Starring GreyOrange, Getir, and Domino’s: RTIH’s biggest retail technology news stories of the week
It’s Friday, the weekend is almost upon us, so let’s kick back and reflect on another eventful week for the retail systems space. Here's your briefing on the most important stories from the past five days, including autonomous stores, pizza orders on the go, and label free online returns services.
1. IKI taps Pixevia tech for second cashierless, autonomous convenience store in Lithuania
IKI, the second biggest supermarket chain in Lithuania, has opened its second cashierless convenience store in Vilnius, following a pilot using technology from Pixevia.
The IKI Express 24/7 store is located on the landmark White Bridge in Vilnius that connects the old town to the main business district.
Part of REWE Group, IKI plans to have up to four autonomous stores in operation across Lithuania by the end of 2023.
With Pixevia’s technology, customers tap a payment card, phone or watch wallet, or a retailer’s mobile app at the store doors to enter.
They can pick items up and put them back with no need for any scanning. Inputs from shelf sensors and camera video streams are inputted into Pixevia’s AI platform, which determines exactly what each customer has selected.
It presents the entire list of items to customers in real-time, allowing them to pay with another tap of a card before leaving. The shopper gets a receipt before they depart.
Pixevia’s platform also alerts employees automatically about any goods that need replenishing on the shelves, and predicts the need to reorder stock.
2. Albertsons Companies’ Sincerely Health platform introduces new Apple Watch integration
Albertsons Companies has teamed with Apple to bring activity data from Apple Watch and iPhone to the Sincerely Health platform.
This is a free digital health and wellness tool available on 16 Albertsons Cos. grocery banners and websites, including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Shaw’s, Jewel-Osco, Acme, and Tom Thumb.
Customers who wear Apple Watch Series 3 or later can now choose to share their activity data with their Sincerely Health account and earn up to 75 points daily for closing all three Activity rings: Move, Exercise and Stand.
Those who do not have an Apple Watch can connect their iPhone with iOS 16 through the Fitness app and earn up to 25 points each day for closing their Move ring.
3. UK retailer Co-op employs Polytag's recycling technology for traceability of spring water bottles
Polytag is set to apply both QR codes and UV tags to Co-op own label PET 2-litre spring water bottles in what it pitched as an industry first, offering the convenience retailer visibility of its packaging during the recycling process.
The unique every time QR codes will be applied to the pack labels by Co-op’s bottled water supplier at the standard label application speeds.
They are GS1 compliant and take consumers to a Co-op landing page detailing information about both the retailer’s sustainability and charitable commitments.
Within the QR code there is a serial number which can be used to handle fraud proof rewards, assign loyalty points and secure deposit redemptions.
A UV tag layer invisible to the human eye, printed by Tipografic using UV flexographic inks, is also then applied across the label.
This enables barcode level information to be captured in the recycling centre and is uploaded to Polytag’s cloud-based analytics dashboard, providing the retailer with real-time insights on whether packaging is actually recycled, and in what volumes.
The UV tag reading technology was developed by Polytag in partnership with researchers at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre. It is fitted to the plastics conveyer at Abergele’s Gofer Bulking Centre in Wales.
4. Southeastern Grocers taps Zebra retail technology as it looks to improve store performance
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.
5. Domino’s on Apple CarPlay goes live, pitched at customers wanting to order pizza on the go
Domino’s is giving customers a new way to order while on the go, via its iOS app on Apple CarPlay.
Two options are available: Tap to Order and Call to Order.
The former lets people submit their saved Easy Order or one of their most recent orders, while the latter allows them to place the order of their choice, hands free, by talking to a customer service representative.
“Domino’s has been known as the industry leader when it comes to pizza and technology, and we’re constantly striving to continue providing the best experience to customers. That’s why we launched Domino’s app on CarPlay,” says Christopher Thomas-Moore, Domino’s Senior Vice President – Chief Digital Officer.
“We know how frustrating it can be to wait in a drive-thru line just to place an order. Domino’s app on CarPlay is a great alternative to that, as customers still have the convenience of staying in their car, and can place an order from wherever they are, without waiting in a long drive-thru.”
“It’s yet another way we’re bringing more ease and ordering options to customers across the US.”
6. GreyOrange Co-founder Akash Gupta takes on CEO role at retail automation solutions firm
GreyOrange, a specialist in automated robotic fulfilment and inventory optimisation software, has announced Co-founder Akash Gupta as its new Chief Executive Officer.
He takes over from fellow Co-founder Samay Kohli who will continue to serve GreyOrange, which launched in 2012 and counts Ikea and Walmart as customers, as a member of the company’s board of directors.
“From launching our first robotics hardware in 2012 to becoming a global leader in software, robotics and omnichannel retail management, I could not be prouder of our team’s decade of pioneering accomplishments,” says Gupta.
“Our expanding portfolio of AI driven solutions enables our customers to solve their most critical challenges across their entire fulfilment network: from warehouses to retail stores and e-commerce.”
7. Improving the consumer journey: Sports Direct signs up for InPost UK label free online returns service
InPost has announced a partnership with Sports Direct, enabling the latter’s customers to return parcels at one of its 5,000 lockers across the UK, without having to print a label.
They scan a QR code received to their phone at their nearest locker and leave their items in one of the compartments.
A spokesperson for Sports Direct says: “We are constantly looking for ways to improve our consumer journey and to create a seamless beginning to end product lifecycle. Our partnership with InPost will help generate a smooth process for our consumers when returning online purchases by using QR code technology.”
8. Getir claims Europe’s largest store network for ultrafast grocery delivery following Gorillas deal
Getir, which operates in nine countries, has launched what is pitched as Europe’s biggest store network for ultrafast grocery delivery.
The combined Getir and Gorillas’ offering will serve customers in Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and the US.
It is the result of an integration process between the two companies that started with the acquisition of Gorillas by Getir at the end of 2022.
“Since the acquisition, we have had one clear goal in mind: Getir and Gorillas - stronger and better together,” says Turancan Salur, Regional General Manager at Getir.
“This announcement exemplifies how leveraging the synergies of both organisations can lead to not just the biggest and most efficient store network for ultrafast grocery delivery, but also one that will significantly increase the product range and service quality for our customers.”
“It is also a testament to the great work of our team, who have been able to achieve this milestone in just a few months time.”
