Super-Pharm seeks innovative startups: 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 Chemist Warehouse, Augmodo, Super-Pharm, Wix, Kezzler, Viking Outdoor Footwear, Ikea, Evri, Coca-Cola, MishiPay, Zyler, Puma, and Recursive.

HIVED and Elemental Impact

E-commerce delivery company, HIVED, has completed a reusable packaging pilot backed by Elemental Impact, a non-profit technology investor, to help address the problem of packaging waste.

Teaming up with the meal subscription service Field Doctor and Oakland International, HIVED trialled its circular packaging infrastructure and technology platform to deliver, collect, and return reusable packaging for Field Doctor through its all electric delivery network.

The pilot trialled Oakland’s reusable OakRA box that provides an alternative to traditional cardboard packaging. Field Doctor customers received their weekly meal subscription in an OakRA box delivered by HIVED. The packaging from the previous week was then collected and returned through HIVED’s streamlined and reliable technology platform and physical infrastructure.

Zyler

UK-based fashion technology company Zyler has released a digital Christmas jumper which anyone who visits their website or social media can ‘wear’ for free using its AI powered virtual try on tool.

This was digitally designed by Zenaida Ossana, a 3D artist and fashion designer with a significant following on Instagram. She created the design using new AI platform Neural Fashionand was inspired by seascapes and mermaids in her creative process. She comments: “It was really fun to work on this design knowing that many people might be able to see it and experience the potential of digital fashion for themselves”.

Chemist Warehouse

Augmodo has launched pilots in four Chemist Warehouse locations in Australia.

This involves wearable tech that recommends actions and tasks to increase efficiencies, including restocking shelves, placing orders and improving compliance.

“Every day in each store, our hardworking associates spend hours auditing and working tirelessly to keep products on the shelf,” says Mark Finocchiaro, Managing Partner, CIO & Director at Chemist Warehouse.

“With Augmodo, the AI assistant lets them know which products are out of stock and in the wrong place, and which tasks are needed next. They simply wear the lanyards around their neck and no longer need to spend hours auditing - everything is automatically scanned as they walk the floor, making their role even more valuable. Not only are they helping to provide real-time inventory data, but now have more time to help customers.”

SpatialView is Augmodo’s analytics platform for retail executives and brand partners, which provides real-time visibility into shelf conditions.

“Retailers lose $1.75 trillion in revenue worldwide due to out-of-stocks, preventable returns and overstocks,” says Ross Finman, Founder and CEO at Augmodo. “Our innovative tech helps cut down a good amount of this lost revenue. With better tools, data and insight, we’re working with Chemist Warehouse to decrease data disconnects and make the shopping experience even better for their customers.”  

Super-Pharm

Super-Pharm is on the look out for partners to help the Israeli drugstore retailer innovate, challenge the status quo, and transform the customer experience.

If you're a startup with a game changing solution in the retail technology space, they want to hear from you.

You can share your ideas with them here. Areas of interest includes bricks and mortar, e-commerce and supply chain/sustainability.

Wix

SaaS website builder platform, Wix, has announced the launch of the AI Site-Chat, designed to serve as a virtual agent for customers.

Businesses can use it to connect with visitors 24/7, answer their questions, and provide relevant information in real-time, even when business owners are unavailable.

By integrating with the site’s internal systems, it pulls live data from the website’s resources to deliver accurate, up-to-the-minute information. It is designed to recognise the intent behind each user query, allowing it to deliver more precise search results and tailored recommendations. 

The AI Site-Chat also helps website owners capture leads, ensuring all customer inquiries are answered. Website owners will be able to refine their offerings based on what customers are searching for.

The site-chat is fully customisable to reflect the brand voice, and can be configured with business specific restrictions or preferences, ensuring that it follows company guidelines, such as avoiding certain statements or limitations.

MLSE

MishiPay says that it has transformed the shopping experience for fans attending events at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment’s (MLSE) venue, Scotiabank Arena.

Following a trial in February, MLSE has now completely implemented MishiPay’s checkout solutions in its two flagship Real Sports Apparel stores. With the firm's RFID kiosks, fans are offered a frictionless experience, cutting average checkout time from approximately 90 seconds to around 20 seconds.

This is particularly valuable on busy event days, ensuring large crowds can quickly complete their purchases at Real Sports Apparel. The RFID powered self-checkout eliminates the need to scan individual items.

Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola is bringing its Talk to Santa AI driven festive campaign to outdoor audiences with an exclusive interactive 3D animation as part of its Piccadilly Lights residency in London.

Using Ocean Outdoor’s immersive DeepScreen technology, the campaign invites audiences to create their own traditional Christmas snow globes based on the holiday memories they share with Santa Claus via AI.

The interactive DOOH artwork was created for Coca Cola by Ocean and appears between 3pm and 6pm until Christmas Day.

The campaign forms part of Coca-Cola’s ‘Create Real Magic’ AI campaign. The company's creative agency partner is Accenture. Working with a selection of 2D assets from the AI campaign, the bespoke 3D winter animation amplifies the concept, opening with Coca-Cola’s iconic Sundblom Santa Claus.

Four different virtual snow globes then alternate on the large format screen complete with swirling snowflakes and detailed reflections as the frame ices up. Audiences are invited to scan a QR code to engage in a personalised dialogue with Santa via AI enabled real-time conversations and image generation, creating their own snow globes from favourite holiday memories to share with family and friends on their chosen channels.

