RTIH lays out this week's coolest retail technology plays

RTIH Editor, Scott Thompson, brings you his top ‘future of retail’ systems launches and deployments from the past week, including AI powered touchless checkout systems, a not for profit digital platform that redistributes surplus food, and Barbie in the metaverse.

Alimentation Couche-Tard

Alimentation Couche-Tard is set to deploy more than 10,000 Mashgin AI powered touchless checkout systems, branded as Smart Checkout, to over 7,000 of its Circle K and Couche-Tard stores during the next three years.

The agreement launches the global deployment of the solution, and is claimed to be one of the largest scale expansions of computer vision powered checkout technology to date.

It builds upon the deployment of Mashgin across nearly 500 Circle K locations in the US and Sweden since 2020, as well as at Couche-Tard's retail innovation lab store on the campus of McGill University in Montreal.

Walmart

Walmart has announced plans to build four new fulfilment centres.

These will implement automation technology that provides customers and Walmart+ members with access to next or two day shipping on millions of items.

Locatons include McCordsville, Indiana, and Greencastle, Pennsylvania.

“Our new next generation fulfilment centre is a first of its kind for Walmart that will transform the way we ship online orders to customers,” says David Guggina, Senior Vice President, Automation, and Innovation at Walmart.

“Through our automated storage system and patent pending five step process, we’ll not only provide increased comfort for associates but also double the storage capacity and double the number of customer orders we’re able to fulfill in a day.”

Woolworths

Woolworths, in partnership with Tiliter, is introducing new artificial intelligence powered scales in produce aisles at stores across Australia.

Shoppers place their loose produce on the scales which display the weight of the product on the screen - instead of waiting until they’re at the checkout for an accurate reading.

The technology is currently being tested across a handful of stores nationwide.

It is expected to be rolled out across the entire network of more than 1,000 Woolworths supermarkets.

Asos

Watsons

A.S. Watson Group’s flagship health and beauty brand Watsons is extending its recycling programme to Hong Kong. This builds on launches in Taiwan, Thailand, and Indonesia and is in partnership with L’Oréal.

Sensei

Sensei has launched what is pitched as “the first ever autonomous cabinet, revolutionising the vending machine and bringing ultra convenience to consumers in offices, stations, universities, gyms and more”.

The AI powered solution will allow customers to hold and have an up close look at products before buying them.

The cabinet door can be opened with the tap of a card or the Sensei app and, after choosing the products they want, customers will automatically be charged for what they decide to keep.

Cameras and intelligent shelves in the cabinet recognise products and ensure receipts are accurate.

3D Cloud by Marxent

3D Cloud by Marxent has announced the roll-out of a new kitchen design automation feature for enterprise home improvement retailers.

"Kitchen design hasn't changed much over the past 20 years. It is still a time consuming process that can take several in-person design sessions and go on for weeks," says Beck Besecker, 3D Cloud by Marxent's CEO and Co-Founder

"It's a slow, manual process that can leave both designers and their clients frustrated."

"After watching both kitchen design pros and consumers struggle through the painstaking process of laying out cabinets, we tasked ourselves to make designing a kitchen as simple as applying an Instagram filter. The new instant, one click design feature delivers on this vision."

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) is gearing up to launch two DIVR Labs ‘arenas’ with a 285 sqm outpost at Westfield Mall of Scandinavia in Stockholm and a 330 sqm location Westfield London.  

Featuring original story-based experiences ranging from family friendly escapades to fantasy and science-fiction adventures, DIVR Labs puts groups of up to four people into a series of shared virtual reality  experiences that, through its hardware, includes wireless streaming in 5K resolution and multi-sensory feedback through wind, heat and vibration.

Forever 21 and Mattel

Fashion retailer, Forever 21, has announced a collaboration with Mattel’s Barbie brand. 

A new limited edition collection includes a range of vintage style apparel items, swim, sleepwear, beauty, and accessories as well as home décor, inspired by the Barbie DreamHouse. 

This will be simultaneously available in-store, online, and in the Forever 21 Shop City experience on Roblox.

Bakel

Perfect Corp. has partnered with Italian beauty brand Bakel to introduce a new AI Skin Analysis solution to its online customers.

This detects hydration levels and helps consumers to easily identify problematic areas on their skin.

Gweilo Beer and SALT Beer Factory

Gweilo Beer and SALT Beer Factory are putting their beer in the hands of their UK consumers through NFTs.

The pair have teamed up with blockchain technology platform, Polygon, to create “an immersive community initiative for beer lovers and the NFT curious. The very first NFT beer that is designed by people, to be enjoyed by people.”

The brew is set to evolve every six months, with each new set of winners collaborating with the breweries to design the next flavour and can design. One winner will also receive a share in the revenues.  

Co-op and Microsoft

Co-op and Microsoft, supported by technology consultancy BJSS and Team ITG, have created Caboodle, a not for profit digital platform that enables UK supermarkets, cafés and restaurants to connect with community groups and volunteers to redistribute surplus food.

This is built on Microsoft’s Power Platform technology.

The platform, which is being tested out in Co-op's food stores in Northern Ireland, Milton Keynes and London, goes live next month across a further 2,500 food stores.