Immersive AR experiences and locker robots: RTIH runs you through November’s coolest retail technology plays

RTIH Editor, Scott Thompson, brings you his stand out ‘future of retail’ systems deployments and launches from November, including Walmart, Goddiva, Zyler, Obsess, Benefit Cosmetics, PUMA, AutoStore, Atomic, EyeFitU, Burberry, Intermarché, Shopic, Lekkerland, The New Face, Harper Collective, Bershka and FFFACE.ME.

Lekkerland

Lekkerland, part of REWE Group, has opened its first Smart BOX, an unmanned REWE ready convenience store at an EnBW fast charging park in Kamen, Germany.

In a LinkedIn post, Lekkerland said: “Go in, take items, go out - that's how convenient shopping in the shop is. Artificial intelligence (AI) makes it possible: cameras record which items customers take out. After completing the purchase, the invoice amount is automatically debited from a cashless means of payment that was recorded upon entry.”

It added: “The store that has now opened is the first of its kind in Lekkerland. So far, we operate unmanned shops at more than 20 locations that use different technologies.”

The fast charging park near the Kamener Kreuz, which opened in 2021, is the largest in the EnBW HyperNetz.

Walmart

Walmart’s second No Boundaries drop on ZEPETO has gone live.

This drop includes ten virtual twins of real-world NoBo items from the US retail giant’s winter collection and a “cozy chalet” video booth backdrop for the ZEPETO community to create and share with their friends.

Walmart has also partnered with ZEPETO creator, TuLiP TLP to create three limited edition items inspired by the broader winter collection.

“This type of activation might not resonate with you, but it does resonate with the more than 20 million MAU on ZEPETO,” says Justin Breton, Head of Brand Marketing Innovation at Walmart.

“It’s another example of how we’re meeting the next generation of customers where they are online and empowering them to discover, try-on, and express themselves with virtual fashion, all of which translates to real-world brand love and purchase intent.”

Raymour & Flanigan

Raymour & Flanigan, a US furniture retailer, is leveraging 3D Cloud’s Sectional Configurator solution.

This tool joins 3D Cloud 360 Spins, WebAR (47x ROI), and Room Planner, which has been used to create thousands of buyable room designs.

The aim is to simplify the sectional sofa buying process, offering easy, error free customisation that integrates seamlessly with hybrid online and physical showroom experiences.

The 3D Cloud Sectional Configurator is a key addition to Raymour & Flanigan’s 3D product page strategy.

With over 85% of customers pre-shopping on the website before visiting showrooms, the tool showcases the variety of sectional options available.

"The 3D Cloud platform offers a single source of truth, making it easy for us to manage and deploy 3D content across applications," says Katharine Martin, Senior Site Merchandiser at Raymour & Flanigan.

"With more customers browsing online before visiting showrooms, the 3D Cloud Sectional Configurator helps us deliver a seamless experience. It’s one of many tools we use to provide consistent, top-notch service, connecting shoppers with our associates whether they start or finish their purchase online or in-store.”

Burberry

Burberry has announced a new immersive AR experience.

This festive season, it is launching its first virtual scarf try on offering.

In a LinkedIn post, Seema Kukadia, Digital Innovation Manager at Burberry, said: “Using the latest in web 3D and augmented reality technology, our new immersive experience encourages customers to virtually explore Burberry’s iconic scarves and visualise how the brand's best known accessory will look.”

Available online via Burberry.com and in select stores, customers can use their mobile phone camera to view the scarf styled on themselves in real-time.

The experience has been developed in partnership with WANNA, a provider of AR and 3D experiences for luxury brands.

DPD

DPD says it has become the first UK parcel delivery company to deploy Ottonomy's multi-compartment, fully autonomous ‘locker' robot, Ottobot.  

Larger than DPD's existing autonomous delivery robots, this has a maximum payload of 70kg, eight separate compartments that can carry parcel of varying sizes and can also facilitate collections.  

The robot features four-wheel powered swerve drive with independent steering and suspension, while multiple sensors including light detection and ranging ‘lidars' and cameras, and software enable it to navigate the most complex environments autonomously. 

DPD's first locker robot will be deployed in Milton Keynes, where the company has been operating autonomous robot deliveries since July 2022, which have also since been rolled out in Raunds, Bristol and Lincoln. 

The Ottobot will be based at the firm’s Milton Keynes depot in Knowlhill and will navigate the city's traffic free Redway network to access nearby residential neighbourhoods. The additional compartments not only enable up to eight separate deliveries each time it leaves the depot, but can also accommodate larger parcels in two 38lt compartments. 

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).

Prada and Miu Miu

Snapchatters can now personalise their Bitmoji with handbags from Prada and Miu Miu, including Prada’s Small Galleria Bag in Saffiano Leather and Miu Miu’s Wander Bag, favourites among Gen Z.

Additional fashion looks like Prada’s Cashmere Cardigan and Re-Nylon Baseball Cap and Mix Miu’s Chino Mini Skirt and cropped knitwear are also available for the Bitmoji experience.

In this first to market partnership, Snapchatters can showcase their Prada and Miu Miu handbags throughout the app, from their Snap Profile and Lenses to the Snap Map, Stickers, and more.

In a LinkedIn post, Geoffrey Perez, Global Head of Luxury at Snap, said: “This collaboration marks another milestone in our innovative journey with Prada Group. From pioneering the first ever Bag Try-On AR Lens with Prada in 2021 to creative Try-On AR Lenses with Miu Miu, we continue to push boundaries at the intersection of physical and digital worlds. Get ready to unlock and carry style everywhere!”

Atomic

EyeFitU has launched new footwear sizing technology. This enables customers to find the ideal shoe size based on precise foot measurements.

Atomic, a specialist in the ski and outdoor sports industry, is integrating the solution.

“We’re excited to introduce our footwear sizing solution in partnership with Atomic, a company that shares our dedication to precision and innovation. This technology is a game-changer for footwear sizing, especially in performance driven industries like skiing, where fit is crucial. Together, we’re creating a more personalised shopping experience that customers can trust,” says Isabelle Ohnemus, CEO and Founder at EyeFitU.

Goddiva

Zyler, a specialist in fashion try-on technology, has announced the launch of its AI driven Digital Dressing Room with occasionwear brand Goddiva.

This is activated by clicking on the "Try on & Find Size" button. Shoppers are then able to try on apparel virtually, by using just a few measurements and, if desired, a headshot. After this, they are presented with an on-screen visualisation of themselves in their chosen outfit and can browse through hundreds of items.

The tool also incorporates size recommendation technology from Prime AI, which analyses customer measurements to suggest the best size, factoring in garment fit and brand specific detail for a more accurate and personalised fit.

PUMA

AutoStore and systems integrator Bastian Solutions have announced an expansion of their partnership with PUMA by implementing the former’s system at a new distribution centre in Phoenix, Arizona.

With this new facility, PUMA aims to increase daily order fulfilment from 100,000 to 200,000, enhancing speed, efficiency, and accuracy across the entire retail supply chain.

AutoStore’s cubic storage and retrieval system has been the default automated fulfilment solution integrated with PUMA’s warehouse operations since 2015, serving distribution facilities in Indiana and California.

“Speed is central to our value proposition. That's why our system not only delivers high speed but also ensures accurate operations with minimal energy consumption. This new partnership exemplifies how our solution is perfectly suited for high throughput operations, even during peak demand,” says Mats Hovland Vikse, CEO at AutoStore.

“We are grateful to the team at PUMA for our ongoing collaboration and for trusting us to provide a fulfilment solution that meets the evolving demands of customer service.”

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.

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.