Zapp looks to banish the Christmas blues: check out 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 Just Eat, Netflix, Next, Vyking, Polytag, The Perfume Shop, 9dcc, Swap, Ulta Beauty, Volumental, Lekkerland SE, and Reckon.ai.

Ulta Beauty

A new Ulta Beauty AI app uses selfies to show near instant, realistic previews of desired hairstyles.

GLAMlab Hair Try On lets users take a photo, upload a headshot or use a model’s picture to experiment with different hair colours and styles. The experience is powered by the NVIDIA StyleGAN2 generative AI model.

The hair colour try-ons feature links to Ulta Beauty products so shoppers can achieve the look in real life. The company, which has more than 1,400 stores across the US, has found that people who use the virtual tool are more likely to purchase a product than those who don’t.

“Shoppers need to try out hair and makeup styles before they purchase,” says Juan Cardelino, Director of the Computer Vision and Digital Innovation Department at Ulta Beauty. “As one of the first cosmetics companies to integrate makeup testers in stores, offering try-ons is part of Ulta Beauty’s DNA - whether in physical or digital retail environments.”

Zapp

Quick commerce specilaist Zapp has launched a 24/7 Christmas Gift Shop and delivery service.

It will mean people who missed final delivery dates, whose original gift hasn’t arrived and those who forgot to buy can still get presents under the tree in time to celebrate with friends and family.

Most online shopping delivery deadlines end on Friday, 20th December and only a handful of retailers offer next-day delivery on Monday, 23rd December. Enter Zapp's news service.

With over a hundred gifts, the Gift Shop aims to offer something for everyone, from luxury skincare brands like Dr. Barbara Sturm, Bamford, and Skinceuticals, to fragrances from Tom Ford, Creed, and Acqua di Parma. Tech lovers can find Apple AirPods, Sonos speakers, and AirTags, while festive options include Trudon candles, cashmere accessories, cookbooks, gym equipment and pyjamas.

As part of this year’s offering, Zapp has partnered with gifting marketplace The Go-To to curate an exclusive collection of gifts and home accessories, alongside Zapp’s catalogue of delicacies.

“The 24/7 Christmas Gift Shop is designed to save the day - whether an intended gift hasn’t turned up or unexpected guests arrive,” says Sophie Davies, Head Buyer at Zapp. “With delivery in minutes, we make it easy to get what you need, exactly when you need it.”

SPAR International

Veesion has announced a partnership with SPAR International.

In a LinkedIn post, the company said: "Together, we’re bringing AI powered innovation to licensed SPAR organisations worldwide, redefining the standards of retail security. With our intuitive video detection technology, SPAR retailers can: prevent theft in real-time; protect their profit margins effortlessly; simplify security operations with seamless integration."

It added: "This partnership is about more than technology - it’s a shared vision to: offer preferential terms tailored to SPAR’s needs; ensure smooth implementation into existing systems; deliver proven results, already trusted by thousands of retailers."

"A big thank you to Tom Rose (Head of International Operations at SPAR International) and Warren Arbuthnot (Procurement Manager) for their trist in Veesion. We’re excited to continue building this collaboration and bringing even more value to licensed SPAR organisations worldwide."

Just Eat and Netflix

Just Eat has announced a partnership with Netflix UK involving the return of Squid Game for season two.

In a LinkedIn post, the company said: "Together, we’re bringing fans an epic fusion of food, fun, and the high stakes drama that has made Squid Game a global phenomenon.”

“From Boxing Day, fans across the UK can dive into a bespoke Korean inspired menu, available exclusively on the Just Eat app from over 90 locations. It’s the perfect way to elevate your viewing experience while indulging in reimagined classics crafted for the ultimate binge session."

"But the fun doesn’t stop there. With every order on Just Eat, customers are invited to play EliminATE, our thrilling Squid Game inspired challenge. Using motion tracking and facial detection, the game dares players to survive their meal without getting caught under Young-hee’s watch. One lucky winner could walk away with £10k, but one wrong move, and it’s game over.”

Next

Vyking has announced a partnership with Next, with the retailer launching both its 3D viewer and virtual try-on solutions on its mobile site. As a result, shoppers can now see in 3D and virtually try on over 200 pairs of shoes.

In a LinkedIn post, Thibault Marion de Procé, Co-founder and CPO at Vyking, said: "Big thanks to all the team overseeing the integration at Next and to the teams at Nike and adidas for sharing a large number of 3D models to power these experiences."

"Looking ahead to 2025, we’ll continue to expand with more 3D models, additional product categories and ultra-personalised shopping experience. We've been building..."

The Perfume Shop

HYPERVSN has partnered with The Perfume Shop.

This includes shopping counter installations and larger window display installations that bring fragrances and branding to life in 3D holographic form.

