RTIH runs through 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 food delivery within 10 minutes, blockchain powered supermarkets, robots on university campuses, and wine related augmented reality experiences (hic).
Zomato
India’s Zomato will next month begin delivering food in 10 minutes in its home city of Gurugram, in what is being pitched as an industry first. The company is calling this new service, Zomato Instant.
Walmart Canada
Robotic technology from GreyOrange will be used at Walmart Canada’s new $118 million sortable fulfilment centre in Rocky View County, Alberta, located just outside of Calgary.
The facility will be capable of: shipping 20 million items annually from the facility to Walmart customers; storing 500,000 items to fulfil direct to home and in-store pickup orders; and designed to optimise packaging, minimise waste and reduce transportation costs.
It is slated to open in September and is part of Walmart Canada’s $3.5 billion investment to make the online and in-store shopping experience simpler, faster and more convenient for its customers.
Accolade Wines
Accolade Wines' Australian brand Banrock Station has unveiled an augmented reality (AR) experience whereby users scan a label on a wine bottle with their camera and take a trip around the world to check out some of the company’s 130+ environmental projects.
They can also plant their own virtual tree in support of Banrock’s commitment to planting 100,000 native trees and shrubs every year.
Powered by Zappar’s WebAR technology, the experience works in any modern smartphone’s browser, with no app download required.
It also features links to more information on the range of Banrock Station wines and the 4,700 acre vineyard on the banks of the Mighty Murray, Australia’s largest river.
Kroger
The Kroger Co. and NVIDIA have announced a strategic collaboration involving artificial intelligence powered applications and services.
The pair will build an AI lab and demonstration centre.
The aim is to expand Kroger’s freshness initiatives, improve shipping logistics and create a better shopping experience in stores through digital twin simulations — virtual models designed to accurately reflect store layouts and other operations.
Hogan
Exclusible, a platform for luxury NFTs and upscale metaverse activations, and Italian luxury brand Hogan have announced a collaboration.
With Fashion Week entering the Decentraland metaverse, the pair will debut the Hogan Untraditional NFT Collection at a special Hogan-X afterparty on 26th March.
The event will present what is pitched as the first ever dance competition in the virtual world, with prizes consisting of POAPs, pre-sale NFT spots and exclusive NFTs, and hosted by DJ Bob Sinclar.
The NFT project will be curated by Braw Hause. Artists include Silvio Rondelli, Yoann De Geetere, Linear, Vincent Ghiotti and Finn Berenbroek.
The collection is described as happy, edgy and immersive, aligning with Hogan’s DNA traits, and it celebrates the “Untraditional” re-edition of the brand’s first ever sneaker.
Shopify
Central Retail Corporation
Zipmex, a Southeast Asia-based digital asset platform, has teamed with Thailand’s Central Retail Corporation (CRC), to launch a blockchain powered supermarket, connecting consumers to the metaverse.
Stephane Coum, CEO at Central Food Retail under Central Retail, says: “This partnership reimagines Southeast Asian retail. We plan to tap into the retail potential of the metaverse, a world that runs on digital asset infrastructures such as crypto and NFTs.”
“We see enormous potential to enhance shopper experience and lifestyle through convenient, seamless, and interactive access to products and services.”
“The Covid-19 pandemic is also a key driver in re-shaping shopping behaviours as more people shop online, accelerating the development and uptake of new technologies and innovations in the retail space.”
Promart Homecenter
Peruvian home improvement chain, Promart Homecenter, has become the first company in Latin America to offer one one one, on-demand live streaming sales consultations from eyezon.
Emplifi
Emplifi has launched new interactive live video streaming software, Emplifi ShopStream by Go Instore.
With ShopStream, retail and direct-to-consumer brands can connect with customers through both one-to-one and one-to-many livestream video.
For the customer, this software allows them to participate in a livestream video and interact in real-time with the host or advisor.
It enables brands to go live in minutes and scale across multiple channels in the following ways: stream on all major social platforms, including TikTok, Instagram and YouTube; go live to customers with relevant content while they’re shopping on the brand’s site in real-time; schedule and promote special events from dedicated landing pages.
DBS
Chilean company DBS is offering its customers a digital beauty experience powered by Perfect Corp.'s artificial intelligence and augmented reality solutions.
They will now gain access to a virtual skin assessment, and tailored skincare product regimen recommendation, generated based on various skin concerns.
Shoppers will also be able to leverage Perfect Corp.’s virtual try-on experience for a range of makeup products before committing to a purchase.
University of Idaho
Starship Technologies has expanded its robot delivery service to the University of Idaho.
Students and employees on the Moscow campus can get food from several Idaho Eats locations, including Qdoba, True Burger, Einstein Bros. Bagels and Cravings by Joe, via Starship’s fleet of 15 autonomous food delivery robots.
