Innovation at a glance: RTIH runs you through the week's coolest retail technology plays
RTIH Editor, Scott Thompson, brings you his top ‘future of retail’ systems launches and deployments from the past week, including Standard AI, Walmart, TalkShopLive, Simbe Robotics, Jisp, bodo, Packfleet, and J.P. Morgan Payments.
Walmart
Walmart is teaming up with Alphabet owned Wing to offer drone delivery from two stores in the Dallas area in the coming months, adding to its existing footprint of 11 hubs in Texas.
“Two years ago, we embarked on a journey to make the convenience of drone delivery a reality for our customers. Over that time we’ve grown to offer it across seven states and 36 stores, completing more than 10,000 safe deliveries,” says Prathibha Rajashekhar, SVP Innovation & Automation, Walmart U.S.
“Today, we’re continuing that momentum by teaming up with Wing, an on-demand drone delivery provider powered by Google’s parent company, Alphabet. The service will be offered from two stores in the Dallas metro area in the coming months, enabling us to reach an additional 60,000 homes.”
New Look
New Look has rolled out return kiosks in partnership with ZigZag Global across a selection of its stores this week.
The aim is to reduce the amount of time spent by in-store staff processing returns, whilst improving data collection.
After entering information online, customers can choose ‘Return to Store’ as an option and, rather than printing out a sticker, will receive a QR code.
Standard AI
LOOKFANTASTIC
LOOKFANTASTIC, a THG owned online destination for beauty enthusiasts, has launched a patent pending tool designed to match customers with their perfect foundation shade.
Toll Brothers
Toll Brothers has announced the installation of Amazon Just Walk Out tech at the convenience store within its Regency at Folsom Ranch retirement community located in Folsom, California.
This makes it the first residential community west of the Mississippi to adopt the solution as part of its on-site resident amenities.
The store allows residents to scan their Regency app (which includes credit card information) upon entry, grab the items they need, and leave the store without the need to check out.
The technology detects what residents take from or return to the shelves and creates a virtual shopping session.
When residents have completed shopping, they are able to leave the store without having to wait in line, and their choice of payment method through the app will be charged for the items they took with them.
EE
EE has opened a new Experience store in Kent’s Bluewater Shopping Centre.
The second of the company’s new concept stores showcases various experience zones and room sets, with each area curated to give shoppers a taste of future living and demonstrate how cutting-edge technology and connectivity can enhance their everyday lives.
The store, which is moving from EE’s existing space on the ground floor of Bluewater, is located on the first floor and combines two existing units to create what is pitched as “an open and dynamic tech filled space”.
Amazon
Amazon has opened a new Just Walk Out technology powered Amazon Fresh convenience grocery store in Moorgate, London.
There are now 18 of these locations in the UK - 17 of which are in London, and the other at Sevenoaks in Kent. Way off the original target of 200+ by the end of 2025.
To enter the Moorgate store, customers walk through a non-gated entrance and shop for what they need.
At the end of their trip, they can either scan their in-store code (via the Amazon app) at the exit gate or pay by tapping their credit or debit card.
Sephora and J.P. Morgan Payments
J.P. Morgan Payments has announced the launch of Tap to Pay on iPhone for its merchant clients in the US.
The solution allows merchants to accept contactless payments using their iPhones, without the need for a dedicated payments card reader or additional hardware.
Takis Georgakopoulos, Global Head of Payments, J.P. Morgan, says: “Today’s announcement marks a critical moment in time for the evolution of our business.”
“Enhancing the ability for consumers to pay with their preferred method of payment is part of our broader, customer centric approach to simplify omnichannel payment acceptance for our merchant clients.”
“As consumer payment needs continue to rapidly evolve, this is a significant demonstration of our ability to innovate at scale to support our merchant clients through this ongoing transformation.”
Sephora is the first J.P. Morgan Payments client to enable Tap to Pay on iPhone, which is currently rolling out across all its US freestanding stores.
Its beauty advisors can accept contactless credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, and other digital wallets anywhere in the store by using their iPhone and the mobile Point of Sale App – no additional hardware needed, regardless of the purchase amount.
