Boxy

Boxy, operating under the legal entity Storelift, has established a notable presence in the autonomous retail sector since its inception in 2018. The company was founded by David Gabai and Tom Hayat, who brought together their respective expertise to address inefficiencies in traditional retail. Gabai's background includes experience at prestigious firms such as J.P. Morgan and the Boston Consulting Group, providing a strong foundation in finance and strategy. Hayat complements this with a technical background, having worked as a data scientist and co-founded an earlier venture, which informs the technological underpinnings of Boxy's offering. The venture secured significant early-stage funding, including a €5 million seed round and a subsequent €25 million Series A, enabling its technological development and market expansion.

The company's core business revolves around providing fully autonomous convenience stores, initially targeting residential areas in the Île-de-France region. These standalone stores, often converted from shipping containers, are equipped with a sophisticated array of cameras and sensors. This technological infrastructure allows for a completely frictionless shopping experience: customers enter using a QR code from the Boxy app, select their items, and simply walk out. The system automatically identifies the products taken and charges the customer's account, eliminating the need for checkout lines or cashiers. This model targets consumers seeking 24/7 access to everyday essentials, from groceries to prepared meals.

Building on its initial success with container stores, Boxy has diversified its business model by launching a B2B offering for professionals. This line consists of smart, connected modules—refrigerators and ambient shelving units—that function as plug-and-play micro-stores. The 'BOXY Fresh' module caters to fresh and prepared food items, while the 'BOXY Ambient' unit is designed for dry goods and non-food products. This solution is marketed to a wide range of professional clients, including corporate offices, hotels, transportation hubs, and healthcare facilities, allowing them to offer on-demand retail services within their own environments. This strategic pivot allows Boxy to leverage its proprietary technology to capture a broader segment of the automated retail market, generating revenue through the sale or lease of these modules and associated services.

Keywords: autonomous retail, computer vision, smart stores, frictionless checkout, automated commerce, B2B retail solutions, convenience stores, retail technology, self-service, micro-stores