Ten stand out retail technology investments
These retailers and brands are leading the way in providing technology and experiences that are one step ahead of their customers’ expectations.
1. Walmart
Walmart is to test out grocery deliveries to a HomeValet smart cooler placed outside of customers’ homes.
The big box retailer will kick off a pilot during the spring in its hometown of Bentonville, Arkansas.
2. AO
Online electricals retailer AO is using RELEX’s space planning solution for its first ever physical retail experience.
It is working on five store-within-a-store concepts as part of a six-month pilot with Tesco.
3. Asos
Online fashion retailer Asos will begin automation of its US fulfilment centre this year.
It has also signed a lease for a fourth fulfilment centre, situated in Lichfield, UK.
Asos made the announcements as it reported a surge in sales during the four months ending in December.
4. Covalent
Covalent, a fashion brand recently launched by Newlight Technologies, is using IBM Blockchain technology on IBM LinuxONE so consumers can track the carbon footprint and supply chain of its sustainable, AirCarbon-based accessories.
5. Flipkart
Walmart-owned Flipkart is partnering with more than 5,000 retail stores across India in an extension to its SuperCoin rewards programme.
SuperCoin Pay enables retail outlets from across fashion, groceries, food and beverages, travel, and health and wellness to register to begin accepting SuperCoin payments.
Customers will be able to pay the full value of their bills, both online and offline, at the aforementioned partner stores.
6. Audi UK
Audi UK has partnered with IBM to redesign its website.
The company’s digital transformation project unified its mobile and desktop shopping experiences, enabled by a cloud platform and supported by marketing insights data from Adobe Analytics.
7. Situ Live
Situ Live, a new experiential retail concept, will launch at Westfield London during the spring.
This will feature live theatrics and storytelling performances across six curated arenas: ‘Fitness & Wellbeing’, ‘Connected Home’, ‘Nutrition Kitchen’, ‘Entertainment’, ‘Home & Mobile Working’ and ‘On The Move’.
The aim is to allow consumers to connect with brands, with an emphasis on personalisation, picking products suited to their lifestyle, complemented by advice from Situ Live’s team.
8. ByTerry
Makeup and cosmetic brand By Terry has implemented Widen’s cloud-based digital asset management (DAM) solution, the Widen Collective.
9. A.S. Watson Group
A.S. Watson Group and mobile app venture Grab are laying claim to “the largest online and offline health and beauty partnership in Southeast Asia”.
The pair will collaborate across multiple services, starting with GrabExpress, GrabMart and GrabPay, to expand Watsons’ online reach in the region.
10. Kroger
Kroger is testing out Caper's artificial intelligence powered shopping cart at a Cincinnati store in the US.
Shoppers can use a KroGO branded smart cart to scan items and pay for them, eliminating the need to stand in line and checkout.
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