An innovative Quebec construction company has launched its own automated tow truck solution, which has been in use in Bas-du-Fleuve since June last year.
• Also read: Grondines is moving into a supermarket without employees: the small community MRC Portneuf has developed its own solution
CAMM Construction, based in Saint-Léandre, near Matane, produces micro-apartments, shelters, sheds and garden furniture in the workshop, always in an “environmentally friendly” way, assures its CEO Camille Therrien-Tremblay.
After the village shop had to close its doors in 2021, the idea of the LIB Dépanneur was born.
“Saint-Léandre is 15 km from Route 132, the population of 360 inhabitants is aging and does not always use the latest technological devices. We said to ourselves: If it works here, it would work anywhere,” says Ms. Therrien-Tremblay.
“We offer structural and technical support. We can also offer a management contract if there is no one to take care of it,” explains the CEO.
The LIB concept also includes procurement, which still leaves room for 30% local products.
To avoid update and version compatibility issues, LIB uses a web application instead of a phone application. This approach allows passers-by easy access to the supermarket. It is very easy to use, emphasizes Ms. Therrien-Tremblay, and is similar to buying something online.
Protection
“We are in the process of optimizing the system. “We will offer a card and a self-service checkout for people who are not familiar with cell phones,” emphasizes the initiator of the concept.
The interior of the LIB Dépanneur supermarket in Saint-Léandre, near Matane. Photo provided by Camille Therrien-Tremblay
In order to benefit from complete autonomy – but also in the context of possible problems with access to the Internet in the region – the LIB concept works with Starlink. Satellite internet therefore also makes it possible to offer a WiFi access point.
As for the theft, some problems that arose at the beginning have been resolved, assures Ms. Therrien-Tremblay.
“You have to make a $1 transaction first so we get the customer’s name and bank information,” she says. There are 4K cameras and we are also developing an AI system for theft detection. Careless mistakes happen. We then send the customer a payment link and finally everyone pays.”
Next Steps
A version that features a shop on the farm is also in development.
Gas pumps and charging stations – two essential elements that are often missing in the region – will also be examined.
Like any convenience store, LIB offers non-alcoholic beverages, prepared meals, frozen products and pharmacy items. However, the sale of the most profitable elements of the trade, namely alcohol and cigarettes, is prohibited for minors.
“With cigarettes it's too complicated because you have to hide the product and I have a social conscience problem with that. But we are in the process of developing a solution with the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux,” explains Ms. Therrien-Tremblay.
The customer should then identify themselves online to a company manager, show their ID card and prove that they are of legal age.
Although the troubleshooter is autonomous, a human must always be available to provide technical support to the customer, which is why LIB is interested in offering a solution including management. Ms. Therrien-Tremblay estimates that between 15 and 20 hours per week need to be spent on management.
extension
Even if Saint-Léandre's experience is unique at the moment, intentions are manifesting themselves from all corners of the province, affirms the CEO.
“There are many communities that have the same problems as us. A supermarket owner must always be present. Succession and personnel are problems everywhere,” she says.
The interior of the LIB Dépanneur supermarket in Saint-Léandre, near Matane. Photo provided by Camille Therrien-Tremblay
LIB is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“We notice that there are more customers at night […] The experience is going well, we are recouping our costs,” says the businesswoman.
In fact, these costs are $150,000 for a supermarket and $100,000 for a store, amounts that may seem high for communities with a few hundred residents.
However, Camille Therrien-Tremblay does not believe that these costs are actually high.
“There are community assistance programs. Here we had a grant that covered 95% of the costs. The municipality offers us a parking space in the community center, which is already benefiting from snow removal. All that remains is the electricity that has to be paid for,” she concludes.
A different concept
The LIB initiative is not the only one in the world of autonomous trading.
In a slightly different directory, Ontario company Aisle 24 operates three self-service stores in Montreal, one in Laval and one in Quebec, in the MU apartment building on Laurier Boulevard.
The concept works via a phone application. On its website, Aisle 24 states that the cost of a franchise is $30,000 to $35,000. The investment for a small structure in a residential building is estimated at $175,000 to $255,000 or $350,000 to $575,000 for a community grocery store.
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