Walmart community first approach pays off: RTIH runs through December's coolest retail technology plays

RTIH Editor, Scott Thompson, brings you his stand out ‘future of retail’ systems deployments and launches from December, including Ulta Beauty, Lekkerland SE, Reckon.ai, Zyler, Detroit Pistons, MeetKai, Shopic, Evri, e.l.f. Cosmetics, and Obsess.

Walmart Chile

After a pilot with Walmart Chile, Shopic’s AI powered smart cart technology is now rolling out to five Líder Express stores.

“We are committed to helping our customers save money and live better. Implementing new technologies that save time for our customers is one of the ways we bring this mission to life. We are excited to expand into five new districts, bringing innovation to more people, enhancing their shopping experience, and putting a smile on our customers' faces with every visit," says Frank Eckert, Central Operations Manager at Walmart Chile.

With a clip-on device, any trolley turns into a smart cart. Equipped with two cameras, the smart cart recognises thousands of SKUs with over 95% accuracy in product recognition, according to Shopic's analysis.

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.”

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.

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”.

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.

Detroit Pistons

MeetKai and the Detroit Pistons have officially launched Detroit Pistons World, a new virtual fan experience.

Powered by MeetKai’s digital twin technology, people can step into an immersive environment that transports them directly into an exact digital replica of the Pistons’ home court at Little Caesars Arena, designed to make you feel as though you’re an active participant in the game.

There, visitors will be cheered on by fans as they compete in a mini-game where they’ll test their skills with a t-shirt cannon, aiming to hit targets and win prizes. The arena will also serve as a hub for future sponsorships, offering fans an opportunity to engage with brands in new ways.

“We are incredibly excited to bring this immersive virtual experience to life in collaboration with the Pistons,” says James Kaplan, Co-Founder and CEO at MeetKai. “With a vision to bring fans closer to the game, this collaboration marks a transformative step in how sports teams engage with their global fanbase, blending the physical and digital worlds in a way that has never been done before.”

e.l.f. Cosmetics

e.l.f. Cosmetics, an e.l.f. Beauty brand, and experiential e-commerce company Obsess have announced the launch of the Virtual Luxe Lounge, an immersive digital shopping experience for e.l.f. Beauty Squad members in the US and the UK.

This is its loyalty programme, now offering members the opportunity to explore a speakeasy themed, 3D environment where they can shop new product drops for the holiday season and access exclusive coupons to redeem at checkout.

“Our community is at the heart of everything that we do and we’re thrilled to offer our most loyal community a unique and interactive way to shop our most coveted holy grail products,” says Ekta Chopra, Chief Digital Officer, e.l.f. Beauty. “e.l.f. Beauty Squad members are incredibly important to us, and we’re excited to bring them an exclusive shopping experience that will give them new ways to earn and redeem rewards.”

“This is the first time we’re incorporating a loyalty programme into a 3D, virtual experience to exclusively offer its most engaged audience a new way to shop,” says Neha Singh, Founder and CEO at Obsess.

“e.l.f. has cemented itself as an innovative brand leader, and we are thrilled to partner with the company once again, following the success of our previous collaborations to launch virtual shopping experiences.”

Walmart

Walmart’s virtual experience on Roblox, Walmart Discovered, has officially surpassed 30 million total visits with a sustained approval rating of 96% and more than 2.1 million hours of play time (source: GEEIQ).

The milestone comes as Walmart Discovered Holiday Update on Roblox goes live, with the US retail giant launching its first ever emote as chosen by its community. The update also includes new real-world items with free virtual items in a gifting pop-up.

Other highlights include:

Virtual Holiday Market with curated UGC and experiences

Gifting feature and holiday rewards calendar with daily updates

Free limited UGC and festive in-game effects for avatars

New winter themed cart upgrades and effects for Glide & Seek

Weekly community events and discussions on Discord

Updated AR experience with new UGC and limited time quest

“From the beginning, Walmart Discovered has been an experience by and for the community. And in my opinion, our community first approach, which we consistently lean on to make decisions, is the driving force of our success,” says Justin Breton, Head of Brand Marketing Innovation at Walmart.