Disrupt Retail innovation lab fourth edition opens with focus on data, in-store ops and media

The Disrupt Retail innovation lab has issued its latest call for technology inviting start-ups to enter their ideas to get support from four retailers for pilots and proofs of concepts (PoCs) in the areas of data and customer insights, in-store operations, and retail media. Applications open on 8th January and close on 4th February. 

The four retailers from Germany, Portugal, Poland and Israel collectively represent an ecosystem of around 22,000 stores, 500,000 associates, and €80 billion in revenue, so their proven support can definitely bring new programmes to market that meet the aim to ‘elevate retail to the next level’.

Respectively, Edeka is an IT firm supporting digital business processes; MC provides food retail, Żabka Polska is a chain of manned and unmanned convenience stores in Poland, and Israel’s Shufersal has 400 convenience stores.

They are all looking to support retail innovation projects via the Disrupt Retail lab, which takes no equity and charges nothing for entries in its search for innovative ideas.

There are no prizes, formal competition or start-up of the year accolades – just a search for the best technologies that can help the retailers advance their business and the industry. Collaborations with the selected startups will begin in March 2024, with the completed projects only fully announced and detailed at the end of the year.

Startups can benefit from exclusive mentoring from key sector experts at the most relevant firm from the four supporting retail companies. Ultimately, they will see their proposals implemented in an ecosystem that encompasses millions of families across thousands of international shops and online operations.

The fourth edition of Disrupt Retail has a special focus on three main areas, covering:

• Data & customer insights: projects are sought that can harness, analyse and convert data into actionable insights.  

• In-store operations: targeting shop processes, elevating employee productivity, and enhancing overall shopping experiences.  

• Retail media: ideas exploring the up and cross-sell opportunities in this new revenue stream and how it can be rolled out, monetised and so on are invited.  

All four retailers are experienced in working with startups and looking to establish valuable relationships to explore new technologies. Past examples of successful collaborations include Edeka and Captana (SES-Imagotag); MC and Automaise; Żabka and Aifi; plus Shufersal and Shopic.

Commenting on the latest call for ideas, Christoph Diekmeyer, CEO of Edeka Digital GmbH, said: “We are eager to network with partners from all around the world to face challenges with cutting-edge technology. By supporting Disrupt Retail we are confident we  can find innovative solutions and partners for co-creation that will shape the future of retail.” 

According to Pedro Côrte-Real, director of business IT at MC's information systems division: “Innovation, co-operation and co-creation are key to designing new solutions and reaching the next level in retail, for the benefit of our customers, employees and partners.”

“With the 4th edition of Disrupt Retail we want to challenge and help startups to implement their pilot projects in a real context, jointly designing the future."

For Karol Gajewicz, the head of Żabka Group’s Venture Studio, participating in the lab helps its own search for new solutions and partners that can accelerate the transformation of its convenience ecosystem: “It allows us to reach a wide group of innovators,” he said.

Ori Waterman, CEO of Shufersal, maintains that innovation holds a position of utmost importance within his company, adding: “It serves as a guiding principle, steering our company towards pioneering solutions and transformative ideas.”

“Shufersal's commitment to innovation isn't just a value; it's a defining trait that shapes our identity, drives our progress, and ensures that we continue to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of the retail industry."

Any startups that can support these aims – and those of the other three retailers in the specified areas – are invited to apply now to Disrupt Retail.