Lacoste, Ocado and Decathlon impress as RTIH presents July’s coolest retail technology plays
RTIH Editor, Scott Thompson, brings you his stand out ‘future of retail’ systems deployments from July, including summer virtual stores, customer experience management platforms, social commerce pop-up shops, and virtual try-on services.
Lacoste
Emperia has announced the launch of Lacoste’s new summer virtual store.
Containing elements exclusively available to Le Club Lacoste and its UNDW3 (Web3) members, the brand says it is aiming to “create a deep sense of community and shopper loyalty appreciation by offering a unique retail experience that extends beyond its physical stores”.
Strolling from the beach and straight into the crocodile mouth, shoppers will be able to explore Lacoste’s latest summer collection of clothes, shoes and accessories.
A short elevator journey leads the users to an outdoor space, featuring additional product offering, all in a pool deck setting that overlooks the beach.
Throughout the experience, visitors will be able to explore a crocodile scavenger hunt that leads them to an underwater VIP space, accessible exclusively to Le Club Lacoste and UNDW3 members, unlocked by an e-mail login or a Lacoste NFT.
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) has shared the first results of its implementation of the Goodays customer experience management platform across 50 shopping centres in 11 different countries – including its Westfield London locations.
The Connect offering was deployed by the group in summer 2022 as part of a drive to re-establish a strong, emotional bond with customers after the disconnect caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
It provides customers at each shopping centre with a system to instantly leave feedback through a wide range of touchpoints – from in-centre QR codes at reception areas to digital and social channels.
Feedback is then routed to each centre team in real-time to take action and make better, data-based decisions on behalf of customers. The solution also enables the group to boost its reputation on public platforms such as Google My Business and Trip Advisor.
Amazon and Whole Foods Market
The Amazon One service is currently available at more than 200 Whole Foods Market locations across the country, including Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Co-op and Starship Technologies
Co-op and Starship Technologies have announced the expansion of autonomous online grocery delivery services across more neighbourhoods in Leeds in collaboration with Leeds City Council.
Following a pilot launched last November - which saw 20,000 residents within the Adel and Tinshill area of Leeds have access to the offering - a further 12,000 households in the Kippax and Swarcliffe areas of the city will now be able to access Co-op groceries via robots.
Orders are placed through the Starship app, with residents in Kippax and Swarcliffe able to choose from a wide range of groceries which are picked fresh and then delivered locally from two local Co-op stores.
With a delivery fee starting from 99p, customers can order their delivery to arrive in under an hour and watch the robot travel in real-time via an interactive map. They will receive an alert when the robot arrives, and can meet and unlock it through the app.
Decathlon
Decathlon has developed a Smartsize tool for use on its e-commerce website.
In a LinkedIn post, Jerome Dubreuil, Global Chief Digital Officer, Executive Team member, said: “Has this ever happened to you? You order a shirt online, and when it arrives, it fits and looks completely different on you than it did on the model pictured on the website.”
“Don't worry, you're not alone. An Ipsos survey reveals that 59% of shoppers have experienced dissatisfaction with their online purchases for this exact reason.”
He added: “Recognising the challenges faced by online shoppers, we've developed the Smartsize tool. This intuitive tool, accessible on our e-commerce website, is designed to find the perfect fit for your body type.”
“Our data shows that without the Smartsize recommendation tool, the conversion rate drops by 3.5%. Already live in 25 countries, it reduces returns and helps us cut down on our carbon footprint.”
“Moreover, with 68,600,000 measurements gathered from 11 touch points and 7,150,000 members across 71 countries, we are improving the way we create our sports gear to be closer to our customers and provide them with the right sizes.”
“Shopping online has never been easier or more environmentally friendly.”
Dufry
Perfect Corp. has announced a collaboration with travel retailer, Dufry, providing in-store and web makeup virtual try-on for products from 15 brands.
In London Heathrow, London Stansted, Manchester and Barcelona, it is now possible to try products from the likes of Benefit, Kylie Cosmetics, Guerlain, and Huda Beauty.
Dufry plans to bring Perfect Corp. powered virtual try-on shopping experiences to more airports in the future.
Ocado Retail
The retailer has teamed up with Polytag and Bower to deliver the initiative.
Customers can scan a QR code printed onto Ocado’s own brand two and four pint milk bottles, which have just reduced in price to £1.45 and £1.20 respectively.
The first 20,000 codes scanned will see consumers receive a 20p reward which will appear in their digital wallet in the Bower app – the same amount that will be redeemed as a deposit in the upcoming Deposit Return Scheme legislation once it is rolled out in 2025. This 20p can then be withdrawn to their bank account.
Although consumers will not redeem a deposit – as it will not be added at the point of purchase – the partnership aims to demonstrate the viability of a DDRS by enabling people to receive a cash incentive for recycling using their smartphones.
TikTok
This month, TikTok hit London’s Oxford Street, working with Sook to open a pop up shop.
In a LinkedIn post, Lin Chen, Electronics Category Lead, Social E-Commerce, TikTok Shop, said: “What an incredible week it has been! We did it!”
“For a span of seven days, we unveiled the world's first physical TikTok shop on London's bustling Oxford Street. We showcased a revolutionary shopping experience that seamlessly merged offline and online social commerce in a delightful and interactive manner.”
She added: “Throughout these seven days, we focused on three primary product categories: technology, home and living, and books. We invited existing merchants who have gained popularity in trending TikTok communities such as #Coffeetok, #TechTok, #FoodTok, #HairTok, and #HomeTok”
In addition, TikTok showcased products from the likes of Swan Products, RKW, Beauty Works, Cookology, and Nothing. Creators were able to scan a QR code to directly buy or sell products on TikTok Shop.
Chen added: “We had the pleasure of welcoming some prominent brands. They visited our shop to learn about the operation of TikTok Shop, how to engage with creators, and unlock the enormous potential of social selling using their existing physical infrastructure.”
New Balance
New Balance recently opened a concept store in Singapore, featuring a Volumental 3D foot scanner in the fitting area.
Since partnering with Volumental in 2017, the retailer says that it has scanned the feet of more than one million shoppers worldwide.
The scan, which takes less than five seconds, provides employees with detailed information about a customer’s feet, helping them find a shoe that’s sure to fit.
Volumental claims that the solution helps brands and retailers to: reduce return rates by 18%; increase footwear sales by 20%; achieve email capture rates of 71%.
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