Ten retail technology investments that should be on your radar
These retailers and brands are leading the way in providing technology and experiences that are one step ahead of their customers’ expectations.
1. Bestseller
Bestseller brands Name It and Vero Moda have entered into a live shopping partnership with Bambuser.
2. M&S
Marks and Spencer has launched its first official alumni network, named M&S Family.
3. Bestway
UK wholesaler, Bestway, is officially making Jisp’s mobile technology available to all its retail partners and corporate stores following a trial period.
The pair partnered in November 2020, providing, via Jisp’s app, home delivery and Click & Collect services, with the trial officially commencing in January 2021.
4. adidas
adidas has opened its first ever flagship store in Dubai.
The 16,000 sq ft space, which made its debut last month, has 60 digital touchpoints, along with the MakerLab offering for bespoke creation and design of products, CrepProtect, a free shoe cleaning service and a Bring It To Me app feature.
The location also features smart mirrors, tapping RFID technology that provides information about products on the mirror.
5. Ocado
Ocado Group’s retail arm (aka its joint venture with Marks and Spencer) has launched its first mini fulfilment centre.
The Bristol site is 150,000 sq ft (about a quarter the size of its main warehouses), and can fulfil 30,000+ orders per week. Its storage grid can stock up to 50,000 products.
6. Ikea
Ikea is launching an augmented reality ‘escape room’ on Snapchat.
The campaign will be available throughout March.
7. Amazon
Amazon has opened a convenience grocery store in Ealing, West London, its first physical outlet outside of North America.
UK shoppers will for the first time be able to use the e-commerce giant’s Just Walk Out tech, which was pioneered at the Amazon Go offering in the States.
8. Urban Barn
Canadian retailer Urban Barn has launched a competition to promote its use of Hullabalook's Stickers technology.
Shoppers can win $10K worth of products by designing the room of their dreams with Stickers on Urban Barn’s website.
9. Ozon
Russian e-commerce venture, Ozon, has opened a new IT lab in St. Petersburg.
It plans to hire more than 300 developers and engineers at the facility in 2021, making it one of the largest tech employers in the city.
10. Frasers Group
Red Ant is working with Frasers Group to introduce in-store and remote services across its Flannels brand.
The likes of remote sales, in-store clienteling and virtual consultations will be arranged through Appointedd’s online booking system.
