Rimi Introduces AI-Powered Product Recognition for Self-Checkouts

Rimi Lietuva is testing AI-powered product recognition at self-checkout scales to automate the identification of weighed items. According to CEO Vaidas Lukoševičius, the system identifies over 90% of integrated products correctly, saving shoppers an average of 10 seconds per item.

The technology eliminates the need for customers to manually search for weighed products on the checkout screen. This reduces the likelihood of selection errors, such as choosing the wrong variety of apple, according to company data.

Currently, the system is active in one pilot store in Lithuania. Rimi plans to begin broader testing in Latvian stores later this year.

Did You Know? The AI system is currently trained to recognize the 30 most frequently purchased weighed fruits and vegetables.

How does AI product recognition speed up shopping?

The system provides an immediate product suggestion once a customer places an item on the scale. In the pilot store, shoppers use these AI recommendations in every second instance, according to Rimi Lietuva.

Bananas, cucumbers, and peppers are the most frequently recognized items. Vaidas Lukoševičius stated that the 10-second saving per item significantly shortens the total shopping time, particularly for baskets containing many different weighed goods.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that while a 90% accuracy rate is a strong baseline for pilot testing, the transition to a full-scale rollout will likely depend on how the system handles visual anomalies and diverse packaging.

What happens next with the Rimi AI rollout?

Expansion into Latvian stores is expected later this year. However, the technology may face hurdles in the bakery category. Specialists are currently seeking packaging solutions that would allow the AI to distinguish between different types of buns, bread, and other baked goods.

Retail Picklist Assistant – product recognition for self-checkouts

Fruits and vegetables were prioritized for the initial rollout because these categories require the most manual searching on self-checkout screens, according to company specialists.

How is AI being used in Rimi’s online shopping?

Rimi is also implementing AI-driven smart recommendations for e-commerce. This system analyzes the contents of a virtual shopping cart to suggest missing ingredients for a recipe.

For example, if a customer adds pasta, minced meat, and tomato sauce to their cart, the AI could identify missing components and suggest them before the order is finalized.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the AI product recognition currently being tested?
The system is currently being tested in one Rimi store in Lithuania.

How much time does the technology save shoppers?
According to Vaidas Lukoševičius, shoppers save an average of 10 seconds for every item entered.

Which products does the AI recognize most often?
In the pilot store, the system most frequently recognizes bananas, cucumbers, and peppers.

Do you think AI-powered scales will become the standard for all grocery stores?