Crypto payments and rapid deliveries: 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 Specsavers, Amazon, Southeastern Grocers, Denny’s, Ralph Lauren, OnBuy, and Walmart.
Specsavers
Having previously supported optical retailer Specsavers in Northern Europe, Valtech has announced an expansion of the partnership globally.
As a consultant for Specsavers, Valtech will work with it to optimise its approach to digitisation by not only helping to integrate the right technology for its business needs, but also refine ways of working and technology operations across its different regions.
A key part of the partnership will focus on identifying where speed and efficiency improvements can be made within its tech stack and advising how technology can be used to advance Specsavers’ goal of ensuring an exceptional customer experience.
Additionally, Specsavers will tap into Valtech’s global delivery team to ensure it has the right people with the right skillset to drive crucial aspects of its digital transformation journey.
Southeastern Grocers
Southeastern Grocers (SEG), parent company of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is deploying Zebra Technologies’ workforce and task management solutions to boost in-store operations.
It selected offerings from Zebra’s Modern Store framework as it looked to better engage employees and optimise labour productivity across its network of over 420 stores.
Leveraging the tech enables SEG to align the staffing model with real-time demand and automate the scheduling process, so managers spend less time in the back office and more time helping customers and training associates.
Free Soul, HUX Health and Misfits Health
UK supplement brands Free Soul, HUX Health and Misfits Health have partnered with one-hour and same-day delivery startup bodo.
They are using the London-based firm’s solution in three main ways: Acquiring new customers with faster and more convenient delivery options, and turning them into loyal subscribers.
Using bodo’s live map order tracking and branded WhatsApp/email communications, brands such as Misfits Health can create a memorable experience which inspires good reviews and retains customers; Adding sustainable options.
Denny’s
Denny’s has partnered with Sparkfly and Olo to launch a new customer engagement ecosystem.
This is now live across all 1,600+ Denny’s locations.
Leveraging the former’s Offer & Reward Management Platform and adding the latter’s Marketing and Guest Data Platform (GDP) modules, it says it will create and implement bespoke initiatives to incentivise and retain loyal customers.
Obsess
Obsess has announced the launch of AVA by Obsess, pitched as a first of its kind, self-serve solution that enables brand teams to build and customise virtual stores themselves.
The content management system (CMS) leverages proprietary 3D editing and rendering technology that enables companies to add and place products, embed rich media content, and customise merchandising and styling in virtual stores.
The Vitamin Shoppe
The Vitamin Shoppe has chosen to deploy HughesON Managed Network Services across its 700+ US retail outlets.
It says that the solution provides it with “a secure Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) that supports the company's vision for growth across retail, digital and franchise outlets”.
Albert
Ahold Delhaize owned retailer Albert has announced, in partnership with Brain Corp and Tennant Co., that its fleet of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) deployed across its Czech Republic hypermarkets and two distribution centres have officially cleaned over 20 million square metres (215 million square feet), completing over 92,000 cleaning routes.
During 2023, it will almost double the number of stores with robot deployments.
“Last year we put a number of autonomous scrubbers into operation and this year we plan to continue to scale up their use. Altogether, almost double the number of robots will be operating in our stores by the end of March,” says Pavel Klemera, Operations Support Manager at Albert.
“Robots clean precisely, don´t skip any space and help our employees to save their effort so, they can use the time to elevate our customers’ experience.“
Perfetti Van Melle
Grab2Go
Grab2Go has opened a pharmacy self-service solution in Estonia.
Customers can select the product they need, use their preferred method of payment, and the machine will dispense it immediately.
The solution can also be used in convenience and petrol stations to sell products such as drinks and beverages, snacks, and other food items.
In a press release, Grab2Go says: “With the necessary regulatory changes now in place, these innovative self-service pharmacies are set to become a game-changer in the healthcare industry.”
“By allowing customers to access a wide range of over-the-counter medicines and healthcare products, 24/7, we are bringing greater convenience and accessibility to those who need it most.”
OnBuy
UK-based online marketplace OnBuy has introduced direct payment into UK bank accounts for the first time since its launch in 2016.
It has also introduced WorldFirst and Payoneer, which will be beneficial for overseas sellers, who are often affected by high international payment fees.
The move means that sellers no longer need to connect PayPal accounts in order to sell on the platform, removing a blocker that has been a deterrent to some in the past.
Walmart
Walmart is rolling out a redesigned website and mobile app homepage.
In an online post, Tom Ward, Executive Vice President and Chief eCommerce Officer, Walmart U.S., says: “The new homepage offers a product focused experience that better mirrors the way our customers love to shop, highlighting the items that matter most to them at any given moment – whether it’s game day or holiday.”
“The feature packed homepage has rich imagery, live video and is optimised to better bring Walmart’s massive assortment to life, including a new social inspired scroll so customers can browse our selection just as they’d scroll their favourite social media apps.”
“Hats off to the Walmart Global Tech, Product and Design teams that collaborated closely to envision and bring to life this dynamic new way to discover and shop walmart.com.”
He adds: “We put our customers first, and this new homepage is just one more way we’re improving the online shopping experience to make it more compelling to shop with us while saving our customers time and money.”
“But this new experience doesn’t just benefit our customers. It also provides our suppliers and Marketplace sellers new opportunities to showcase more relevant products and better tell their stories, within moments that are top of mind for our customers, as they grow their businesses on walmart.com.”
“And we’re giving our Walmart creators the resources, tools and products to help develop their community and inspire customers as they shop online.”
Ralph Lauren
AFL and Amazon
The AFL (Australian Football League) has announced that Marvel Stadium will become the first venue in the Southern Hemisphere to introduce Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology for checkout-free purchases.
This will be available at two outlets known as ‘The Runner’ - one food and beverage and one bar - in time for the early rounds of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.
Fans will use their credit or debit card, or mobile wallet payment option at entry, collect their items, and leave the store without having to wait in line to checkout.
Just Walk Out technology is made possible by artificial intelligence like computer vision and deep learning techniques, including generative AI, to accurately determine who took what in a store.
Amazon says that it built synthetic datasets to mimic millions of realistic shopping scenarios, including variations in store format, lighting conditions, and even crowds of shoppers, to ensure accuracy in any environment.
The technology is currently in use at sports venues across the US, including TD Garden, home of the Boston Celtics (NBA) and Boston Bruins (NHL), and Climate Pledge Arena, home of the Seattle Kraken (NHL).
Fans purchasing alcohol will be required to show their ID to a store attendant for age verification.
ABACUS
ABACUS, a Spanish cooperative retailer and distributor of cultural and educational products and services, is partnering with RELEX Solutions to provide forecasting, replenishment, allocation, and promotion forecasting.
The company’s tech will service ABACUS’s entire sales network throughout the Spanish territory, with the aim of reducing inventory while improving product availability and service levels.
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