Including Pricer, Bambuser, and Orquest: last week’s biggest retail technology plays at a glance
RTIH rounds up the stand out retail systems deals, launches, deployments and pilots from the past seven days. Including McDonald’s, Zara, Save A Lot, Gina Tricot, Manchester United, Currys, Carrefour SA, Starboard Group, and Aramark Healthcare+.
Starboard Group
Perfect Corp. has announced a collaboration with vacation retailer Starboard Group.
Starboard is rolling out its SkInsight experience, an interactive AI skin analysis, onboard 30 more cruise ships this month. This delivers detailed skin assessments to guests in seconds, along with personalised skincare regimens featuring products available for purchase onboard.
It made its debut on Carnival Jubilee in December 2023 and will now be available at retail stores on ships across Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Line, Virgin Voyages and TUI Mein Schiff fleets.
“We’re incredibly excited to expand this unique offering to so many more ships this year, allowing us to strategically leverage AI to enhance the retail experience for every skincare lover on board. It’s shopping, but smarter and even more fun!” says Lisa Bauer, Starboard Group President and CEO.
“Our teams have collaborated closely with Perfect Corp to create a bespoke SkInsight app experience for Starboard, which underscores our commitment to innovation, seamlessly weaving engagement into the shopping experience.”
Aramark Healthcare+
Aramark Healthcare+ has launched a new store at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, powered by Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology and located near the main café dining area.
This marks the first Texas hospital to implement Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology and the second fully autonomous micro market within Houston Methodist. The 150 square foot store provides a variety of convenience snacks, beverages, healthy options, and microwaveable frozen meals.
David Hanson, Vice President of Operations at Aramark Healthcare+, says: “The Aramark Healthcare+ team is thrilled to work with Houston Methodist to open Amazon’s first Just Walk Out hospital location in the state.”
“This store underscores our commitment to delivering cutting-edge innovation and unparalleled experiences to patients, caregivers, and guests 24/7.”
People enter by swiping their credit card at the entry gate. The technology tracks items taken from or returned to the shelves. Upon completion, guests can leave without waiting in line, and the chosen payment method is automatically charged.
McDonald’s
Georgia, Kuwait, Qatar, Romania and South Africa have been added to McDonald’s global collaboration with Orquest, which has developed an AI driven in-store workforce scheduling solution.
The roll-out started in Orquest’s home country, Spain.
In a LinkedIn post, Orquest said: “We’re ready to predict demand using AI, optimise employee scheduling, comply with labour regulations, increase productivity and reduce labour costs, and enhance guest service.”
“A big thank you to everyone involved. Let’s move forward, fostering efficiency and crew wellbeing n every restaurant.”
Gina Tricot
SML, which specialises in RFID solutions in stores and supply chains, reports that it has delivered over 98% inventory accuracy to Nordic retailer, Gina Tricot. The collaboration has significantly transformed its in-store operations, delivering enhanced data quality and stock management capabilities.
Having previously adopted RFID technology before partnering with SML, Gina Tricot needed to expand and deepen its use of the technology as the retailer’s omnichannel journey evolved.
Partnering in 2023, Gina Tricot implemented SML's Clarity Store technology to improve inventory management and store operations. The partnership has enabled the retailer to undertake weekly stock counts, ensuring the brand’s data-driven allocation system reaches its full potential.
With access to current and accurate data, which is crucial for optimising inventory management and enhancing customer experiences, Gina Tricot has streamlined a number of operational processes and increased market competitiveness.
AMBEST
AMBEST, a member owned, US wide network of independent truck stops and service centres, has worked with Rovertown on a new mobile app designed to enhance the professional driver experience.
"We're excited to offer AMBEST members the most advanced app solution in the industry," says Chuck Ryan, President and CEO at AMBEST.
"Our team spent over a year reviewing dozens of technology vendors, and every arrow kept pointing back to joining the Rovertown app platform. Our partnership has delivered a truly unique app experience that sets a new standard for the professional driver community.”
A combination of geolocation technology, advanced search tools, and both store level and state level messaging and promotional capabilities ensure a real-time, tailored experience for every driver regardless of their physical location.
Additionally, the app enhances the value of participation in the AMBUCK$ rewards programme - created in 1994 and currently celebrating its 30th anniversary - while amplifying the reach of high value giveaways and providing access to promotions on a range of products, including age restricted offers.
Recognising that professional drivers are looking for ways to stay entertained during freight deliveries, AMBEST chose to develop a racing game called AMBUCK$ 500, featuring a custom designed semi-truck.
Future opportunities to win custom AMBEST merchandise, including trucker hats, will be available to the top players.
Save A Lot
Save A Lot, a US discount grocery wholesaler serving approximately 750 independently owned grocery stores in 32 states, has announced the roll-out of the ReposiTrak Traceability Network (RTN) for automated traceability and compliance with the requirements of the Food Safety Modernisation Act Section 204 (FSMA 204).
