Last week’s biggest retail technology plays at a glance
RTIH rounds up the stand out retail systems deals, deployments and pilots from the past seven days. Featuring ASICS, Coles Group, Muffato, Coach, NASCAR, Amazon, Tesco, Trigo, Ocado Solutions, and Lotte Shopping.
ASICS
ASICS has dipped its toes into Web3 waters with the launch of the ASICS x Solana UI Collection.
Featuring custom made GT-2000 11 running shoes, customers will receive a loyalty ASICS Badge NFT with purchase, with a chance to receive an airdrop of a limited number of ASICS x STEPN GT-2000 NFTs.
The shoes are exclusively available to purchase with USDC digital dollar currency via Solana Pay here and available for pre-order for a five day period from 4th - 8th November.
This is the first ever globally distributed physical product available to order using USDC on Solana Pay.
Kinsman
3D Cloud by Marxent has announced a partnership with Kinsman, an Australian manufacturer and retailer of kitchens and wardrobes.
Kinsman's self-service room planner, powered by 3D Cloud by Marxent. is accessible from its website with users able to complete designs by working with its design experts.
Kinsman used its long-term sponsorship of The Block, a renovation reality show in Australia, to soft launch the new tool in the context of real remodelling situations.
Coles Group
Off the back of a pilot in Canberra, Australia earlier this year, Coles Group is expanding its drone delivery programme with operator Wing to its Gold Coast customers.
It says that it will be the first major supermarket to launch a store to door drone delivery concept in Australia.
Customers in the Gold Coast suburbs of Ormeau, Ormeau Hills, and Yatala will be able to the try out the new model, directly from the Coles store at Ormeau Village Shopping Centre.
The service will gradually expand to include other nearby suburbs, delivering 500 of the most popular Coles grocery items including bread, fresh produce, convenience meals, snacks, health care items, and household essentials.
These will be delivered to customers’ home within 10 minutes on average.
Coles team members will process and pack orders, and Wing staff will load the drones and oversee operation of the delivery service.
Brooks
Footwear brand, Brooks, has selected Illumio Core to reduce its risk from cyberattacks like ransomware.
Little Red Box
Grocerist has worked with Little Red Box on its new Shopify powered online store and digital marketing programme.
Muffato
Sensei reports that Muffato has adopted its AI platform for what is pitched as Brazil's first autonomous supermarket.
The Muffato Go store, which opens tomorrow and is situated in Curitiba, Paraná, comes without queues, self-scanning or any form of physical checkout, and is the first deployment of Portugal-based Sensei's technology outside of Europe.
Shoppers download Muffato’s app, which generates a QR code that enables them to enter the store, pick up their items and leave.
A network of sensors provides the input Sensei's AI needs to keep track of the items each customer selects and returns throughout the 250 square metre location.
Starship Technologies
Starship Technologies has launched its robot delivery service at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.
A fleet of 24 robots will be providing deliveries from campus merchants.
Starship is also launching a giveaway for students who take a selfie with the official ‘I Voted’ sticker.
They can upload their photos to Starship’s Instagram account and tag their school. One winner at each school will be randomly selected to choose a t-shirt, hat or tote bag from a newly launched line of Starship branded merchandise.
Coach
Coach has unveiled its first virtual shopping destination, with a focus on the holiday season.
Inspired by a vintage Coach store, the immersive experience allows guests to move throughout themed rooms, shop the holiday collection and play a game with Rexy, the house's mascot, to unlock special prizes.
Additionally, visitors will have the opportunity to shop via livestream videos alongside friends and influencers.
The virtual store, which is powered by Obsess, will feature Coach styles including the Tabby and Rogue, along with a dedicated section for holiday party bags and new giftable items, and a special collection featuring Rexy.
Countdown
New Zealand supermarket chain Countdown has launched an augmented reality campaign, Countdown Bricks Farm.
Working with Zappar, the retailer has unveiled a collectible campaign that encourages Kiwi kids to learn more about where their food comes from while also boosting customer engagement beyond the checkout and into their homes.
NASCAR and Amazon
NASCAR opened its first concession using Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology and Amazon One offering during NASCAR Championship Weekend (4th-6th November).
Fans at Phoenix Raceway will be able to purchase snacks and beverages without waiting in line at a checkout. This marks the first time Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology and Amazon One are being used at a professional racetrack.
Ocado Solutions and Lotte Shopping
Ocado Solutions and Lotte Shopping have announced a partnership to develop the latter’s online business in South Korea with the Ocado Smart Platform (OSP).
The pair will develop a network of customer fulfilment centres (CFCs) across the market, underpinned by the end-to-end capabilities of the OSP. Ocado's in-store fulfilment (ISF) solution will also be rolled out across Lotte's store estate.
Tesco
Tesco has announced an expansion of its GetGo autonomous stores trial, with Chiswell Street Express now open in central London.
There will also be another location in London and one in Birmingham, allowing customers to shop and pay without scanning a product or using a checkout.
Like Chiswell Street, these will also offer the option of using a self-service or attended checkout if preferred.
The sites in Fulham Reach Express in Parrs Way, London, and Aston University Express in Aston, Birmingham are due to open over the next few months.
Tesco launched its first GetGo store in High Holborn in October 2021, which will continue to offer a purely checkout-free model.
Shoppers need to download the Tesco app and select the GetGo option. They can then walk in and pick their shopping, before scanning their app as they walk out.
Continuing Tesco's partnership with Trigo, a combination of cameras and weight sensors will establish what customers have picked up and charge them for products directly through the app when they leave the store.
Claire’s
Claire's Stores has taken the wraps off ShimmerVille, a digital world to explore, work, play, shop and connect with friends.
ShimmerVille taps the Roblox platform to emphasise Claire's purpose of empowering self-expression and personal style.
The concept and development came through a partnership with interactive media and gaming company Wonder Works Studio, which Claire’s has invested in.
Continue reading…