Inspiration and ideas
Store opening with a robot: a scenario that creates a queue at the door
· 5 min read
A store opening has a single goal: to get people who were just passing by to come inside. Balloons and a hostess no longer do that. A humanoid robot in front of the entrance does. Here is the opening-day scenario we have tested in shopping centres and on pedestrian streets.
What the robot really does at an opening
A robot in front of the entrance is a magnet for eyes. People slow down, stop, take out their phones. That is exactly the moment when it is easiest to invite them inside. The robot does not sell, the robot opens the door. Your team then does the selling.
The second role is content. An opening with a robot produces dozens of stories from passers-by that day and your own video for social media, which gets far greater reach than the classic "we are open".
The opening-day scenario
An hour before opening: the robot in front of the entrance
The robot stands in front of the closed store, waves to passers-by and builds anticipation for the opening. The first queue forms before the ribbon is even cut. This is the moment for the photographer.
Opening: the robot cuts the ribbon
The robot cuts the ribbon together with the owner or store manager, or hands over the scissors, opens the door and welcomes the first customers. A short, photogenic moment that goes to the local media.
The first hours: welcoming and photos
The robot welcomes people at the entrance, poses for photos with customers and at regular intervals dances a short choreography that draws in more people. We recommend a performance every twenty to thirty minutes, with welcoming in between.
Afternoon: the robot inside the store
The robot moves inside, presents a selected product or stands by the main shelf. Customers take photos with the product and the robot. Suitable for electronics, automotive, fashion and food and drink.
Ideas by type of store
- Electronics and technology: the robot hands customers the new product, showing that the brand is at home with technology.
- Car showroom: the robot stands by the new model and opens the car door for the first prospective buyers.
- Fashion: the robot in a piece from the new collection, a photo wall with the store's hashtag.
- Food, drink and cafes: the robot welcomes people at the entrance and hands out samples, service stays with the staff.
- Shopping centre: the robot walks through the centre to the store and brings people from other floors.
What needs to be prepared
Consent from the venue operator if it is a shopping centre. A level area in front of the entrance and a socket for charging. A photographer or camera operator if you want professional content, otherwise your team's phone is enough. The robot comes with an operator who takes care of movement, safety and batteries.
Price
Robot rental starts from 1 000 € per day with an operator for a multi-day rental, excluding VAT. A one-day opening, the scenario and transport are priced according to the venue and programme, and we send the offer within 24 hours. A refundable deposit is charged with the rental. For openings of several stores across Slovakia we offer a roadshow at a better rate.