Viking Outdoor Footwear

Kezzler, a provider of traceability solutions, has announced a collaboration with Viking Outdoor Footwear and Trimco Group to implement digital product passports (DPPs) for selected styles from Viking’s spring/summer 2025 collection. This marks the second joint project for Kezzler and Trimco Group since formalising their partnership in early October.

“The use of DPPs in our footwear and apparel lines is changing the way we see data management and the possibilities to communicate with our customers,” says Elin Carlsen, Head of Sustainability at Viking Outdoor Footwear.

“DPP places new expectations on data handling in our value chain, but it also opens up exciting opportunities for our repair and care strategy. Kezzler and Trimco Group bring end-to-end solutions that align perfectly with our DPP objectives.”

Grozeo and Uber

Grozeo has teamed up with Uber Direct, Uber’s white label delivery solution.

Retailers on the Grozeo platform can now offer to deliver everything from fresh groceries to last minute gifts within two hours.

Using Uber Direct, retailers will be able to give customers the option to choose rapid delivery or a delivery time slot that suits them, from within their own website or app. They can also leverage the same tracking technology and courier network as Uber Eats.

Grozeo offers various features to help retailers streamline their e-commerce operations, including order and inventory management and a store performance analytics function.

Ikea

Ikea Kreativ now offers a new experience to help users create a cozy, customised bedroom set-up.

In the UK, US and Canada, customers can design their bedrooms, including the ability to scan and design a whole room, explore duvet and accent pillow combinations, and tap an AI powered rules engine that suggests logical product placements.

Parag Parekh, Chief Digital Officer (CDO) at Ikea Retail (Ingka Group), says “We’re thrilled to offer a new experience with Ikea Kreativ, empowering people to design personalised and authentic spaces that support better sleep. Restful sleep is essential for comfort, belonging, and well-being, and this solution helps turn inspiring ideas into cozy, restful environments.” 

Powered by AI and 3D visualisation, Ikea Kreativ is now available in 29 Ikea markets worldwide (apart from China), via both the retailer's website and app. 

Evri

UK parcel delivery company, Evri, has announced a partnership with accessiBe to improve website accessibility using artificial intelligence (AI).

Last month, Evri announced a new plan to become the most accessible company of its type in the UK as it estimates one in four home deliveries go to disabled consumers. 

accessiBe was founded in 2018 and works with brands such as British Airways, BMW and Nintendo. Evri is the first major UK parcel delivery company leveraging its tech to enable disabled consumers to use its website, including tracking, delivery preferences, and booking a courier collection.

The website widget uses AI technology to let consumers choose from several profiles that automatically implement recommended adjustments. These include a seizure safe profile to pause all animation; a vision impaired profile to enhance visuals, adjust contrast and modify colour; and an ADHD friendly profile to enhance focus and reduce distractions.

In addition to the pre-set profile, the interface offers dozens of custom adjustments such as keyboard navigation, text magnification, font size and contrast adjustments, sound muting, and image hiding.

The Mall Group

TROLLEE reports the launch of its smart cart technology in partnership with Thailand-based retailer The Mall Group.

Starting on 12th December, customers at Gourmet Market branches in Paragon, EmQuartier, and EmSphere will be able to use one of 200 smart carts. Plans are afoot to expand to The Mall Lifestyle stores in 2025.

“Customers today have a better understanding of technology and are choosing to shop through both offline and online channels,” says Ploychompu Umphuj, Vice President-Gourmet Market at The Mall Group.

“At the same time, they are increasingly looking for real-time promotions and rewards, seeking a shopping experience that meets their need for speed, time saving, and personalisation. Smart carts are therefore being launched to enhance the shopping experience.”

Sensei and Cinemas NOS

Sensei and Cinemas NOS are bringing autonomous shopping to the movie going experience.

In a LinkedIn post, Sensei said: “Going to the cinema should be pure enjoyment - immersing yourself in a great story, laughing out loud, or holding your breath during a suspenseful scene.”

“But let’s face it: waiting in line for snacks? Total mood killer; missing the opening scene for popcorn? Story ruined; walking in after the lights are down? Nobody enjoys the “walk of shame”; midnight session snack cravings? Forget it if the bar’s closed.”

Sensei has partnered with Cinemas NOS and Shift4 to address these painpoints. Hot and cold autonomous cabinets are placed near screening rooms, offering warm popcorn or an ice cold drink in seconds.

Meanwhile, an autonomous pod at the entrance provides expanded snack options like chocolates, chips, and candy. People can tap their card, grab their favourites, and head straight to their seats.

Puma and Recursive

Recursive has wrapped the second instalment of Puma Arcade, the immersive experience it has been refining over the past 18 months; this time in Puma’s new Las Vegas flagship store.

The 25,000 square foot space, which spans three stories, aims to “redefine what it means to be a bricks and mortar location in today's rapidly evolving digital world”.

“I am thrilled that we are opening a state-of-the-art flagship store in Las Vegas as part of our brand elevation strategy. Located along the iconic Las Vegas Strip, this flagship allows us to expand our presence in North America to connect with US consumers and international visitors alike,” says Arne Freundt, Chief Executive Officer at Puma.

“I believe that our new Las Vegas Flagship is essential for conveying the true character of our brand and for creating an immersive, interactive shopping experience as it will redefine in-person shopping by seamlessly merging sports performance, latest fashion trends, and technology.”

The store features a variety of immersive and interactive features powered by technology. It offers customers attractions such as a professional F1 racing simulator, the aforementioned interactive arcade, and a customisation studio where customers can personalise apparel and footwear.