10 retail technology investments that should be on your radar

These companies are leading the way in providing retail systems and experiences that are one step ahead of their customers’ expectations.

1. Farfetch

Online luxury fashion platform Farfetch has launched a virtual try on of watches tool via its iOS app, in a collaboration with Chopard.

2. Circle K

Convenience store chain Circle K is expanding its Pay by Plate technology to new markets.

This lets its customers pay for fuel using sign recognition and a mobile app.

3. American Furniture Warehouse

American Furniture Warehouse has rolled out AFW Room Planner, powered by the Marxent 3D Cloud.

Today on Retail Technology Innovation Hub: “AFW has always taken an innovative approach to furniture sales and marketing, it’s no surprise that the company was an early adopter of #3D,” Beck Besecker, CEO, and Co-Founder, Marxent. https://t.co/APUTlg8Jd6
— Marxent (@Marxent) April 23, 2021

4. Amazon

Amazon’s Key by Amazon In-Garage Grocery Delivery service is expanding to everywhere grocery delivery from the e-commerce giant is available, covering more than 5,000 US cities and towns.

Originally launched in five cities last November, the offering enables Prime members to have their Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market groceries dropped off inside their garage.

5. Papa John’s

Google Cloud and Papa John’s International have announced a new, multi-year commitment involving the latter’s digital and data cloud strategy.

The company will expand its work with Google to migrate its datacentres to Google Cloud, as it looks to meet a coronavirus powered surge in demand for online ordering and delivery, and boost the customer experience.

6. KFC

KFC UK & Ireland is using Peak’s artificial intelligence system to unlock value from its restaurant and core menu data.

The aim, according to a press release, is to “leverage rich data sources from across the business to build a holistic, predictive view of each item on the menu”.

7. schuh and New Look

schuh and New Look have signed up to InPost’s new QR code Instant Returns service.

This follows on from its launch with Missguided last month.

First we removed the queues. Now we’ve removed the labels. Introducing INSTANT RETURNS.

For the first time ever, online shoppers can drop off returns in TEN SECONDS without ANY labels being applied.

Head to our website to find out more.https://t.co/dojeQrbvZO pic.twitter.com/OQYpV4s8m6
— InPost UK (@InPostUK) March 26, 2021

8. Coles Group

Australian retailer Coles Group has partnered with RELEX Solutions on a project involving end-to-end supply chain planning for fresh produce categories as well as its long-term inventory planning capabilities

The RELEX solution, part of its Living Retail Platform, will service the retailer’s 850+ supermarkets nationally and its seven fresh produce distribution centres, with the aim of driving better customer service, reduced food waste, and improved supplier collaboration.

9. JD.com

Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com has been using China’s Digital Currency Electronic Payment, or DCEP, system to pay the salaries of some employees.

The digital currency is backed and overseen by the country’s central government.

JD made its announcement in a blog post while announcing its participation in the one-year DCEP trial show at the fourth Digital China Summit in Fuzhou.

This revealed that it has also tapped the DCEP solution in business-to-business payments to partner firms as well as cross-bank settlements.

10. Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City

Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City are hosting social media brands that originated as side hustles in 2020 in a bid to support small business as non-essential retail re-opens.

Shop windows will showcase the likes of bespoke tie dye accessories, Instagram-able hand-dipped candles, and sustainable paint, with participating brands including Tingle, Three Sisters Farm and Ava May.

London’s Side Hustle Heroes will be in play across both shopping centres until June, with a QR code available to scan on each store front, leading to company social channels and websites.