Retail Without Limits: The Next Generation of Onboard Shopping for Rail

For years, I’ve imagined how we could bring true convenience to onboard retail. Rail travel is meant to be seamless, but the food and beverage experience hasn’t always kept up.

Picture this: A busy commuter boards her morning train, juggling her laptop bag and luggage. She wants a coffee and a fresh pastry to start her day, but leaving her seat means risking losing her spot, carrying everything with her to the restaurant car, or standing in a queue. Instead, with just a few taps on her phone, she places an order and minutes later, a crew member delivers her breakfast directly to her seat.

This isn’t a future concept - it’s happening today with our customers, thanks to Omnevo’s Order-to-Seat module. It’s a product I had the privilege to design and develop, working with our team to transform rail retail.

The Challenge: Modernising Rail Retail

Onboard retail has long been a challenge in rail travel. Passengers face inconveniences like navigating to the restaurant car, waiting in queues, and being unsure of menu options. Meanwhile, train operators and crew struggle with inventory waste, inefficient workflows, and limited ability to personalise service.

I saw an opportunity to bridge this gap. With Omnevo’s Order-to-Seat technology, passengers can now:

• Browse real-time menus from their own devices
• Place orders with full visibility of available stock
• Choose between seat delivery or pickup from the restaurant car
• Avoid unnecessary movement and long queues
• Enjoy a smoother, more relaxed journey

For the crew, the benefits are equally transformative:

• Smarter stock management: Real-time inventory updates prevent overstocking and reduce waste
• More efficient workflows: Crew members can allocate their time more effectively instead of manually managing orders
• Enhanced customer service: With reduced pressure, staff can offer a more attentive, premium-level service
• Integrated logistics and fulfilment: Train operators can leverage Omnevo’s logistics and fulfilment platform to streamline stock replenishment, optimise onboard storage, and ensure timely restocking of in-demand items.
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Beyond Coffee: A Personalised Shopping Experience at Every Seat

While the commuter’s coffee and pastry is a perfect example, the possibilities for onboard retail go much further. This technology adapts to various passenger needs throughout the day:

• ‍Business travellers can order a fresh meal and drink before a meeting, ensuring they stay productive without interruptions.‍
• Families with children can easily get snacks and meals without navigating the train with restless kids.‍
• Tourists on long journeys can explore meal combos and beverages tailored to different legs of the trip.‍
• First-class passengers can enjoy an upgraded experience with premium, pre-ordered selections delivered seamlessly.‍
• Late-night travellers can grab a quick, warm meal without worrying about limited stock or missing out due to early restaurant closures.
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A More Sustainable Rail Experience

Beyond convenience, Order-to-Seat drives meaningful operational improvements for train operators:

• Reduces food waste by enabling real-time stock visibility and smarter restocking decisions
• Encourages higher sales by offering personalised promotions and dynamic pricing
• Optimises onboard space by minimising overcrowding in restaurant areas
• Seamless inventory management: By integrating with Omnevo’s logistics and fulfilment platform, train operators can forecast demand more accurately, automate supply chain processes, and reduce the burden on onboard staff.
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Bringing Innovation to Rail Travel

By leveraging digital technology, we’ve not only made onboard retail more convenient but also helped train operators unlock new revenue opportunities, reduce waste, and enhance overall passenger satisfaction.

This is just the beginning. As we continue developing next-gen digital solutions, I’m excited to see what’s next for onboard hospitality. The days of passengers missing out on their preferred food or struggling with inconvenient dining options are over -welcome to a seamless, digital-first future of rail retail.

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