Talabat unveils plans for interactive dark store

Talabat Egypt has unveiled plans for a new “miniature talabat mart dark store” designed to introduce e-commerce and logistics concepts to children.

The store will be launched within KidZania as part of a collaboration with the popular family entertainment centre. In a statement, the firms said the “miniature talabat mart” will enable kids to engage in real-life delivery service activities, such as receiving orders on a screen, selecting items from different sections, and delivering orders to customers within KidZania.

The store will include a variety of essential goods such as dairy products, juices, fruits, vegetables, and snacks, emphasizng the importance of quality standards as children engage in tasks that include checking product quality and expiry dates. This will enable children to explore various aspects of dark store operations, including packaging and delivery technology.

Speaking on the partnership, Mohamed Sekkina, General Manager of talabat Mart Egypt, said, “We hope this experience will help enhance their [children’s] skills, foster creativity, and better prepare them for the future workforce.”

Ahmed Habib, CEO of KidZania, added: “We believe this innovative activity will enrich our children’s experiences within KidZania and help them understand the importance of logistics operations and the supply chain’s challenges in the e-commerce world.”

The “Dark Store” is an innovative global concept that merges the functionality of warehouses with the convenience of supermarket services, providing its offerings exclusively online or through a company’s official application.  These stores feature aisles and shelves stocked with goods like a traditional store but without any shoppers.

Additionally, they include a section dedicated to receiving and storing goods, replacing the conventional customer reception area. Orders are efficiently filled and prepared for dispatch to customers, facilitating last-mile delivery to homes or other specified locations.