German retail giant REWE Group taps Catch AI platform as it tests out digital shopping trolleys in stores

German retailer REWE Group has inked a deal with Israeli startup Catch to test Catch AI, a platform that operates across the likes of smart carts, smartphones, and self-checkout kiosks.

In the first phase of the agreement, the solution has been implemented in 110 carts at supermarket REWE Center, located in Cologne.

Each cart will be equipped with a tablet delivering a smart personal assistant to shoppers.

This allows people to scan their handwritten shopping lists or digitally transfer their shopping lists using a tablet. It does not require registration or app download, enabling anonymity throughout the shopping process.

Catch was founded in 2022 by Shlomi Dayan, CEO, and Itai Lishner, CTO, both former executives at Trax.

Smart fridges

REWE Group recently launched a REWE Ready ‘smart shop’ at the EnBW Hypernetz EV Charging Hub in Lichtenau/Chemnitz, Germany.

Customers can buy Rewe and Go sandwiches, wraps, salads, get a beer, buy cigarettes, and enjoy a cappuccino while they are charging their cars.

In a LinkedIn post, Mehmet Tözge, Director Smart Store Development at Lekkerland SE, said: “Lekkerland SE customer preferences have changed. End consumers want to shop 24/7, fast and with as few contacts as possible.”

The store includes smart fridges from Reckon.ai.

Shoppers scan their card, open the door, take their products, close the door and leave within 30 seconds.

Tözge said: “The combination of computer vision cameras with sensor fusion enables us to offer end consumers a unique, reliable and seamless way of shopping. The time to market and the ease of implementation: smart fridges are plug and play devices. Going live is a matter of seconds.”

He added: “New products are added within a couple of minutes. All temperature zones are possible. Shopping by Tap&Go or by mobile Application and much more.”

Ana Pinto, CEOat Reckon.ai. commented: “This is our first shop at an EV charging station powered by our AI smart cabinets, creating a fully autonomous shopping experience. The future is now.”