Six innovative retail technology initiatives

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

1. Starbucks

Starbucks now allows its customers to trace the origins of its coffee using Microsoft's blockchain solution.

Customers buying coffee at Starbucks stores across the US will be able to use a code on the bags to find out where their beans came from, where they were roasted and even get brewing tips from baristas.

2. Primark

Primark has launched its first ever mobile game, Primark Legends.

Players are cast as a newly hired assistant in a Primark store. Tasks include helping customers find the clothes they're after, keeping the shelves well stocked and neat and tidy and cleaning up any spills and messes.

You have to complete each working day with a five-star rating from your boss. There are three intensity levels that are meant to represent real life stores.

3. Amazon

Amazon has opened its first ever Amazon Fresh grocery store, in Woodland Hills, California, including the Amazon Dash Cart, which enables customers to skip the checkout line, and new Alexa features to help people manage their shopping lists and better navigate the aisles.

4. Walmart

Walmart will launch its Amazon Prime competitor Walmart+ on 15th September.

This costs $98 a year or $12.95 a month and comes with a 15-day free trial period. The offering includes the likes of unlimited free deliveries of groceries and general merchandise, discounts on fuel at Walmart gas stations, and in-store use of Scan & Pay in the retailer’s app.

5. Giant Eagle

Grabango has announced the first commercial use of its checkout-free system.

The startup has partnered with Giant Eagle, owner of GetGo Café+Market in the US, with its tech first being made available at a store in Fox Chapel, which serves the Greater Pittsburgh community.

6. Homebase

Online retailer The Hut Group’s e-commerce services division, THG Ingenuity, has inked a 10-year, ‘multi-million pound’, digital transformation deal with Homebase.

The British home and garden retailer will have access to THG Ingenuity’s proprietary end-to-end e-commerce solution to replace current systems.