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 REWE Group, Trigo, H&M Group, Google Cloud, Instacart, Walmart Canada, New Look, commercetools, Kingfisher, and 3D Cloud by Marxent.
3D Cloud by Marxent is partnering with Kingfisher to roll-out new 3D visualisation, planning, and design tech across a number of its banners.
The initiative includes a 3D kitchen, bathroom, and storage planner with virtual reality capabilities in addition to a series of mobile 3D product configurators.
Kingfisher's B&Q and Brico Depot Romania have already launched the system in the UK, Republic of Ireland and Romania.
B&Q UK has also rolled out a line-up of intuitive, mobile first 3D product configurators for fireplaces and for the Kingfisher exclusive Atomia and Alara product lines.
Using the aforementioned tools, shoppers are able to explore, design, visualise and checkout in a single app. More sophisticated design features are available for experienced designers.
REWE Group has announced the upcoming opening of a second Trigo powered hybrid checkout-free supermarket.
Located in Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin, Germany, this builds on a launch last year in Cologne.
Shoppers at the 400 square metre Schönhauser Allee location can walk in and shop for items including fresh baked goods, weighted fruits and vegetables and other grocery products, then exit the store and receive a receipt within minutes.
A traditional checkout option will also be available.
Google Cloud has announced a new partnership with H&M Group which will see the Swedish multinational leverage its data analytics capabilities and sustainable global infrastructure to enhance its customer experience and supply chain enablement.
The pair will collaborate to develop an enterprise data backbone including a core data platform, data product, and advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities.
This will also include the establishment of a new data mesh to further make all types of data and events accessible from multiple sources including in-store, online, its brands ecosystem and suppliers.
Swedish company, ieye, is tapping Sony technology as it looks to “refashion the traditional optics industry” with its network of pop-up eye testing kiosks.
Placed in locations across shopping centres, supermarkets and pharmacies, ieye’s digitalised eye test takes five minutes, with glasses being delivered in ten days and costs said to be 80% cheaper than traditional optic services.
With ieye’s use of Sony technology, customers can virtually try on hundreds of frames, selected specifically to suit them.
Instacart has expanded its partnership with Walmart Canada to include a virtual convenience store pilot in Toronto.
Called Walmart Now, this offers nearly 4,000 items for delivery in as fast as 30 minutes with service powered by Instacart and orders fulfilled from 10 of the retailer’s stores.
Pricer has received an order of approximately 90 MSEK from the Dutch co-operative supermarket chain PLUS to equip 128 additional stores, previously under the Coop banner, with electronic shelf labels.
The roll-out is planned to start during Q1 2023 with the initial delivery scheduled for November and consecutive deliveries in March 2023.
The Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Self Checkout System 7 offering is now available at the Supermarkets El Trébol chain in Chile.
Hugo Boss has selected Nedap’s iD Cloud platform for its retail business.
The aim of this tie up is to create supply chain visibility, improve merchandise availability and to deliver excellent shopping experiences.
The Home Depot has selected Aruba ESP (Edge Services Platform) delivered via HPE GreenLake for Aruba networking, to power “advanced customer and associate experiences” across its US stores.
commercetools has announced a partnership with fashion retailer, New Look.
In the first phase, New Look will be leveraging commercetools technology to focus on improving the transactional element of its online shopping experience, updating order capture, the checkout journey and cart functionality and pricing.
Honolulu-based resort wear brand, Tori Richard, has signed with Teamwork Commerce.
The Implementation of Teamwork’s cloud-based mobile Point of Sale and Order Management System will enable omnichannel services by offering customers endless fulfilment options such as Buy Online Pick Up In-Store (BOPIS), Buy Online Ship from Store (BOSHIP), and Buy In-Store Ship from Warehouse.
Revolution Beauty has launched native Android and iOS apps, using poq’s MACH Alliance certified, headless Salesforce Native App Platform.
The brand predominantly sells through third-party retailers, but is now looking to expand its reach with direct customer engagement through mobile apps.
These will include personalised recommendations, a loyalty programme powered by Yotpo and the ability to communicate 1:1 with their members.
People with additional needs can now alert the St James Quarter in Scotland with their personal requirements ahead of their visit.
Online booking and scheduling platform Appointedd and accessibility tool WelcoMe have united to ensure disabled visitors can access, visit, and enjoy all that the St James Quarter has to offer, from dining, to shopping, to bowling, and the latest movie releases.
Fashion brand Marc O’Polo has deployed a range of Citrix digital workspace solutions to support hybrid working for its 2,000 employees worldwide.