Starship Technologies
bodo and Packfleet
bodo, a sustainable same-day delivery service used by UK e-commerce brands, has announced a partnership with Packfleet, an all electric courier.
bodo has a portfolio of over 50 brands, including SURI, COAT, TRIP CBD, HeyHarper, PeachyDen, and FreeSoul. It operates central London warehouses powered by solar energy and utilises eco-packaging.
The company collaborates with other sustainability driven firms, such as SURI and COAT, both B Corps, to promote ethical supply chain practices.
Packfleet, also a B Corp, operates in London with a 100% electric fleet charged by renewable energy and steered by routing technology. It is now facilitating deliveries for bodo customers within the M25.
Tesco
Tesco has unveiled its 500th home delivery electric van.
This will go into service at the grocery giant’s Sheffield Extra store, making this location the first in Yorkshire to have a fully electric fleet. It runs 14 home delivery vans, making 2,500 deliveries each week.
Since Tesco introduced its first EV home delivery van in 2020 in Greater London, the EVs have replaced 15 million diesel delivery miles.
More than 30 stores and centres are now operating fully electric home delivery vans across the UK.
Tesco’s fleet of 5,500 home delivery vans deliver to 150,000 customers across the UK every day.
As part of its ambition to become carbon neutral in the UK by 2035, it has committed to operating a fully electric home delivery fleet in the UK by the end of 2030.
Dolly Parton and TalkShopLive
American singer-songwriter, musician, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman, Dolly Parton, has hooked up with live streaming, social selling network, TalkShopLive.
In a LinkedIn post, the letters CEO and Co-Founder, Bryan Moore, said: “Thrilled to welcome the iconic Dolly Parton back to TalkShopLIve. She has launched her last four products with us and tonight (Friday, 18th August) she brings multiple products, with multiple different fulfilment partners, into the same show.”
“The greatest testament to TalkShopLIve is when our talent, retailer, brand and publishing partners return time and again because they realise incredible success on the platform and move the needle in their overall sales numbers.”
He added: “On a personal note, not only does Dolly make me smile from ear to ear every time I see her or hear her, but it is such a pleasure to work with her incredible team who continues to be at the top of their game - always innovating to create the most dynamic fan experiences.”
“Thank you for trusting us and continuing to make TalkShopLIve part of your product launches.”
Huck’s
Huck’s, a US convenience store chain with more than 120 locations across Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee, has announced the launch of its revamped mobile app.
It says that the Huck’s Bucks Bigg Rewards app, powered by Rovertown, combines the latest in loyalty marketing, scan-and-go payments, and customer engagement strategies.
“Our focus is on providing best in class shopping experiences in our stores as well as on mobile devices,” says Murat Tokad, CEO at Huck’s. “Our new app assists guests with everyday functions and provides targeted offers within an easy to use, modern mobile experience.”
Walmart (again)
Lafayette College
Lafayette College, in partnership with Parkhurst Dining, is introducing Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology just in time for the new academic year, becoming the first Lehigh Valley college or university to offer the option on its campus.
Kellogg Company
Kellogg Company has worked with Jisp to help drive interest in and sales of its new Crunchy Nut Salted Caramel and Coco-Pops Choco cereal range.
Shoppers were able to claim a 59p discount on each packet of cereal during a three-week promotion at participating Nisa Retail stores.
In a LinkedIn post, Jisp said: “Discounting is a key weapon for CPG brands when launching a new to market product, but do they know which consumers have engaged with their brand and who then go on to make additional purchases? Thankfully, with Scan and Save they can do both, helping them to measure the value of discount and not just the cost.”
It added: “Every carefully targeted Jisp shopper was sent a timely email and in-app message detailing the fantastic discount on offer and encouraging them to go into their local Nisa store and pick up a bargain.”
“The offer was also promoted with a strong visual call to action within the Scan and Save mobile application and advertised across social channels, both our own and those of our retail partners.”
Wakefern
Wakefern Food Corp. is expanding Simbe Robotics’ business intelligence solution to additional ShopRite stores after a pilot.
Over the past several months, Wakefern vetted Simbe’s platform in more than 20 stores.
It first began integrating the solution, powered by Tally, to drive inventory optimisation at the stores and help retail associates do more impactful, customer facing work.
Tally is a robot that autonomously scans shelves of products using AI to identify out-of-stock, misplaced, or mispriced products, as well as generate product location data for efficient inventory replenishment.
Simbe then delivers real-time actionable insights to drive improved store operations.
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