Six brands deploying innovative retail technologies
These companies are leading the way in providing technology and experiences that are one step ahead of their customers’ expectations.
1. Amazon makes voice shopping move in India
Amazon has deployed an Alexa-enabled shopping feature in India.
Customers will be able to use Alexa to search for items, add them to their carts and proceed to checkout. Once the order has been placed, they can check the whereabouts of the order through voice as well, by asking “Alexa, where is my delivery?”
2. foodora
Canadian food delivery service foodora has partnered with Tiny Mile, creator of the Geoffrey robot.
Named after computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton, this can carry up to 6 lb. in its ‘trunk’ (the approximate equivalent of an $80 takeout order) and travels at a maximum speed of 6 km/hour, delivering to a one-mile radius from a downtown Toronto restaurant within 15 minutes.
3. Starbucks
Starbucks mobile app users will soon be able to pay for their drinks with Bakkt Cash.
Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), parent company of Bitcoin derivatives provider Bakkt, previously announced that the retailer was looking at retail applications for crypto payments. And now Bakkt President Adam White has discussed the new integration on Twitter. The payment option is currently only in limited beta.
4. Dodo Pizza
Dodo Pizza has opened its 600th store. This is situated in China and is its second cashless "pizzeria of the future" in Hangzhou (payments go through its app on WeChat).
5. J.C. Penney
J.C. Penney has partnered with Checkpoint Systems on its ‘Brand-Defining Store’ in Hurst, Texas, USA.
This features styling rooms that are equipped with Checkpoint's InterACT Fitting Room solution and JCPenney Style @ Your Service technology.
6. Starship Technologies
US-based Starship Technologies has launched its robot delivery service in central Milton Keynes.
Robots will now deliver lunch to workers (using Starship’s mobile app) from such local vendors as Peels Juice Bar, Pepes Piri Piri, Bandit Street Food, Maaya Indian and Legend One Sushi Bar. More merchants will be added throughout March.
