently been awarded twice for its innovative concept. The chain was recognized by the jury and participants of a conference organized by the DWBW University in Heilbronn, Germany, receiving the Smart Stores award.
The Żabka Nano was one of 18 concepts nominated in the Smart Stores category of the Innovation Leader 2022 competition, of which 5 were selected by the Jury for the strict final. On September 13, this year, 300 participants of the “Retail Innovation Days” congress, after hearing the presentation of the final projects, in a live vote, selected the winner – Żabka Nano.
– Żabka Nano was chosen by the jury and our participants for its great achievements. With more than 50 autonomous stores in Europe, Żabka Nano is the European leader and idol for other retailers in Europe in this field – said Professor Dr. Stephan Rüschen, Head of the Retailing Faculty at DWBW University in Heilbronn.
– We are very pleased with the next award for the Żabka Nano concept. It is a proof for us that our ambitious project is a good investment, noticed and appreciated not only by customers but also by the industry and scientific community. I hope that we will continue to surprise the market with more innovative solutions – commented Tomasz Blicharski, EVP, Managing Director of Żabka Futu
The “Retail Innovation Days” Congress was organized by the Duale Hochschule Baden Württemberg in Heilbronn (DHBW Heilbronn), the largest retailing university in Germany, where about 900 students are studying for a degree in retailing and the city of Heilbronn is the brains and heart of retail in Germany.
Żabka Nano – a project of the Żabka chain, whose mission is to simplify purchases thanks to technologies, hopes for a change in the retail market and is currently the largest operator of autonomous stores in Europe with already 50 facilities and ambitions to become the largest operator of this type in the world. Stores are already located, among others, in gyms, office buildings, and soon also in dormitories or hospitals.
Żabka has won the NACS European Convenience Retail Technology Award, recognizing the company’s unique, fully autonomous Żabka Nano store concept. The award, sponsored by Gilbarco Veeder-Root, was presented on 2 June this year during the NACS Convenience Summit Europe in Berlin. The award was collected by Paweł Grabowski, director of unmanned solutions at Żabka Future.
The NACS Convenience Retail Technology Award recognizes Żabka for pursuing a significant and compelling technology initiative in the convenience retailing segment. The judges agreed that Żabka Nano offers much more than just a frictionless shopping experience – it’s a holistic approach to offering next-level convenience where autonomous retail is in tandem with a compelling store proposition.
The first facility in this innovative concept – allowing you to shop in seconds, without queues, without cash or contact with shop attendants – was launched in June 2021. Żabka Nano stores operate in several formats, i.e. standalone container vending machines, traditional brick-and-mortar, or store-in-the-store. Each of them uses technology developed in close cooperation with American technology company AiFi. The range offered by Żabka Nano stores is precisely tailored to the specifics of the location and profile of the customer.
Today there are more than 40 Żabka Nano stores operating in the Polish market, making Żabka the largest autonomous store chain in Europe. The retail concept was created as part of the Żabka Future Business Incubator, which combines three elements: management and searching for innovations, transforming them into new products and services, and commercializing them.
The NACS European Convenience Retail Awards are given by NACS, which was founded in 1961 as an international trade association for the development of retail and fuel sales. The aim is to highlight outstanding achievements in European retail. The winners are selected in four categories: Convenience Retailer of the Year, Convenience Industry Leader of the Year, Convenience Retail Sustainability Award, and Convenience Retail Technology Award.