Areas, a global leader in food & beverage and travel-retail, has opened two fully automated stores under On Your Way name, in the United States and Spain, revolutionizing the travel retail experience for passengers and staff alike. These pioneering initiatives reflect the company’s ongoing commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance the travel experience while optimizing operational efficiency.
Automated store at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, Spain
The first On Your Way automated store has opened in Terminal 4’s satellite terminal at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, making it the first fully automated store at a Spanish airport. This innovative store enables travelers to shop seamlessly by linking their credit card to their unique profile, eliminating the need for manual scanning or payment processes.
Upon entering the store, customers simply use their credit card to unlock the entrance. Inside, over 30 cameras track their movements and, with the help of advanced weight sensors on each shelf, automatically log the products selected. When the customer exits, the system automatically charges the linked credit card for the items they’ve chosen, ensuring a fast, interruption-free shopping experience.
The store offers a curated selection of products, including food and beverages, travel essentials, kids’ toys, and personal hygiene items.
“This automated store is a further step in transforming the travel retail experience,” said Sergio Rodríguez, CEO of Areas Iberia. “Our commitment to innovation allows us to offer streamlined and convenient solutions that meet the evolving needs of today’s travelers.”
The opening also strengthens Areas’ presence at Madrid-Barajas, where the company has secured the largest concession in the history of Spanish airports, with control over 70% of estimated sales from the recent tender.
Automated store at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, USA
In addition to its Spanish location, Areas will open another On Your Way fully automated store at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) on March 17, 2025, in the new Concourse E extension. As the world’s busiest airport in passenger volume, ATL provides the ideal environment for this cutting-edge 24/7 retail experience, which offers a variety of travel convenience items, from beverages and snacks to pre-packaged sandwiches and salads.
The store uses AI-powered computer vision technology developed by AiFi, Inc., which tracks shoppers and recognizes products as they are selected. The system is integrated into Areas’ Oracle point of sale, providing a completely frictionless experience. Shoppers are automatically charged for their items without the need for manual checkouts, and receipts are available instantly if requested.
“We’re incredibly excited to launch On Your Way at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport,” said Sal Mendola, Director of Brands & Concepts for Areas. “Now more than ever, our guests expect quick, seamless solutions. We’ve worked tirelessly with our partners at AiFi to curate an autonomous solution that transforms the convenience retail experience, allowing our guests to get in, out, and on their way with ease.”
Ingo Nehls, Director of IT for Areas USA, added, “We are proud to deliver this cutting-edge technology that is revolutionizing the travel retail experience. This innovative leap in technology will reshape the way we think about travel retail, providing a seamless, personalized experience that brings us one step closer to the future of retail.”
A Commitment to Innovation
These two store openings reinforce Areas’ dedication to transforming the travel-retail sector with state-of-the-art technology. The company continues to lead the way with innovative solutions like SELF, the world’s first AI-powered robotic restaurant, which opened at Barcelona-El Prat Airport in January 2025.
With a global workforce of 20,000 employees, Areas is redefining the traveler experience and leading the charge in the evolution of airport retail.