RTIH brings you this week's coolest retail technology plays
RTIH Editor, Scott Thompson, brings you his top ‘future of retail systems’ deployments from the past week, including AI powered healthy eating platforms, robot powered stores, and automated fulfilment centres.
Schnuck Markets
AI nutrition technology startup Spoon Guru has partnered with US supermarket chain Schnucks to develop and launch a new healthy eating platform.
Launched on 1st January, Good For You is free to all members of Schnucks Rewards.
Shoppers who choose to opt into the programme will be entered into sweepstakes to win Schnucks Rewards points and will have access to a fitness library and wellness tips via an app.
The platform has been developed using Spoon Guru’s technology alongside a nutritionist led categorisation of products according to government guidelines.
Tesco
Tesco is offering a new payment method to its 20 million Clubcard members.
They can now apply online following a phased Tesco Clubcard Pay+ launch which began in March 2021 with a limited number of customers and Tesco colleagues.
Shoppers can use a new debit card to pay, save and earn Clubcard points. Tesco is offering double Clubcard points for the first three months to pull people in.
Ikea
Ikea routed more than half of its order fulfilment through big box stores rather than customer distribution centres in 2021.
According to a a blog post by the retailer’s franchisee, Ingka Group, this practice will continue in 2022.
Ingka Group plans to open more stores and launch faster and more affordable and sustainable delivery options, such as Click and Collect in stores that are around one-fifth the cost of home delivery, and thousands of neighbourhood pick-up points.
JD.com
Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com has opened two automation powered ochama stores in the Netherlands.
These involve robots preparing parcels, and home delivery service.
The first two ochama pick-up shops are in Leiden and Rotterdam, with two more set to open in Amsterdam (Diemen) and Utrecht.
The Very Group
The Very Group, which operates online retailer Very.co.uk, reported a successful second peak for Skygate, its fulfilment centre in the East Midlands, UK, which opened the day the first national Covid lockdown began in March 2020.
It says that 8.3 million items were processed in total, all shipped with 80% recycled content in Very dispatch bags.
222,492 items processed on 2nd December was a new daily record. And the fastest order during Christmas 2021 was processed and despatched in 18 minutes and 31 seconds.
Skygate, meanwhile, ran on 100% renewable energy during peak for the first time.
The Very Group claims that high levels of automation mean the labour cost per unit at the facility is circa 60% lower compared with the company’s former fulfilment operation.
Missfresh
HomeValet
HomeValet has made its new Smart Box and app available for pre-order.
The contactless 24/7 delivery solution will first be offered to eligible Walmart InHome customers in select participating regions this January, with wider availability announced in early 2022.
Offering a temperature controlled and internet connected outdoor receptacle, the Smart Box enables unattended delivery of fresh groceries and packages directly to consumers’ front door steps.
Through HomeValet’s mobile app and subscription service, consumers will be able to customise, manage, monitor, and remotely control their Smart Boxes.
Watsons
Watsons has announced an exclusive partnership with Amazon in Singapore to launch a dedicated storefront on its e-commerce marketplace.
The health and beauty retailer’s customers can now get products direct to their doorsteps via Amazon Prime’s free two-hour scheduled delivery service.
Wakefern Food Corp.
Israel-based computer vision startup Trigo has announced a partnership with Wakefern Food Corp., the largest retailer owned cooperative in the US which owns and operates 257 supermarkets under the ShopRite and PriceRite banner.
In a LinkedIn post, Trigo says: “This year we will help Wakefern convert and develop hi-tech store formats that are exclusive to their brands, accelerate their growth, and pave the way for frictionless shopping at US customers’ favourite supermarket brands across the eastern US seaboard.”
It adds: “Through this partnership, US-based independent retailers can compete with multinational retailers and global tech giants alike on cutting-edge shopping experiences.”
Walmart
Walmart has launched a new consumer shopping tool, Shop By Diet, which helps in-store or online shoppers with allergies or dietary constraints determine what to purchase via a website or QR code.
This is powered by Sifter technology and rolls out this week.
