Orel launches SL’s first Multimodal Unmanned Centre in Makumbura

The store being ceremoniously opened by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa

Continuing its quest in designing a range of innovative products for the convenience of the people of Sri Lanka by integrating various smart technologies, Orel Corporation officially unveiled its newest, innovative venture recently, the opening of their second OrelBuy unmanned store at the Makumbura Multimodal Centre (MMC),which is the first-ever multimodal centre in the country. 

The store was ceremoniously opened by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa along with the presence of State Minister of State Ministry of Vehicle Regulation, Bus Transport Services and Train Compartments and Motor Car Industry Dilum Amunugama, Minister of Transport Gamini Lokuge and Orel Managing Director Kushan Kodituwakku. 

The OrelBuy unmanned store is contactless and can be accessed simply by downloading and scanning a QR code. Payment is convenient and fully digital with the award-winning OrelPay app. The OrelBuy unmanned store runs on the use of electronics, software and sensors that enables their goods to connect and exchange data through an online payment system. With no cash register, no waiting, and no staff, unmanned stores of this nature will become increasingly important in the current pandemic era and could be the solution for 24/7 supply in the future. 

The store is equipped with Orel Pay to facilitate cashless transactions. Customers can enter the shop with the Orel Pay app installed into their smart phones with a Unique QR code given to users at the entrance. Once the customer scans the QR code the entrance door will be automatically opened, which in turn opens into a glass cubicle which has RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) portals to scan on items. Once inside, customers has the freedom to shop and pick up their items as normal, where a LED screen and a bar code scanner will check the description of each selected item. The smart store also provides 24-hour uninterrupted service. Speaking at the opening of the event, President Rajapaksa stated that he is happy to see such innovative measures being initiated, that will truly boost not only business, but also offer safety, efficiency, and convenience for the people. He commended Orel in bringing the next evolution in retail to the country. 

Orel Corporation General Manager Chaminda De Silva said: “The future of retail is here and now, and this smart-store will completely change what it means for customers to take a trip to the store. Our aim is to offer customers convenience, and to support and reach out to people with busy lifestyles who want to buy fast and avoid queuing inside. It also offers safety in pandemic times such what we are faced with today. For the store owners these stores will mean lower labour costs, powerful data collection capabilities and greater operational efficiency.”

Determined to bring a new light to the digital era, while giving the public  access to a 24/7 self-service shopping experience in a safe environment, Orel Corporation who has been constantly researching to give birth to innovative solutions that uplift the lifestyle of its customers, once gain sets a benchmark and marks a new milestone in being the first in the country to take a proactive step to combine the best of brick and mortar with smart technologies, and to creating a dynamic new world of retailing. Orel plans in the future to extend such stores regionally, close to homes, workplaces and public places.

The first-ever multimodal centre in the country