Nova Scotia Buzz
Aisle 24 is a small format grocery and convenience store chain that has its eye set on expansion to Halifax.
The big thing that sets an Aisle 24 apart from local competition is it’s cashier-less. Customers are granted access to the store through the Aisle 24 app on their phone and check-out their own items.
Aisle 24 was the idea of John Douang who grew up helping in his parents independent grocery store in Toronto. Douang has big expansion plans for Aisle 24 across Canada and it includes eight to ten stores in the Halifax area over the next five years plus expansion in multiple provinces which is currently underway.
“We experienced a lot of interest from the community in investment into this business model, and saw trends of people migrating to live in Nova Scotia.” said Douang “We feel the Aisle 24 service is very adaptable and will be a great service offering all over Canada including Halifax.”
Cory MacDonald, a native of Antigonish and graduate of Cape Breton University, will be Halifax’s first Aisle 24 franchise owner. He confirmed to Nova Scotia Buzz that it will open in The George, a new development on the corner of Robie and Pepperell Streets, one block from Quinpool Road and the Halifax Common.
MacDonald has been in retail management since the age of 20 working for giants such as Sobeys and Shoppers Drug Mart.
The products in an Aisle 24 location are based on demographics and as a customer you have the ability to request items be stocked.
The store is not totally staff-less. Employees will keep the shelves stocked and the store clean.
The technology coming to MacDonald’s Aisle 24 location is cloud based and gives him real time information on what’s selling and what’s not. He says he will be updating products constantly based on input from the community and data.
“For my self, I have worked in the grocery industry my entire life! Being a small business owner and helping serve my community by bringing a new and innovative way to shop is an exciting opportunity to be a part of.” said MacDonald. “I feel Halifax is becoming a major city and to be a part of bringing this new shopping experience is amazing opportunity for my family.”
Dependent on construction timelines, expect to see Halifax’s first Aisle 24 open toward the end of 2022 or early 2023.
