Seven innovative retail technology deployments

These retailers and brands are leading the way in providing technology and experiences that are one step ahead of their customers’ expectations.

1. X5 Retail Group

Russian food retailer X5 Retail Group and French tech accelerator Lafayette Plug and Play (LP&P) have released the interim results of their innovation scouting tie up.

In December 2019, Х5 became an anchor partner of the LP&P platform by signing a three-year agreement. It has now been awarded LP&P’s Corporate Innovation Award, based on the number of pitch sessions held, pilot projects considered and commercial contracts signed.

2. Diesel

Diesel has launched Hyperoom, a digital platform and exhibition space conceived by parent company OTB with the support of Accenture. The aim is to create “immersive and emotional engagements” with buyers and vendors.

3. Samsung

Go Instore is partnering with Samsung to launch a live HD video streaming platform.

This allows online customers to connect with Samsung staff members from their own homes. They can explore the brand’s range and receive advice to help support their purchasing decision.

4. DPD

Parcel delivery firm, DPD, is to partner with the London EV Company (LEVC) for a series of road trials ahead of the launch of the company's VN5 Electric Van later this year.

5. JD.com

Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com is working with Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation on augmented reality technology that measures shoppers’ foot sizes.

Set to be released soon, this will leverage Sony’s ToF (Time-of-Flight) distance measurement technology so that customers can use their mobile phones (which need to be equipped with a ToF camera) to scan the front and side angles of their feet.

6. Glovo

Barcelona-based on-demand delivery startup Glovo has partnered with carbon credit marketplace, Pachama, to offset carbon emissions from cars and motorbikes.

It will purchase an initial 30,000 tonnes of carbon credits — certificates representing one tonne of carbon dioxide or the mass of another greenhouse gas (GHG) — from Pachama for verified forest carbon projects.

The company, which has emerged as a major player in online food delivery over the last few years, with more than $510 million in VC backing, says that this will offset its carbon footprint by 25% by the end of 2020.