Guide · Cost & profitability
What does an unmanned store cost?
The cost has two parts — a recurring platform fee and the hardware as a one-off investment. Here we go through what an unmanned store actually costs, what drives the price up or down, which running costs come on top and when an unmanned store pays off — plainly and without numbers we can't stand behind.
Two cost parts: platform and hardware
Working out the cost of an unmanned store is simpler than many think, because the cost comes down to just two parts. One is a recurring platform fee for the system that handles access, self-scanning, payment, receipts and accounting. The other is the hardware — the one-off investment that makes the store self-running.
With JOBBS the platform starts at SEK 595/month and the controller that opens the door costs SEK 3,995 once. Those are the two items to plan around. Because the customer scans and pays on their own phone, you don't buy a cash register and a card terminal — the whole checkout sits in the customer's pocket.
The two parts
What you actually pay for
Cost overview
One-off cost vs monthly cost
A simplified overview by store type. The JOBBS prices are fixed; the items for lock, fridge and screens vary with the store. Treat it as a starting point — not a quote.
| Store type | One-off cost | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small store / kiosk / farm shop | Controller SEK 3,995 + electric lock if needed | Platform from SEK 595/month |
| Store with chilling (e.g. farm shop with a fridge) | Controller SEK 3,995 + lock + lockable fridge | Platform from SEK 595/month |
| Larger store / several doors | Controller per door + lock + optional screens | Platform from SEK 595/month (per unit varies) |
Want exact figures for your store? See all pricing or book a demo and we'll work it out together based on your space and assortment.
What affects the price
What drives the cost up or down
The price of an unmanned store isn't a fixed sum — it follows the store. Four factors explain most of the difference between a cheap and a more expensive installation.
Running costs
What comes on top of the monthly fee?
Few and predictable items. What disappears is the in-store staff cost during unmanned hours — that's the whole point of the model.
Does an unmanned store pay off?
The question isn't primarily what an unmanned store costs, but what it replaces. A staffed hour carries wages, employer contributions and often unsocial-hours pay — and is therefore far more expensive than an unmanned hour, which only carries platform and operating cost. That difference is what the whole profitability calculation hinges on.
Most stores have hours when footfall doesn't carry a shift: early mornings, late evenings, weekends. With staffed operation those hours are either closed or run at a loss. An unmanned store makes them sellable at a low, predictable fixed cost. Once sales in the new opening hours exceed the fixed cost, the calculation flips — and many stores reach that break-even quickly because the fixed cost is low to begin with.
- A staffed hour costs more than an unmanned one — Staff is the heaviest item in retail. An unmanned hour only carries platform and operating cost — a fraction of a staffed hour with wages, employer contributions and unsocial-hours pay.
- Low-footfall hours become profitable — Most stores have hours when footfall doesn't carry a shift — early mornings, late evenings, weekends. Unmanned operation makes those hours sellable instead of closed.
- Fixed costs, variable sales — The platform fee is low and predictable, the hardware is a one-off. Once sales in the new opening hours exceed the fixed cost, the calculation flips — and many stores reach that break-even quickly.
Exactly when an unmanned store becomes profitable depends on your space, your assortment and your opening hours — that's not something we can promise with a general number. But the logic is robust: a low fixed cost, no staff cost during unmanned hours, and new sellable hours that were otherwise closed. A deeper walkthrough of the whole investment is in our guide to starting an unmanned store.
Skip the costs a staffed store has
Part of the calculation is what you don't need to buy. In an unmanned store the customer pays on their own phone, so there's no cash register and no fixed card terminal to invest in. A compliant receipt is still created under the Cash Register Act, and sales are booked continuously with SIE4 data — the accounting is part of the platform rather than a separate system you buy and connect.
Want to see exactly which hardware suits your store? Look at the hardware, compare with the figures on the pricing page, or read more about how an unmanned store connects from door to accounting.
FAQ
Cost & profitability — questions and answers
What does it cost to start an unmanned store?
The cost has two parts: a recurring platform fee and the hardware as a one-off investment. With JOBBS the platform starts at SEK 595/month and the controller that opens the door costs SEK 3,995 once. On top of that comes optional hardware — electric lock, fridge, screens — based on the store's size and assortment. Because the customer pays on their own phone, you don't buy a cash register or a card terminal.
Is an unmanned store profitable?
It can be, and the logic is simple: a staffed hour costs far more than an unmanned one, which only carries platform and operating cost. Most stores have hours when footfall doesn't carry a shift — unmanned operation makes those hours sellable instead of closed. Once sales in the new opening hours exceed the fixed cost, the calculation flips. Exactly when that happens depends on your space, your assortment and your opening hours.
How much does BankID cost?
Verifying the customer with BankID goes through a BankID provider and may carry a cost per verification or a service fee, depending on setup and volume. It's a variable item that follows the number of visits. We'll go through what applies to your store during a demo.
What does the hardware for an unmanned store cost?
The only hardware always needed is the controller that opens the door, and it costs SEK 3,995 once with JOBBS. Beyond that the door needs an electric lock — an electric strike or motor lock — and internet. If the door already has an electric lock, the controller simply wires in. If not, an electrician handles the installation, typically around SEK 20,000–30,000 including the lock itself (a one-time cost via our installation partners, not a fee from us). If needed, a lockable fridge or freezer and screens are added. The customer scans and pays on their own phone, so there's no cash register or card terminal to buy.
Are there running costs beyond the monthly fee?
Yes, but they're few and predictable. Beyond the platform fee come BankID verification, the payment provider's fee per transaction (just like a regular card terminal) and ordinary operating costs such as power and internet to the controller. There's no in-store staff cost during unmanned hours — that's the whole point of the model.
What drives the cost up or down?
Store size is the single biggest factor: a small kiosk or farm shop gets by with one door and a small assortment, while a larger store needs more hardware. A fridge and freezer add cost if you sell chilled goods, and every additional door that lets customers in needs its own controller and lock. The size of the assortment mostly affects the time to set up items, rarely the hardware.
Do I need to buy a cash register and card terminal?
No. In an unmanned store the customer's phone is the whole checkout — the customer scans their items and pays on the phone, and a compliant receipt is created under the Cash Register Act. You skip both a cash register and a fixed card terminal, which keeps the one-off investment down compared with a staffed store.
Run the numbers on your store
Book a demo and we'll go through investment, running costs and profitability for your specific space and assortment — and show the whole flow from BankID at the door to finished accounting.
Book a demo