Question 1

What does a Smart Store cost the building?

Accepted Answer

Nothing. A Smart Store is a partnership, not a purchase. There is no upfront cost, no lease, and no monthly fee. We supply, install, and own the Smart Store, and we stock and service it ourselves. The Smart Store plugs into a standard outlet and draws about as much as a commercial fridge, a small cost the building hosts. In return, we provide a machine-backed Smart Store credit that residents can use, once a quarter or once a year.

Question 2

Who services and restocks the Smart Store?

Accepted Answer

We do, entirely. SMV stocks the Smart Store, cleans it, and services it on a regular route sized to how busy your building is. Your property manager and staff do nothing. If a product sells out, our route notices and restocks it. If something is not selling, we swap it for something that does. Keeping the Smart Store full, clean, and working is our job, not yours.

Question 3

What happens if it breaks?

Accepted Answer

We fix it, fast and in person. We are GTA-local and owner-operated, so you reach the people who run the company rather than a ticket queue. If a Smart Store has a fault, we come out and resolve it. Because we own the hardware and run the service, repairs and maintenance are entirely our cost and our responsibility, not the building's.

Question 4

How are payments and resident data handled, and is it private?

Accepted Answer

A resident taps a card or phone, takes what they want, and is charged automatically for those items. Card payments are processed through the payment system, and we do not store full card numbers. On privacy, the important point is what the Smart Store does not do. It uses product recognition, not facial recognition. There is no camera analyzing people, no age or gender estimation, and no resident images or biometric data are stored. The only record of a visit is the item taken and the payment for it. We can provide your board a plain data-handling summary and a Privacy Impact Assessment on request, aligned with PIPEDA and Canadian privacy guidance.

Question 5

What are the contract and exit terms?

Accepted Answer

We start every partnership with a 90-day trial. If residents do not love the Smart Store, we remove it and restore the space, at no cost and with no penalty. Beyond the trial, the agreement is a straightforward service partnership with a clean exit and an indemnity to the building. SMV is a fully insured business, and our coverage protects the building. For condo corporations, we provide a board-friendly version with a one-page note on the Section 97 approval path. We design the terms so a board can approve with confidence rather than worry about being locked in.

Question 6

How much space and electricity does it need, and who pays for power?

Accepted Answer

A Smart Store is about the footprint of a large fridge, so it fits comfortably in a lobby corner, a break room, a tenant lounge, or a common area. It needs a standard power outlet nearby. The electricity draw is modest, similar to a commercial refrigerator, and the building hosts it. In return, we provide a machine-backed Smart Store credit that residents can use, once a quarter or once a year. We confirm the exact spot and the outlet during the fit check.

Question 7

How is the product selection chosen and kept relevant?

Accepted Answer

We curate the selection for your building type and then tune it to what your residents actually buy. A student community, a condo lobby, an office, and a warehouse each get a different mix. We start with drinks, snacks, and forgot-it essentials like chargers and basic hygiene items, then adjust based on real sales. Strong sellers get restocked, weak ones get swapped, and the mix shifts with the seasons and how your building moves through the year. You never manage any of this, but you can always tell us if residents are asking for something specific.

Frequently asked questions.

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