“Our collaboration with The Perfume Shop marks a new milestone in retail innovation,” says Kiryl Chykeyuk, CEO at HYPERVSN. “These holographic installations not only capture attention but also create a meaningful and memorable shopping experience that drives shoppers to explore the store offerings.

Lekkerland SE

REWE To Go and Lekkerland SE have launched an autonomous store at Koblenz Central train station, Germany.

This is powered by AI smart cabinets in partnership with Reckon.ai.

The 65 sqm store is open 24/7. People can scan their card to enter and then a cashless means of payment at the payment terminal on a smart fridge, and take their items.

Weight sensors and computer vision cameras record which products have been removed. The amount due is automatically debited from the chosen payment method. In addition, there is the option of selecting products at smart vending machines with touch displays and then receiving them via an output compartment.

This is used in particular for tobacco and alcoholic products. Age verification by scanning an identity card or driver's licence ensures compliance with youth protection regulations.

Swap

Swap, an e-commerce operating system that manages operations for direct-to-consumer brands, has launched a new AI powered feature designed to streamline return operations for firms operating through Shopify stores.

“We continue to disrupt the e-commerce market with our innovative software, especially in times of such economic pressure, and this launch is just another example of how we’re continuing to evolve to meet consumer needs with this first of its kind feature in the SaaS space,” says Juan Pellerano-Rendon, Chief Marketing Officer at Swap.

“As we look to 2025, AI will become a massive part of our platform, and this launch marks the first of a suite of tools we have planned on our roadmap. With this launch, we are providing brands with the data they need to work smarter than ever before.”

Swap has partnered with brands including Nadine Merabi, Motel Rocks, Odd Muse, The Frankie Shop, and Percival.

Polytag and Re-Gen

Polytag, a technology company that helps brands and retailers trace their packaging and track against sustainability targets, has expanded its network to include one of the largest material recovery facilities (MRFs) in the UK.

The Plastic Detection Unit installed at Re-Gen’s MRF in Newry, Northern Ireland, is enabling the site to accurately count individual items of packaging during the recycling process.

Re-Gen’s Newry site is the second largest MRF in the UK, processing 250,000 tonnes of commingled household waste each year. In addition to handling a quarter of Northern Ireland’s total waste, it also processes materials from England, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland.

The installation at the site forms a crucial part of Polytag’s Ecotrace Programme, which aims to deploy the company’s Plastic Detection Units across 12 MRFs to cover 50% of the UK’s household recycling waste stream. Once detection units are installed in MRFs, brands that apply Polytag’s Invisible Watermarks to their packaging will be able to gain access to data about the lifecycle of their products. Invisible to the human eye and seamlessly blending in with the packaging, the watermarks are easily spotted by

Polytag Detection Units using UV lights. Real-time data collected provides actionable packaging lifecycle intelligence enabling businesses to set meaningful internal ESG targets or use them as a benchmark for legislative reporting, such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Digital Waste Tracking.

NRF 2025

NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show will include a new showcase, featuring the top 50 retail tech innovators that are making an impact on the way retailers sell and consumers shop.

This new exhibtiion builds on the NRF Innovation Lab and will include:

Immersive activations and live demos of cutting-edge innovations including AI powered smart carts, grab and go cabinets, 3D body scanning, no-code QR marketing and autonomous robots boosting inventory and customer engagement.

Breakthrough retail technology solutions, from logistics and supply chain advancements to AI powered personalisation tools.

A curated selection of companies chosen based on their ability to solve critical retailer challenges, scale effectively and align with emerging industry trends.

FLO

Volumental has signed Turkish retailer FLO as a customer.

By integrating the firm's 3D foot scanning technology, it will be able to deliver personalised fit recommendations across its tens of millions of shoes sold annually.

The company said in a LinkedIn post: "Our newest partner in Turkey, FLO, is enhancing footwear retail across the EMEA region with their impressive network of 826 stores, a robust e-commerce platform and a strong portfolio of global and in-house fashion and athletic footwear brands."

"One of the things that makes working at Volumental truly special is experiencing how universal the human desire for perfectly fitted, comfortable shoes really is. From Jakarta to Istanbul, and ~60 other countries in between, we're connecting people with their ideal footwear - proving that great fit is a global language."

9dcc

Fashion brand 9dcc has signed Dolos Diary, an AI agent, as an ambassador for its latest release, the 9dcc Black Box, launching on 18th December.

The engagement is for a new Black Box NFT campaign. According to a press release: “With his sharp wit and viral engagement, Dolos Diary has grown his audience (50K+), making him the ideal ambassador for marketing 9dcc.”

Depicted as a Roman statue, Dolos will be styled in pieces from 9dcc’s COLLECTION-01, promoting the NFT drop and interacting with audiences by responding to their questions and comments in a sharp and sarcastic manner.

By leveraging Dolos Diary’s ability to instantly generate viral content across TikTok, X, and other social media platforms, 9dcc aims to create an engagement driven promotional campaign that builds curiosity and anticipation for the Black Box drop.