’Tis the season for virtual store experiences: Check out last week’s most read RTIH retail technology articles
These are the articles on this here website that caught your fancy last week, including Costa Coffee, Coach, Sensei, J.Crew, Obsess, Fortnum & Mason, Kingfisher, and the 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards.
It’s here! RTIH announces shortlist for 2023 omnichannel retail technology innovation awards
We’re pleased to announce the shortlist for the 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards, sponsored by PMC, FreedomPay, Worldpay from FIS, CADS, 3D Cloud by Marxent, Goodays, and Vista Technology Support.
We received a record number of submissions this year and many fantastic examples of the continued resilience and dynamism of the retail space during hugely challenging times.
Our winners will be revealed at the 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards ceremony, which will take place at the Barbican Centre in central London.
The event will be held on Wednesday, 29th November, maintaining its popular evening format, with a drinks reception in the stunning Conservatory, followed by a Christmas themed three course meal, and awards presentations in the Garden Room.
Congratulations to all those who made the shortlist.
To book your place at the 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards ceremony on Wednesday, 29th November, click here.
Costa Coffee taps UKG workforce planning and forecasting solutions for frontline and hourly employees
Costa Coffee has deployed AI powered UKG workforce planning and forecasting solutions for frontline and hourly workers.
Flying Tiger Copenhagen deploys MishiPay solutions across 56 UK stores, preps mPoS roll-out
Flying Tiger Copenhagen has announced the deployment of MishiPay's suite of transaction solutions across 56 UK stores.
Since the end of September, the chain has been operating exclusively on MishiPay for all transactions.
Already a user of MishiPay's Scan & Go solution, Flying Tiger Copenhagen has expanded its partnership to include cash desk and self-checkout kiosks. It has further plans to introduce the company’s mobile Point of Sale (mPOS) solution to its roster.
J.Crew taps Obsess immersive e-commerce platform for launch of holiday virtual store experience
J.Crew has launched a holiday virtual store experience in partnership with immersive e-commerce platform Obsess, featuring an AI Card Generator and Ski Game.
The World of J.Crew offering takes the form of a snow lodge for women’s apparel and accessories and a separate ski chalet for men’s apparel.
The AI Card Generator allows visitors to answer a set of ‘this or that’ questions, which will then generate a holiday greeting card based on their responses.
The Ski Game is inspired by a vintage video game that has the player move the skier through a series of red flags to avoid trees on the path.
Visitors can interact with content highlighting the brand’s heritage, participate in a scavenger hunt for a chance to win a cashmere giveaway, and shop J.Crew’s curated edit of winter and holiday styles.
Kingfisher announces AI powered DIY assistant, launching initially at Castorama France
Kingfisher has launched what is pitched as the first AI powered assistant in the home improvement sector, harnessing the capability of generative AI to support customers with their DIY projects.
Launching initially at Castorama France, this answers customers’ DIY queries and provides step-by-step advice on a range of home improvement projects, as well as tailored product recommendations.
Customers can ask the assistant questions in natural language while shopping online – for example “how do I install a worktop in my kitchen” or “which saw should I choose to cut my worktop?”.
It will answer in a friendly and conversational way with relevant advice.
As well as conversing with customers via text chat, the assistant will soon be able analyse photos to perform visual searches and answer visual queries.
Fortnum & Mason switches EU online deliveries back on as Brexit creates “huge amount of complexity and regulation”
Luxury food and drink retailer Fortnum & Mason has, for the first time in more than three years, resumed its exports to the European Union.
It stopped its delivery service to the EU in March 2021 due to Brexit associated customs challenges.
Autonomous store tech firm Sensei enters Italy with new Tuday Prendi & Go store in Verona
Portuguese startup Sensei has announced its entry into Italy with the opening of the country’s first autonomous supermarket.
Located in Verona, the Tuday Prendi & Vai location was inaugurated on Wednesday 8th November, offering a shopping experience with no queues, or self-scanning or checkout processes.
Sensei, whose autonomous stores can also be found in Europe and South America, has partnered with the DAO cooperative, which has been operating in the retail sector for over 60 years and is present in the provinces of Trento, Bolzano, Vicenza, and Verona, where it manages the Conad brand.
Tuday Prendi & Go (in English, Grab & Go) in Verona allows customers to enter without any barriers, pick up the products they want, and leave without the need to go to a checkout counter and/or wait in line to pay.
It also marks the debut of technological developments made by Sensei to enhance the user experience.
In addition to eliminating barriers to entry into the store, it offers people the opportunity to review their shopping cart, updated in real-time, before leaving the store. At the payment terminal, after accessing their cart, customers can choose from different payment methods and pay by card or using the Tuday - Prendi & Vai app.
Coach teams up with ZERO10 to launch immersive retail experience for the 2023 holiday season
Coach is teaming up with ZERO10 to support the roll-out of its Holiday 2023 campaign with AR technology.
From 15th November to 1st January, customers will be able to explore Coach’s Holiday collection digitally through ZERO10’s AR Storefront at five physical locations across North America: Boston, Atlanta, Austin, Miami and Toronto.
The aim is to inspire shoppers to unleash their personal style and explore the world of the Coach brand in a fun and immersive way that caters to Gen Z and Young Millennial audiences.
AR Storefront will feature digital recreations of the following holiday styles from Coach: Sequin Penn in Dark Magenta and Black, Metallic Star Bag in Silver, Glovetanned Leather Tabby Shoulder Bag 26 in Black, Patent Signature Leather Tabby Shoulder Bag 20 in Chalk and Silver Mirrored Pearlized Signature Round Frames.
Items will appear on the user’s body with AR special effects, including a pearlescent ribbon, multicolour holiday lights, and animated snowman. These looks will alternate on a timed sequence, allowing users and passersby to experience the entire scope of the digital collection.
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