Auf Wiedersehen Aldi Nord and welcome Walmart: RTIH’s most read retail technology articles from last week
Check out the articles on this here website that caught your fancy last week, including Walmart, e.l.f. beauty, Roblox, Co-op, Walmart Commerce Technologies, REWE Group, Trigo, Starbucks, Amazon, Magnet, and Meet and Potato.
Walmart, e.l.f. beauty and Roblox team up to build the future of shopping, making it immersive, 3D and social
Walmart is helping to expand real-world commerce on Roblox through a partnership with e.l.f. beauty’s e.l.f. UP! experience on the platform.
Users (13+ in the US) can now visit e.l.f. UP! and purchase three cruelty free products from Walmart.com directly on Roblox.
And similar to real-world commerce in Walmart Discovered, the purchase of a real-world item in e.l.f. UP! includes a virtual twin created by a Roblox creator, with the aim of making the experience more native to the platform.
“e.l.f. UP! has been lightning in a bottle since day one and continues to surpass all expectations, especially among our Gen Z community,” says Kory Marchisotto, Chief Marketing Officer, e.l.f. Beauty.
“Testing commerce on Roblox is the next evolution in our journey of merging beauty with immersive platforms. We are teaching the Roblox community - and communities in digital spaces everywhere - about social commerce with purpose. Our community deeply values our superpower of cruelty free products.”
“Through the e.l.f. UP! Pet Adoption Center, we’ve learned how essential this superpower is, shaping our approach in this space.”
Co-op hooks up with Walmart Commerce Technologies to support retailer's online grocery push
Co-op is gearing up to work with Walmart Commerce Technologies, implementing its online fulfilment technology, Store Assist, to enhance the convenience retailer’s colleague and customer experience and support quick commerce growth ambitions.
The Store Assist app allows retailers to manage pickup, third-party marketplace, ship-from-store, and last mile delivery orders all in one place.
According to those involved, a streamlined omnichannel fulfilment workflow will enhance in-store processes and operations, remove the need for colleagues to switch between quick commerce apps or different devices, and allows for faster delivery times.
Store Assist technology will have a focus on: ease of use; scalability; specialised and tailored use to meet the diverse demands of grocery fulfilment and, a unified platform to simplify systems as online orders are picked fresh in the local Co-op store, and delivered quickly and conveniently in the community.
Tesco taps new dunnhumby AI powered Assortment solution for localised ranging in retailer's stores
dunnhumby is introducing new AI powered assortment technology. This is being used by Tesco to improve customer shopping experiences through smarter product selection.
It enables retailers to:
Create localised ranges, down to store specific level
Develop space aware ranges and planograms
Implement a more efficient, end-to-end process
“In today’s dynamic retail landscape, keeping up with customer expectations while outpacing local competition is crucial,” says Jenn Dabbelt, Global Head of Product, dunnhumby.
“Our new Assortment tool, powered by advanced AI, allows retailers to build store-specific ranges centred on what the customer wants.”
“This supercharges retailers’ ability to deliver by streamlining the entire process from end to end, helping them bring to life exceptional experiences for customers.”
It’s Auf Wiedersehen Aldi Nord as store computer vision specialist Christian Bock departs for new challenge
Dr. Christian Bock is departing Aldi Nord where he held the position of Team Lead Store Computer Vision.
Bock has also worked at companies including REWE Digital and Telefónica Germany.
Trigo powered REWE Pick&Go store in Hamburg pitched as Europe’s largest computer vision-based supermarket
REWE Group reports that a location in Hamburg launched Pick&Go for customers this week.
Powered by Trigo technology, the store, which clocks in at 1.200 square metres in floor space and features 20.000 items, is pitched as Europe’s largest computer vision-based supermarket.
It is also the first REWE Pick&Go store in northern Germany, and offers four ways to pay for purchases: cashless via Pick&Go via app; scanning and paying at the self-checkout terminal; shopping via computer vision support without scanning at the self-checkout terminal; standard payment process at the cash register.
A highlight is that the Pick&Go system now also covers the service counter for the first time.
Customers have the opportunity to purchase fresh meat, cheese and sausage products without having to wait at the checkout afterwards.
Kitchen retailer Magnet sits down with Meet and Potato to discuss the commercial benefit of video communication
Here’s how using video communications resulted in Magnet’s biggest winter yet.
It’s no secret: running a retail business in today’s market can be tumultuous.
With ever increasing competition, the constant evolution of customer behaviour, and an endless cost-of-living crisis impacting footfall, making sure teams stay engaged and motivated is a huge challenge.
To keep your teams focussed through the good times and bad, a strong internal communications plan is crucial. And whilst text-based messaging certainly has its place, if you want to really connect with your people and keep them engaged, you should look at incorporating video into your strategy.
After its biggest winter to date, Paul Strong, Store Operations Director at Magnet, discusses with Jon Kelly, CEO at creative content and events agency, Meet and Potato, why he believes the addition of video communication has played a key role in the brand’s success.
Starbucks upgrades Amazon Just Walk Out technology powered NYC stores for improved smartphone experience
Starbucks reports that two of its large New York cafes with Amazon's Just Walk Out technology have been upgraded to a more intuitive system, making it easier for its Green Apron partners to offer exclusive merchandise and food, and for customers to enjoy a seamless smartphone experience.
Customers can now tap into the lounge area, order with the Starbucks app, and walk out with their snacks and coffee without waiting in line.
In a LinkedIn post, Jessica Mills, Senior Director, Global Growth and Development at Starbucks, said: “For me, this journey began five years ago. On my first day back from maternity leave on 2nd July 2019, I was asked how we could partner with Amazon Go products and Just Walk Out technology.”
“This led to a deeper study on creating effortless experiences, culminating in the opening of two unique stores in New York City in November 2021 and July 2022. These stores serve as incubators and learning centres, with several programmes and insights being scaled across Starbucks.”
She added: “It has been an epic experience, and I am confident that the learnings will continue in this next chapter.”
Tesco veteran Nick Lansley looks back on retail journey as he announces major milestone in his career
Nick Lansley has announced a significant milestone in his career.
Lansley’s CV includes almost 16 years at Tesco.com and just under 13 years at Tesco, where he held such roles as Head of Open Innovation at Tesco Labs.
Since leaving the UK grocery giant in 2015, he has worked as an innovation consultant, writer, entrepreneur, coding tutor, startup mentor and investor, and also been an IT consultant at GS1.
In a LinkedIn post, he said: “After 37 incredible years, I'm transitioning into project-based work, allowing me to focus on specific objectives, deliverables, and most importantly, a better work-life balance.”
“As I look back on my journey, I'm filled with gratitude for the countless opportunities I've had to grow, learn, and innovate alongside talented individuals who have become lifelong friends.”
“From the early days of coding (and we’re talking about coding COBOL on mainframe computers!) to the latest advancements in technology such as AI, it's been an exhilarating ride.”
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