Ireland’s first automated vending machine store opens in New Ross – CSNA
The E-Kiosk represents a bold step in Ireland’s retail landscape, merging automation with human oversight to create a modern shopping experience
Print17 February 2025
A groundbreaking new convenience store has opened in Co Wexford, introducing a fully-automated, 24-hour shopping experience without traditional checkouts.
According to the CSNA (Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association), this E-Kiosk is the first of its kind in Ireland, blending automation with human support.
Variety of products
Situated in the Irishtown area of New Ross, the E-Kiosk offers a variety of products, from drinks and snacks to milk dispensed on demand from a specialist Co Waterford dairy farm.
The store’s owners emphasise that prices remain competitive with conventional grocery stores, with milk priced at €1.70 per litre.
Tomás Young of Proserve Solutions, the local technology company behind the venture, told CSNA that the idea stemmed from a trip to rural France six years ago.
Inspired by a similar model, he and his team developed proprietary technology to bring the concept to Ireland.
Young said: ““I think people have seen us all here over the last number of weeks so they know it’s not a human-less experience and we’re still here to help people, but it’s just a quicker, more convenient way of doing a sale.”
How it works
The store operates through vending machines, where customers select and pay for items using cash or card before retrieving their purchases from a designated unit.
While there are no counter staff, around 15 employees manage stock and technology, forming part of Proserve’s wider 80-person workforce.
According to CSNA, the response from the local community has been overwhelmingly positive.
Seán Connick of the New Ross branch of the County Wexford Chamber of Commerce highlighted the importance of adapting to retail changes.
“It’s a vote of confidence really from a commercial perspective, in the town,” Connick said.
New challenges
Connick noted that businesses must innovate to meet new challenges, and this concept reflects that shift.
While concerns about automation replacing human interaction exist, Connick reassured that staff are always available to assist customers when needed.
“I think going forward there will be lots of changes in commercial businesses and changes that we’ll have to adapt to and changes that we’ll go with,” Connick concluded.
Read more: CSNA’s guide to managing absences during extreme weather events
Related Articles
Public holiday entitlements and alcohol sale regulations for St. Patrick’s Day →
Fans 0
Followers