RTN will enable Save A Lot suppliers to easily transmit FDA required traceability data for every impacted lot code, every time a shipment is sent to one of Save A Lot’s eight distribution centres.
“We recognised the importance of FSMA 204 to the industry and we were looking for an easy-to-use and affordable solution that works across our total supply chain, from our suppliers all the way through to the independent owners who operate Save A Lot stores,” says Save A Lot Chief Merchandising & Marketing Officer Trey Johnson.
“Traceability is not only an FDA requirement, it’s also part of our ongoing commitment to food safety, regulatory compliance and transparency in our supply chain. After evaluating multiple solutions we are happy to offer our retail partners ReposiTrak’s efficient and affordable path to compliance.”
CarrefourSA
US-based Simbe has announced international expansion into Turkey with CarrefourSA, a subsidiary of Sabanci Holding and Carrefour which operates in over 1,200 stores in 64 provinces and employs a workforce of 15,000.
This comes on the heels of new and expanded deployments with Northeast Grocery, TOPS Friendly Markets, Price Chopper Supermarkets-Market 32, SpartanNash, and Wakefern Food Corp.
CarrefourSA deployed Simbe’s Tally AI and automation solution into select stores this summer. Tally operates three times a day, scanning store aisles to ensure items are stocked and tagged properly.
The robot captures images of products and shelves and processes them in near real-time, which allows store personnel to quickly replenish any missing items. Additionally, Tally monitors and addresses issues related to incorrect labelling that customers may encounter during their shopping experience.
Zara
Video commerce platform specialist Bambuser has announced a live shopping partnership with Zara.
In a LinkedIn post, Louise Blomqvist, President of EMEA at Bambuser, said: “Last week marked a historic moment for our teams, and I couldn’t more proud to share that we’ve partnered with one of the world’s most iconic fashion brands, Zara, for their very first ZaraStreaming.”
“Our collaboration is a testament to the power of innovation and how technology can transform the retail experience. By combining Zara’s dedication to brand and image with our streaming capabilities, we’ve created an interactive, real-time shopping experience both exciting and engaging for customers worldwide.”
Hosted by mother-daughter duo, Cindy Crawford and Kaia Gerber, who brought a Zara collection to life, this offered personal styling tips, with the aim of making the experience engaging and relatable. It was directed by David Lowery and styled by Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele.
Blomqvist concluded: “Thank you to the incredible teams at Bambuser and Zara for making this possible, and to our global community for embracing the power of video shopping with us.”
Cleveland Browns, Aramark Sports + Entertainment and Wicket
Building on the Cleveland Browns’ Express Beer concept, the American football club, along with Aramark Sports + Entertainment and Wicket, have collaborated with technology partners Tapin2 and Mashgin on a deployment of Express Access grab and go concessions at Huntington Bank Field.
This includes facial authentication for payment for both food and beverage and age verification on alcohol purchases for guests 21+ using a valid, government issued ID.
“As the sports industry evolves, so must the gameday experience. Fans want to enjoy everything their stadium offers without missing any action,” says Alicia Woznicki, Vice President of Design and Development, Aramark Sports + Entertainment.
“The success of Express Beer at the Browns’ stadium showed us that fans are interested and willing to enrol in the digital age verification process, which gave us the confidence to expand on a much larger scale and introduce a comprehensive food and beverage programme with the same capabilities.”
New for the 2024 NFL season, the Express Access offering provides building wide coverage, allowing fans to utilise the grab and go concessions model no matter where they are seated in the stadium.
Manchester United
Manchester United has launched its new e-commerce platform after selecting SCAYLE for the project.
This enables transactions across multiple languages and currencies. It also allows for features like ‘make your shirt’ and ‘shop by player’ customisation, fast load times, and a mobile first experience.
The pair say that they will now build on this to develop further innovations for fans as part of their ongoing partnership.
James Holroyd, Manchester United’s Chief Commercial Development Officer, says: “Our new e-commerce platform is a game changer in terms of the quality and reliability of service we can offer fans.”
“We are excited to be working with SCAYLE to set new standards in digital commerce and respond to the growing demand for our products from all corners of the globe.”
“This milestone is an important moment in our partnership and the wider digital transformation of Manchester United as we futureproof the club for a new era of digital engagement with fans.”
Currys
LTIMindtree has worked with Currys, a UK retailer of technology products and services, to enable transformation of its omnichannel retail customer experiences leveraging Salesforce Service Cloud, Commerce Cloud and MuleSoft.
Key solutions implemented include re-platforming of the website to Salesforce Commerce Cloud, the launch of an in-store client app on Experience Cloud, and the implementation of Service Cloud for post-sales support.
Andy Gamble, CIO, Currys, says: “Our collaboration with LTIMindtree has empowered our teams to deliver exceptional experiences for our colleagues and customers. With our new revolutionised omnichannel platform, we are poised to achieve greater operational efficiencies, provide faster service, and drive innovation for future business growth.”
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