Omantel and Oman Oil Marketing Company (OOMCO) have entered a partnership deal to accelerate digital transformation across Oman.
Under the arrangement, the two companies aim to enable the first Artificial Intelligence and IoT-powered Smart Store in Oman and in the Middle East, with an enhanced queue-free, cashless, and grab-and-go shopping experience.
Omantel will supply the necessary smart technologies while OOMCO will bring a new mix of products compatible with the store’s technologies, leading the retail and convenience store industry towards an enhanced, intelligent and cost-effective future.
Commenting on the partnership, Talal Said Al Mamari, CEO Omantel said, “Innovation forms the core of all Omantel operations and services. Oman is on a fast track to digitalization on every front. This MoU with OOMCO for the Smart Ahlain Store is one more step towards meeting Oman’s long-term digital transformation goals.”
Retail IoT is revolutionizing the way people shop, adding more ease to their experience as they do not have to wait at the billing counter or use cash or a card to check out. Combining Artificial Intelligence, smart shelf sensors, cameras and an app linked to a mobile wallet, the Ahlain Store concept is expected to become operational in the second half of this year.
Hussain Jama Bait Ishaq, OOMCO’s Acting CEO, said, “Our goal is to add value to all our customers’ lives and enrich their shopping experiences across all our services. Being the first smart store of its kind in the Middle East, the Smart Ahlain store provides a unique shopping experience where customers can pick up items off the shelves to be added to their virtual carts. Once they’re done, they can pay as they leave from their mobile devices and receive the payment receipt shortly after leaving. No queues, no waiting, only the ultimate ‘grab and go’ experience.
Located at the Omantel Headquarters in Madinat Al Irfan, the store will be equipped with in-store cameras that capture shoppers’ movements in the aisles, while the smart shelf sensors will track products that shoppers put in their baskets. Items chosen by shoppers will keep getting added to their virtual cart through an App, which Omantel is developing. Customers’ mobile wallets will be debited for the items purchased as they walk out of the store and a receipt sent to them electronically.
Omantel is helping virtualize the retail sector through its services expanding offerings to enable a digital economy functioning on the efficiency of smart technologies and improve user experiences. Powered by Omantel’s tech capabilities, this project underscores OOMCO’s values of innovation, customer-centricity, and mutual support, as well as its commitment to providing top-tier services and products to all its customer base. This move also shows the oil marketing company’s efforts to offer a safe one-stop shopping experience and build long-term partnerships with various industry leaders to support the country’s economic diversification.