GenAI, computer vision, and new commerce platforms: RTIH pulls together 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 Currys, Walmart, Lidl, Ikea, DKNY, REWE Group, Trigo, AiFi, TalkShopLive, Rolling Stone and Kate Hudson.
Currys
Currys, an omnichannel retailer of technology and electrical products and services, has selected Accenture and Microsoft to deliver its core cloud technology infrastructure that will enable it to leverage the latest AI technologies to enhance operations, elevate the shopping experience, and improve the colleague experience for its 25,000 people.
Accenture and Microsoft, together with their joint venture Avanade, will work with Currys to modernise, secure and simplify its technology estate, enabling Currys to accelerate the adoption of Microsoft AI technologies such as Azure OpenAI Service.
Alex Baldock, Group CEO, Currys, says, “AI is the biggest technological leap of our life time. Currys exists to help everyone enjoy amazing technology, so as well as bringing the benefits of AI to millions of customers, we’ll do the same to our own business.”
“We couldn’t have better partners for this, and together we aim to put Currys at the forefront of digital transformation in retail. We’re just starting out here, but the possibilities are vast. I’m looking forward to unlocking big benefits for our colleagues, customers and shareholders.”
Lidl
REWE Group
Christoph Eltze, Chief Digital and Technology Officer at German grocery giant, REWE Group, has taken to social media to discuss the retailer’s Pick&Go store format landing in Düsseldorf, Germany, and how this marks the start of a new test phase for its autonomous shopping experience.
In a LinkedIn post, he said: “This is because we are constantly working on responding more and more flexibly to the needs of our customers, including with our Pick&Go innovation. For the first time in Düsseldorf, we are relying on the principle of four wins.”
Customers in Düsseldorf can decide at the exit of the store which shopping route they want to take, choosing between four options:
Cashierless payment via the Pick&Go app; manual scanning of products at the self-checkout terminal; payment at the conventional tape cash register; or payment at self-checkout terminals with computer vision support, which eliminates the need for scanning.
Ikea
Ikea has announced that it will be hosting car boot events across more of its stores this spring, following a pilot last year.
The retailer is set to host the events at its Cardiff and Exeter stores on 18th and 19th May, and in Milton Keynes on 19th May.
The aim is to give locals a space to sell unwanted home furnishing goods, decorations and more (which don’t have to be Ikea products) to give a new lease of life to old items.
With a growing environmental awareness shaping the way consumers value the things they own, and how they shop, the event also aims to support buyers looking for more budget friendly and sustainability conscious solutions.
Wolt
Finnish delivery service Wolt is opening its platform with the new service Wolt Drive.
This provides its logistics offering to other businesses, enabling deliveries within 35 minutes. In a nutshell, every store, service provider, or e-commerce merchant can now access Wolt's delivery network in Vienna.
Customers can now select the Wolt Drive option when shopping online at Sacher. Other businesses include mel&koffie, Schachtelwirt, and Ginza Yipin.
Pio
Pio, a plug and play automated warehouse system leveraging cube storage technology by AutoStore, is now available to all small and midsize e-commerce businesses (SMBs) in the United States.
AutoStore is a warehouse automation company with over 1,500 installations worldwide for the likes of Macy’s, Ikea, and Puma.
Its proprietary cube storage technology is said to offer the densest product and inventory storage solution on the market.
AutoStore says it created Pio as part of its mission to make cube storage technology accessible to all.
Now, Pio’s P100 automated warehouse system has launched in the US with five new customers: Privada Cigar Club, Sunday Swagger, Souko, Barnes 4WD, and AI Stone.
Marvel Stadium
Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia has installed Mashgin's AI powered self-checkout kiosks.
With 26 new kiosks positioned around the stadium, Mashgin's second location in Australia, fans can now experience quicker service and spend more time enjoying the game.
Marvel Stadium, known for its retractable roof and modern facilities, opened in 2000.
Home to five Australian Football League (AFL) teams, including the Essendon Bombers and the St Kilda Saints, it also serves as the headquarters for the AFL.
With a seating capacity of over 56,000, it hosts a variety of other events, ranging from cricket matches to concerts.
Amazon
Amazon has opened its first micromobility hub in Northern Ireland at its delivery station in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter.
This now houses a fleet of electric cargo bikes which will deliver thousands of packages per week to Amazon customers.
Belfast joins more than 40 cities in the UK and across Europe which have Amazon micromobility hubs facilitating electric cargo bike and on-foot deliveries, part of a £300 million investment to electrify and decarbonise Amazon’s UK transportation network.
Electric cargo bikes and walkers are now expected to make millions of deliveries to customers across the UK every year.
TalkShopLive, Rolling Stone and Kate Hudson
Video commerce and retail media enablement platform TalkShopLive has partnered with Rolling Stone to simulcast a living room concert hosted by singer/songwriter and Oscar nominated actress Kate Hudson whose debut album, Glorious, arrives on 17th May.
