RFID Case Study: Fast4shop brings touch-free RFID self-checkout to Spanish pharmacy
As pharmacies look for ways to modernize the customer experience, reduce queues, and improve hygiene, Futurian saw an opportunity to introduce a new kind of self-checkout: one that is fast, contactless and powered by RFID.
With its Fast4shop solution, the Valencia-based tech startup launched a successful pilot at Juan Vindel Pharmacia in Madrid—the first pharmacy in Spain to offer a fully touch-free checkout system for non-prescription products.
Challenge
Traditional self-checkout solutions often rely on barcode scanners and touchscreens, which can lead to errors, slow user interaction and hygiene concerns—especially in environments like pharmacies. Additionally, systems typically lack the flexibility to handle item changes once a transaction has started and often require staff intervention. Futurian set out to build a seamless and intuitive self-checkout experience that addressed these issues from the ground up—with RFID as the key enabler.
Solution
Fast4shop is a complete end-to-end solution built on UHF RFID technology. It enables pharmacy customers to simply place products in a bin, remove or add items freely and finalize their purchase with a tap of their phone or payment card—without needing to touch a screen.
Each product is equipped with a passive UHF RFID tag. The Fast4shop system includes short-range RFID readers embedded in the checkout unit and deactivates anti-theft AM tags in the drawer POS without user intervention.
Customers benefit from a fast, hygienic shopping experience, while store staff can focus on assisting those who need personal advice or are purchasing prescription medications.
Technology in Use
To meet the reliability, size and performance requirements of a pharmacy environment, Futurian carefully selected proven RFID components provided by Cisper:- CAEN Lepton3x4 RFID modules were integrated into the Fast4shop checkout unit for precise, short-range item detection.
- Chainway C5 handheld RFID readers are used by store staff for quick and efficient inventory counts using a smartphone-connected sled.
Result
Within just three months, the pilot at the Madrid pharmacy demonstrated clear benefits:
- Fast transactions: Most purchases were completed in under 30 seconds—even by first-time users.
- Reliable operation: The system ran smoothly without staff intervention.
- Hygienic checkout: The fully touch-free process resonated well with customers seeking a clean, contactless experience.
- Loss prevention: RFID-AM-based exit control helped prevent and detect product loss.
- Efficient inventory management: Store staff used the Chainway C5 handhelds for fast and accurate stock checks, reducing the risk of out-of-stock situations.
Looking ahead
With Fast4shop now commercially available, Futurian aims to help more pharmacies and retailers create better self-service experiences. By combining RFID automation with a user-centric design, the system reduces friction while improving visibility and control.
Used Cisper products: