Retail automation platform

A system comprising:

• a storage area storing a plurality of products;
• a lounge area comprising comfortable seating;
• an access point configured to selectively provide access to the lounge area;
• a first reader disposed adjacent the access point configured to allow access to the lounge area via the access point;
• a touchscreen display disposed within the lounge area configured to present information regarding the plurality of products to a user in the lounge area and allow the user to select one of the products for purchase;
• a second reader disposed adjacent the touchscreen display configured to allow the user to pay for the selected product;
• and
• robotic components configured to, based on payment for the selected product, move the selected product from the storage area to a dispensing box in the lounge area.

A system comprising:

• a storage area storing a plurality of products;
• a browsing area;
• an access point configured to selectively provide access to the browsing area;
• a first reader disposed adjacent the access point configured to allow access to the lounge area via the access point;
• a touchscreen display disposed within the lounge area configured to present information regarding the plurality of products to a user in the lounge area and allow the user to select one of the products for purchase;
• a second reader disposed adjacent the touchscreen display configured to allow the user to pay for the selected product;
• and
• robotic components configured to, based on payment for the selected product, move the selected product from the storage area to a dispensing box in the lounge area.

A method for providing a retail automation platform comprising:

• displaying, to a customer via a touchscreen display disposed at a lounge of a retail station, information regarding a plurality of products stored in a storage area of the retail station;
• receiving, from the customer via the touchscreen display, input corresponding to selection of a selected product of the plurality of products;
• reading, by a card reader disposed at the retail station, a card provided by the customer;
• effecting payment for the selected product utilizing the read card;
• and
• automatically effecting movement of, via robotic apparatus, the selected product from the storage area to a dispensing area of the retail station.

A method for providing a retail automation platform comprising:

• reading, by a first card reader disposed proximate an access point to a retail station, a first card provided by a customer;
• opening, based on the reading of the first card, the access point to the retail station;
• displaying, to the customer via a touchscreen display disposed at the retail station, information regarding a plurality of products stored in a storage area;
• receiving, from the customer via the touchscreen display, input corresponding to selection of a selected product of the plurality of products;
• reading, by a second card reader disposed at the retail station, a second card provided by the customer;
• effecting payment for the selected product utilizing the read second card;
• and
• automatically effecting movement of, via robotic apparatus, the selected product from the storage area to a dispensing area of the retail station.

A method for providing a retail automation platform comprising:

• providing, to a customer via first device located remotely from a retail station, information regarding a plurality of products stored in a warehouse area of the retail store;
• receiving, from the customer via the first device, input corresponding to selection of a selected product of the plurality of products;
• saving the costumer's selection;
• reading, by a first card reader disposed at the retail station, a first card provided by the customer;
• opening, based on the reading of the first card, the access point to the retail station;
• retrieving the saved customer's selection;
• and automatically effecting movement of, via robotic apparatus disposed at the retail store, the selected product from the warehouse area of the retail store to a dispensing area at the first retail station of the retail store.