Retail media, AI, AR, and machine learning: 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 Musgrave, Infosys, Walmart, Rokt, Deliveroo, Co-op, Dollar General, and Alibaba Group.
Archive and ACS
Archive, a technology platform for branded resale, has announced a partnership with Advanced Clothing Solutions (ACS), a UK-based circular and sustainable fashion fulfilment hub.
The aim is to offer apparel, footwear, outdoor, and luxury brands cleaning, repair, and fulfilment of secondhand items on a branded resale marketplace.
ACS says that it will utilise Archive’s resale operations technology to maximise profitability and efficiency for brands embracing circular business models. The first brands in the UK to leverage this partnership include The North Face and PANGAIA.
Co-op
Co-op is laying claim to the UK's first retail media network in the convenience sector.
In a LinkedIn post, Kenyatte Nelson, Chief Membership & Customer Officer at Co-op, said: “Having built my career working for some of the biggest and most recognisable brands, I’ve always had an appreciation of the value of retail media, but most retailers media offerings are pretty samey. Co-op bucks that trend.”
He added: “Convenience shopping is distinctly different vs. supermarket shopping (more frequent, more opportunities to see, higher propensity to try new items etc), and it offers untapped opportunities for brands to boost their sales, given the impulsive nature of convenience shopping missions.”
“By including convenience retail media in the broader media ecosystem, brands have a greater opportunity to enhance sales and help build long team brand health.”
“Given this insight, we are doubling down on our strengths in convenience, creating a unique platform for brands that we believe will enable audience connection, business growth and will ultimately reshape the retail media landscape.”
“This launch is about cementing our position and transforming the way brands engage with their customers nationwide.”
“I’m excited about the possibilities this journey will bring. It signifies not only progress for the Co-op Media Network, but also a new chapter for brands seeking diverse ways to connect with their audiences.”
Musgrave
Infosys has signed a seven-year deal with Musgrave, an Irish food retail, wholesale and foodservice company.
As part of this collaboration, Infosys will help automate Musgrave's IT operations by leveraging its AI and cloud offerings, Topaz and Cobalt.
Through its Cognitive First framework, Infosys will aim to enable digital experiences and boost operational efficiencies by integrating artificial intelligence, machine learning, knowledge management, and cognitive automation capabilities to amplify enterprise intelligence across the value chain for Musgrave.
Dexory and ID Logistics
Dexory, a provider of AI and robotics solutions, and ID Logistics have announced their collaboration as part of the latter’s Astrid programme, deploying autonomous stock taking robots for high speed inventory management.
The aim here is to increase warehouse accuracy and enhance overall efficiency to improve the service provided to their customers.
Deployments have commenced at sites in France and look to expand to additional geographies in 2024.
Walmart
Walmart is expanding its augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) offerings with the launch of a new Optical Virtual Try-On service.
Beginning this month, customers will be able to virtually try on frames and purchase prescription eyewear online through the Walmart app or directly on the retail giant’s website.
Walmart says that, unlike other platforms, it uses 3D data and advanced algorithms to create a digital twin of eyewear frames, resulting in an enhanced experience.
JogOn and ZigZag
REWE Group
REWE Group has partnered with Cimcorp on a project involving an automated fulfilment system for fruit and vegetables at the REWE logistics centre in Oranienburg, Germany, approximately 50 km north of Berlin.
Cimcorp’s intralogistics solution provides order picking for fresh products in plastic crates. The agreement also includes a 24/7 customer support contract.
“Fruit and vegetables are an extremely important commodity group for our customers,” says Lars Sibel, Director SCM and Logistics at Rewe Markt.
“But characterised by heavy physical labour in the warehouses, which makes it difficult to recruit personnel.”
“Cimcorp offers a unique solution to automate fruit and vegetable picking and alleviate physical labor for warehouse workers and thereby ensure the reliable delivery of fruit and vegetables to stores in the future as well.”
Rokt and Deliveroo
Rokt, an e-commerce technology company that uses machine learning and AI to serve relevant offers to shoppers, has announced a partnership with delivery giant Deliveroo on the order tracker page.
Deliveroo has been building its retail media network since launching its advertising platform in 2021.
As part of its newly developed advertising platform, it will now integrate with Rokt, which allows brands to capture the attention of customers directly on e-commerce confirmation pages.
This means that advertisers in the Rokt Ads network can now access Deliveroo's audiences, and Deliveroo can provide the most relevant third-party offers to customers on their order confirmation page.
Alibaba Group
Leisure Lake Bikes
Leisure Lake Bikes has partnered with Confer With, a specialist in the live video shopping space.
In a LinkedIn post, the latter said: “We're thrilled to welcome Leisure Lakes Bikes into our live video shopping family.”
“Get ready for an enhanced online bike shopping experience with expert advice from their specialists, all through live video. Together, we're redefining the way you shop for bikes and gear.”
Amazon
Doug Herrington, CEO Worldwide at Amazon Stores, has taken to social media to discuss Rufus, a new generative AI powered conversational shopping experience.
Launching this week in beta to a small subset of customers in Amazon’s mobile app, this will roll-out to additional US customers in the coming weeks.
Dollar General
Dollar General is teaming with Shelf Engine for a US roll-out of its automated AI ordering technology for produce.
By the end of fiscal year 2023, this collaboration will see Shelf Engine's AI tech implemented in approximately 3,000 stores.
This follows a two phased pilot that began in December 2022 of Shelf Engine’s offering in more than 400 Dollar General stores.
Its platform is designed to generate orders, with a goal of optimising in-stock levels that directly contribute to providing Dollar General customers with the freshest food possible.
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