Ten retail technology investments you need to know about
These retailers and brands are leading the way in providing technology and experiences that are one step ahead of their customers’ expectations.
1. Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola recently teamed up with DroneUp and Walmart to launch its Coca-Cola with Coffee product in the US, delivering samples to residents of Coffee County, GA via drones.
2. Walmart
Walmart is set to install micro-fulfilment centres next to and inside some of its stores.
These will use autonomous robots to fetch the likes of boxed and frozen food for online orders.
Human workers will handle more complex tasks such as choosing fresh produce or larger items. Orders will then be picked up at the store by customers or delivery workers.
3. Oasis
Imagr's SmartCarts have gone live at an Oasis supermarket store in Nakanoshima, Osaka, Japan.
The intelligent shopping trolley taps computer vision and AI technologies.
Customers can pair their phone with a cart, do their shopping and leave without scanning any barcodes.
4. Fung Group
IBM and the Fung Group have announced a multi-year agreement to support the latter’s overhaul of its IT infrastructure, enabled by hybrid multicloud and backed up by IBM Global Technology Services (GTS).
5. Amazon
Amazon is expanding its Amazon One palm reading biometric identification system to three more Amazon Go stores in Seattle.
6. Ocado
Ocado is testing out electric and pedal-powered vehicles to deliver groceries.
The trial is operated by its Zoom rapid delivery service and is based out of the retailer’s flagship site in Acton, west London.
7. Carrefour
Carrefour has chosen Pricer as its preferred electronic shelf labels supplier.
Pricer will equip and upgrade in-store communication and management systems in all store formats across France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Romania, Poland, Brazil, Argentina and Taiwan.
8. Zozo
Japanese online fashion retailer Zozo has launched skin tone measuring glasses for ordering cosmetics online.
9. Infinite by SUKU
Traceability solutions specialist, SUKU, has released Infinite, a new blockchain powered iOS app for sneaker collectors and resellers.
Aiming to combat the $450 billion dollar counterfeit sneakers market, this allows people to verify the authenticity of a shoe, activate an NFC enabled tag, and attach it physically to the shoe.
10. Capgemini Invent
Capgemini Invent has partnered with SharpEnd and The Drum on the launch of a new interactive retail store, CornerShop.
Located on the ground floor of The Drum Labs in Shoreditch, London, this taps various innovative technologies to reimagine food, drink and fashion experiences.
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