The latest from Walmart, Shopify, Chipotle: Last week’s biggest retail technology plays at a glance
RTIH rounds up the stand out retail systems deals, launches, deployments and pilots from the past seven days. Featuring H&M, Roblox, Walmart, Shopify, Scurri and HIVED.
H&M
H&M has launched a H&M Loooptopia Experience on Roblox.
The result of a partnership with metaverse studio Dubit, this lets players experiment with materials and patterns creating the next virtual garment and wardrobe for their avatar.
"People who shop and wear H&M garments and accessories are increasingly spending time in virtual spaces and digital worlds. The H&M Loooptopia Experience on Roblox is now allowing us to explore new ways to engage with our current and new customers in the places they love to be, both online and offline," says Linda Li, Head of Customer Activation & Marketing, H&M Americas.
"In the coming years, we will continue to explore this fast growing expanse of virtual and augmented realities."
Walmart
Walmart reports that it now operates, in partnership with its vendors, 36 drone delivery hubs across seven US states.
This marks completion of the retailer’s drone hub expansion plans that it announced last year.
Vik Gopalakrishnan, Vice President, Innovation & Automation, Walmart U.S., says: “I’m incredibly proud of our team for creating the largest drone delivery footprint of any US retailer and providing customers with an incredibly fast – and innovative – option for delivery.”
“We’re encouraged by the positive response from customers and look forward to making even more progress in 2023.”
Shopify
Cape Union Mart
South African retailer Cape Union Mart says that it is optimising its financials, fulfilment, store assortments, and inventory with Oracle Cloud for Retail solutions.
“Establishing the core foundation first was critical to our success. By embracing Oracle Cloud technology, we can scale to meet customer demand with a fresh assortment that is accessible wherever our customers choose to shop,” says Grant De Waal-Dubla, Group IT Executive, Cape Union Mart.
“The dynamic collaboration with our business partners is the best it’s ever been. By moving to the cloud, we will focus more on business processes and adoption rather than worrying about performance.”
Scurri and HIVED
UK-based Scurri, a software provider focused on the e-commerce ordering, shipping and delivery process, has announced its integration with HIVED.
This will allow retailers on the Scurri platform to deliver online orders emission free, nationwide collection and delivery across the Greater London area.
HIVED’s emission free output is achieved by use of only electric vehicles and bikes for its deliveries.
Through the integration, Scurri will offer same-day, next-day and two-day delivery services for retailers.
Chipotle
Chipotle Mexican Grill is kicking off 2023 with a new lineup of Lifestyle Bowls as it looks to cater to contemporary wellness habits.
The brand is also launching a wellness inspired AR Lens on Snapchat to encourage people to maintain healthy habits, plus it will reward those who participate with free guac.
“We created seven new Lifestyle Bowls that embrace Gen Z and Millennials’ modern interpretation of wellbeing,” says Chris Brandt, Chief Marketing Officer, Chipotle.
“We’re making new year’s resolutions fun by gamifying the experience and offering balanced meals made with real ingredients that you feel good eating.”
The AR Lens will launch on Friday, 13th January, also known as Quitter’s Day, the day we’re apparently most likely to forfeit new year’s resolutions.
One hundred thousand people in the US who complete the Snapchat challenges will earn a promo code for a free small side or topping of guac.
Chipotle says that the activation marks the first time a restaurant brand will promote physical activity and wellness through an AR Lens on Snapchat.
NASCAR and Phoenix Raceway
AiFi has been selected by Phoenix Raceway to use its autonomous retail technology after a test launch with both AiFi and Amazon Go systems at the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Championship in November.
The former’s store will now be back for the next NASCAR race in the spring.
This is its second race car presence after revealing a frictionless express shop at the Miami Grand Prix in May in partnership with Verizon 5G.
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