Another 10 promising retail technology ventures

RTIH recently brought you another 10 cool retail tech startups to watch in 2018, after our first listicle was a huge hit. And, shameless sequel purveyors that we are, we’re now hitting you with a third helping. Keep your eyes peeled for these 10 disruptive ventures…

Aura Vision Labs

Aura Vision Labs recently announced that it was progressing from the University of Southampton’s Future Worlds incubator and joining the Collider accelerator, after completing a £100,000 seed investment deal.

The venture has developed a deep learning system that can detect the gender, age and clothing styles of every person in a crowd. It uses computer vision and biometric identification techniques to analyse CCTV video footage, producing insights into customer behaviour that can help boost sales performance and loyalty. Further details here.

Nextail

Nextail has come up with a cloud-based platform that applies artificial intelligence to inventory management. Two years on from its launch, the venture made it onto the CB Insights list of startups transforming retail. Nextail currently operates in Spain, Russia, Italy, Brazil and the UK. Its clients are fashion and cosmetics retailers including Kiko Milano, Stefanel and Melon Fashion Group.

weview

RTIH recently interviewed Martin Wild, Chief Innovation Officer at MediaMarktSaturn Retail Group, who discussed projects with various startups at its technology accelerator. One of these involved weview, a platform for video reviews of products. “Our customers are now able to watch product reviews by weview members directly on MediaMarkt.de,” said Wild. 

store2be

Wild also revealed that collaboration is beginning with store2be. The startup markets vacant promotional and sales areas in shopping centres, shops and other premises like gyms and cinemas. store2be is now offering spaces in MediaMarkt and Saturn stores.

Slidr

Slidr uses a model that combines online shopping and gamification to give users discounts on luxury items and the latest high-end gadgets through a crowd discounting model. The company is part of a London accelerator programme co-ordinated by the UK Lebanon Tech Hub, a joint initiative by Banque du Liban (Lebanon’s Central Bank) and the UK government. 

Buy Buddy

Buy Buddy is the maker of Hitag, a smart apparel shopping tag and connected analytics platform that help retailers manage their inventories, customer behaviours and employee efficiencies.

Cerebel

Cerebel’s conversational search platform helps fashion brands and retailers to create engaging voice experiences for all their distribution channels.

Returnado

Returnado makes it easier for consumers to return their online shopping items and re-convert to new ones. Through the platform, they can handle their returns, exchanges, refunds and complaints.

Tooso

Tooso transforms e-commerce search engines into AI shopping assistants that adapt in real-time to the needs and the preferences of shoppers.

Tofugear

Tofugear recently worked with Japanese lingerie retailer Peach John. It helped the company, originally a mail order business, enter the Taiwanese market with a store and an app. Peach John reports that it sold through three months of its top SKUs within a week, while the app was downloaded 40,000 times (compared with just 10,000 in Japan over a four year period). 

If you think we’ve missed any promising startups, let us know: scott.thompson@retailtechinnovationhub.com