The event marks TalkShopLive's first ever collaboration with the magazine.
At 8 p.m. Eastern on 17th May, viewers can watch the shoppable simulcast interview and concert via Hudson’s Instagram feed, Facebook page, Rollingstone.com, TalkShop.Live and across the TalkShopLive Content Distribution Network.
Hudson will offer autographed CDs and Vinyl of Glorious along with album themed merchandise.
Ocean Outdoor
Under Armour, Pepsi, the cosmetics brand R.E.M. Beauty, Universal and Mini are the launch partners for the expansion of Ocean Outdoor’s premium full motion network, The Loop, which launches at Battersea Power Station in London this week.
Ocean’s interactive small format network is the latest addition to its Battersea Power Station portfolio, which combines full motion screens with immersive experiential areas and the opportunity for bespoke murals and projections.
The Loop at Battersea Power Station is an extension of Ocean’s UK Loop network which exists in Manchester, Birmingham, St James Quarter in Edinburgh and Canary Wharf.
Battersea Power Station opened to the public in October 2022 and was recently recognised as one of the top 20 ‘Best Cultural Spots’ in National Geographic’s Best Of The World Series 2024.
In 2023, the riverside neighbourhood welcomed more than 11.2 million visitors, the Christmas period seeing a 30% year on year increase (source: Springboard).
The Loop offers enhanced creative opportunities including on screen and mobile augmented reality (AR), mixed reality including gaming and interactivity, live data and video feeds across a total of 41 internal screens positioned across all levels.
Walmart
Justin Breton, Director of Brand Experiences & Strategic Partnerships at Walmart, has taken to social media to share three things he’s heard from the retailer’s community and the industry following a real-world commerce launch on Roblox last week.
In a LinkedIn post, he said: “I ordered the tumbler and got it the next day! It came so fast.” – We’re instilling Walmart as a reliable digital destination with fast delivery.”
He added: “Someone asked where I got this bag. I told them I bought it from Walmart on Roblox.” – We’re helping establish a new commerce platform.”
“This will create money making opportunities for creators.” – While we’re still testing, people already see the long-term potential.”
Breton concluded: “There’s so much more to come from our team this year, so keep your eyes peeled for what’s next. And something’s coming soon.”
DKNY
DKNY has partnered with Dubit, an in-game retailer, to introduce a collection of virtual jackets, handbags, and hats from its recently debuted Heart of New York collection, on Roblox.
DKNY’s virtual offerings will be accessible across multiple Roblox games. The brand is also offering 10,000 units of a specialty DKNY item exclusively for Roblox players to redeem.
“We’re honoured to take DKNY into Roblox, creating an exclusive range for their Heart of New York launch,” says Andrew Douthwaite, CCO at Dubit.
“This initiative underscores the potential of virtual merchandise as a genuine and engaging way for brands to resonate with the digitally native audience."
Acrisure Arena
Acrisure Arena in Greater Palm Springs, USA has rolled out frictionless checkout stores powered by AiFi.
The Grab & Go Stands within the venue enable people to select food and drink items they’d like to purchase and walk out without waiting in line or scanning to pay so they can get back to their seats faster.
They are located near the fuzzbox premium cocktails bar and inside the South Main Entrance, and serve soft drinks, water, beers, and pizza.
Boxbar Tech
Boxbar Tech reports an activation at Premier League club West Ham United’s London Stadium.
The company worked with London Stadium and Delaware North to introduce a 3x self-serve Amstel unit for pre-game and half time pints.
In a LinkedIn post, it said: “We made our Premier League debut with West Ham United.”
“Terminal highlights: plug and play: setup in less than ten mins; contains all stock inside, perfect for tight spaces (think concourses and arena floor bars); suitable for outdoor and indoor events; can serve any drink type: beer, cider, spirit and mixer, cocktails; fully branded to leverage sponsorship; no expensive setup costs.”
This follows deployments for teams and stadiums in Premiership Rugby and the EFL Championship.
Gander and SPAR
Gander is laying claim to a major milestone in its journey towards reducing food waste and fostering sustainability within Australia's grocery retail industry.
Since making its debut in Australia in July 2023, the SaaS company has launched with independently owned SPAR Chevron in the Gold Coast.
Operated by Managing Director Nash Attwal, it is the first store within the SPAR Australia network to partner with Gander.
In 2021, SPAR International, the world’s largest food retail voluntary chain with over 13,900 stores in 48 countries, embarked on a global partnership with Gander to provide its worldwide network with the tools to tackle food waste head on.
After a tie up in Northern Ireland with the Henderson Group, Gander has continued to expand out into the wider UK market. The milestone in Australia sets the stage for wider implementation across all SPAR markets.
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