Autonomous store firsts and rapid delivery consolidation: here are last week’s most read RTIH retail technology articles
These are the RTIH articles that caught your fancy last week, including IKI, Pixevia, absolute labs, Bringly, Sports Direct, InPost UK, Whizz, Getir, and Gorillas.
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.
absolute labs announces $8 million seed raise for Wallet Relationship Management Platform
Wallet Relationship Management (WRM) platform specialist absolute labs has announced the close of a $8 million seed fundraising round including Aglaé Ventures, Alpha Praetorian Capital, The Luxury Fund, Near Foundation, MoonPay, Plassa Capital, Punja Global Ventures, Samsung Next, Sparkle Ventures (Animoca Brands), and W3i.
The Web3 CRM offering, which is used by the likes of LVMH, MoonPay, The Sandbox, and Mocaverse (Animoca Brands), is enabling brands to leverage wallet data on public blockchains to gain deep data insights, build actionable segments, and automate cross-channel campaigns including NFT air drops, and nurture social community engagement.
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Dutch startup Bringly bags €1.5 million investment for sustainable online shipping platform
Bringly has completed a €1.5 million funding round involving new backers Eyos Capital, the Polish SpeedUp Energy Innovation and existing investors Shamrock Ventures, Ponooc and various angels.
The Dutch startup, which lays claim to two previous (undisclosed) rounds, will use the cash to expand its sustainable online shipping platform and network of carriers in Europe, add to its team and develop its software and algorithms.
Its technology makes it possible for e-commerce players to split the entire delivery process from different stock locations on the basis of different carriers.
The firm’s algorithm monitors the available capacities and performance of connected carriers and couriers in real-time. It then provides insights into the associated CO2 reduction in both the check-out of the web store and weekly reports.
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.”
AutoStore must think big and reevaluate strategy following Ocado robots feud legal showdown
AutoStore had originally asserted six patents against Ocado in October 2020.
Of these, two were invalidated by the European Patent Office before judgment was handed down, two were withdrawn by AutoStore shortly before the hearing started and the remaining two were invalidated in last week’s judgement.
AutoStore claimed that the decision had no impact on its business or operations.
Whilst that may be true, should the company take this opportunity to reevaluate its strategy?
Last mile delivery specialist Whizz raises $3.4 million for e-bike rental platform
Whizz, an e-bike subscription platform for last mile delivery drivers, has raised $3.4 million from Joint Journey, TMT Investments and a group of angel investors in a seed round of funding.
This brings its total fundraising to date to $4.5 million.
The cash will be used to fuel the company’s growth; upgrade the Whizz Automation Platform, its ERP system for business process automation; and set up new locations in New York equipped with lounge zones, bike maintenance and repair stations, and overnight storage facilities.
Notching up a checkout-free first: AiFi powered Żabka Nano autonomous store opens at hospital in Poland
Żabka Group’s Żabka Nano pop-up autonomous store offering is now live at Szpital Wojewódzki w Poznaniu hospital in Poland.
In a LinkedIn post, Patryk Powierża, Head of Growth at Żabka Polska, said: “First Żabka Nano store in a hospital.”
“We truly believe that autonomous stores can bring more convenience to the life of our customers. Thanks to this autonomous technology we can open our store in locations where traditional stores can’t appear.”
“Our Nano store in the hospital will be open in a few weeks and it will be ready to serve patients, their families, and hospital employees in 24/7/365 mode.”
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.”
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