Automated DC milestones and TikTok Shop firsts: running you through this 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 JYSK, Asda, M&M’S, Bershka, FFFACE.ME, Benefit Cosmetics, Obsess, Instacart, Rohlik Group, Amazon and FoodMaxx.

Intermarché

As part of a collaboration with Shopic and Capgemini, Intermarché has become the first European retailer to trial a smart cart solution at its store in Provins, France (77 - Seine-et-Marne).

Using an AI powered device, each cart can automatically detect items.

A clip on device, which can be attached to any standard cart, is powered by computer vision technology. Customers can track their budget in real-time, check their loyalty points, and see offers and promotions directly applied to their cart total.

A long-term goal is to integrate and personalise retail media features (such as advertisements and supplier offers throughout the shopping journey).

Aldi, Gelson’s, and Hornbacher’s

Instacart reports that new grocers are connecting their electronic shelf labels (ESL) hardware to Carrot Tags pick to light functionality.

Carrot Tags is Instacart’s software solution that integrates into a retailer’s electronic shelf labels (ESL) hardware to enable incremental functionality, including pick to light capabilities. The aim is to enable retailers to provide a reliable online ordering experience to their customers by helping e-commerce shoppers locate ordered items, which in turn improves order accuracy. 

Aldi, Gelson’s, and Hornbacher’s are the latest retailers to roll out Carrot Tags following a recent chain wide rollout at Schnucks earlier this year. Carrot Tags is part of Instacart’s Connected Stores suite of technologies, including Caper Carts, FoodStorm, and Eversight.

Rohlik Group and Amazon

Rohlik Group, through its subsidiary Knuspr.de, has announced a partnership with Amazon.de to offer a new e-grocery service to Amazon Prime members in Germany.

The collaboration will utilise Knuspr's fulfilment technology and a diverse range of products, providing Prime members with rapid delivery.

Following a Berlin launch, the service will soon expand to the Munich metropolitan area and the Rhine-Main region.

“We are excited to offer Knuspr grocery deliveries to our Prime members in Germany,” says Ganesh Rao, Vice President at Amazon Grocery International. “Knuspr offers a broad, regionally focused assortment, and fast, flexible deliveries and this partnership reinforces our commitment to bringing together low prices, vast selection, fast delivery options that Amazon customers know and love.” 

“We are proud to partner with Amazon to accelerate the transformation of Germany’s e-food market. This partnership gives Prime members access to our broad and unique assortment, saving them time while ensuring convenience and quality,” says Tomas Cupr, Founder and CEO at Rohlik Group. 

“While Knuspr.de will continue to serve customers directly, this collaboration aims to expand Rohlik´s reach and reinforces its position in the German market.”

JYSK

Home furnishing retailer JYSK says that it has reached a milestone in the construction of its new distribution centre in Lelystad, near Amsterdam in the Netherlands with the first column now erected.

Building work on the 147,000 square metre, automated facility, located close to a temporary centre at Lelystad, near Amsterdam in the Netherlands, began last summer.

On Tuesday, 5th November, the construction team held a ceremony with the placement of the first column to symbolise the start of the vertical construction. JYSK representatives placed the column together with local officials such as the mayor of Lelystad, Mieke Baltus. Over 100 guests, including all employees from the temporary distribution centre, were in attendance.

"This is truly a milestone we have all been looking forward to. We are now seeing the first outlines of what will become our high tech distribution centre. This is not only an important moment in construction but a great achievement for everyone involved," says Rob Deinum, Project & Technical Manager at JYSK.

Asda

Asda is piloting a self-service returns system where shoppers can deposit unwanted or faulty products and be automatically refunded.

A trial is underway at the retailer’s Ashton-under-Lyne store in Greater Manchester. Asda is also testing out a service allowing shoppers to buy tobacco and vape products without having to queue at the traditional kiosk.

In a LinkedIn post, Alexander Lacy, Senior Manager - Retail Front End Service and Back Office at Asda, said: “Self-service returns is live. Massive well done to all the people involved in landing our brand new self- service returns concept in our Ashton store in Greater Manchester.”

M&M’S

M&M’S has launched its first ever TikTok Shop.

In a LinkedIn post, Kerry Columbro, M&M’S US Digital Director, said: “It has been an exciting journey, learning how to turn social content into commerce. For a limited time only, you can get the M&M’S x Kate Spade New York collection on TikTok Shop, with an exclusive candy gift with each purchase.”

She added: “Looking for other treats for the holiday season? We have those, too. Special thanks to our partners TikTok (Din Kuses), agency partners Flywheel (Lily Grant) and an internal team who broke barriers to make this happen! Lauren Browder Eric Lucari Marissa Beck Viola and many more.”

Kate Spade New York and M&M’s have collaborated on a new, limited edition collection of jewelery, accessories and handbags ahead of the forthcoming holiday season.

The British & Irish Lions

The British & Irish Lions, in collaboration with its kit supplying partner Canterbury and jersey sponsor Howden, has teamed up with Connected Fanatics and its partner, Web3 Sports Ventures, to launch the first ever Connected Lions Jersey. This will be worn for the Qatar Airways Lions Men’s Series 2025 in Australia.

The jersey contains an NFC (Near Field Communication) chip enabled smart tag, produced by Avery Dennison, that links fans directly to The Lions Clubhouse, an immersive digital community app that aims to deepen the connection between the Lions and their global supporters, offering an experience of digital ownership and interaction powered by Connected Fanatics’ Lockeroom technology platform.

By tapping their phone on the jersey’s smart tag located at the bottom of the jersey, fans can access exclusive content, a dedicated fan forum, and exclusives from Canterbury and Howden. The app will also host AMA sessions with Lions and rugby legends.

The jersey’s Match Day feature, to be exclusively launched globally to fans owning a connected jersey in 2025 ahead of the tour, will allow people to check in on game days, access match content, and digitally save experiences.

Bershka and FFFACE.ME

Bershka and FFFACE.ME have unveiled what is pitched as the world’s first TikTok clothing collection, merging fashion and digital innovation in a fresh new way.

This marks the fifth collaboration between the two brands, featuring five exclusive items that connect physical apparel with interactive experiences on TikTok.

The release builds upon a previous Bershka x FFFACE.ME Semi-Digital drops, which inspired over 64,000 pieces of user-generated content, more than ten million online impressions, and achieved a complete sell-out.

Another distinctive feature of this drop is a pivot from the Instagram Filter platform to the world of TikTok Effect House.

The new collection includes five items with designs inspired by TikTok trends. Each piece incorporates an augmented reality (AR) element, activated by scanning a QR code with a smartphone. By focusing the camera on the garment, users bring the design to life, transforming it into engaging, TikTok ready content.

Amazon and FoodMaxx

Amazon is offering same-day grocery delivery from select FoodMaxx locations serving customers in Central and Northern California.

Customers in Bakersfield, Hayward, Sacramento, San Jose, and Turlock can now place grocery orders online.

Amazon is also expanding its existing grocery delivery service with Save Mart to three additional stores in Auburn, Bakersfield, and Chico, and with Lucky Supermarkets to four additional locations in Foster City, Hollister, Napa, and Oakley.

“FoodMaxx shares in our goal to offer tremendous price, selection, and convenience to grocery shoppers, so we’re thrilled to be able to provide fast delivery from Amazon to FoodMaxx customers throughout California,” says Christian Seitel, Head of US Grocery Partnerships at Amazon.

“We work with more than 20 grocery and specialty retailers globally to meet the needs of a broad range of customers and shoppers, and it’s through retailers like FoodMaxx that we’re able expand our grocery offering and deliver items from beloved neighbourhood brands like FoodMaxx to price conscious shoppers looking for the utmost value. We look forward to further building our relationship with them and the rest of The Save Mart Companies stores.”

Benefit Cosmetics

Benefit Cosmetics has announced the launch of its first virtual 3D shopping experience, The Benemart, in partnership with Obsess.

This is available in countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and France beginning 4th November. Shoppers will have a chance to add Benefit's sets to their digital cart, virtually try on their favourite products, shop with friends, and play games with a chance to win discounts at checkout.

"The Benemart is our very first 3D virtual shopping experience, and we are thrilled to welcome visitors inside to experience beauty like never before,” says Toto Haba, SVP Global Omnichannel Marketing at Benefit Cosmetics.

“This immersive shopping adventure blends our unique brand storytelling with the unforgettable, grocery inspired world that only Benefit can offer. Making people feel good and having fun is part of our DNA, so leading with entertainment to bring our holiday collection to life was a no-brainer.”

"Obsess has been a strong partner in creating a branded world that blends storytelling with play-driven discovery in a way that elicits the same kind of thrill as the in-store shopping experience. The virtual experience mimics a video game, which we know is something that will resonate with young digital shoppers."

Harper Collective

Harper Collective, a sustainable lifestyle travel brand co-founded by Jaden Smith and Sebastian Manes, is partnering with French tech firm The New Face.

Breaking away from what the pair label ‘pixelated and basic digital platforms of the past’, they have crafted an interactive 360-degree online world.

Instead of opening physical stores, Smith and his team are taking their vision fully digital. In this immersive environment, visitors don’t just browse products - they explore a virtual world.

Users can walk through a succession of rooms, watch artisans craft Harper Collective’s luggage, and dive into the brand’s commitment to sustainability art and craftsmanship.