Gen AI, 3D, automation, and drones: running you through 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 Attensi, 3D Cloud, Polytag, Simbe, OSY Group, Fast Simon, HomeByMe, Amazon, A2Z Cust2Mate, TrusTrace, Xoriant and Carbon Trail.
Verity
Autonomous warehouse drones specialist, Verity, has surpassed 100 client sites worldwide.
The latest addition is a KeHE site in Portland, Oregon, USA, building multiple other locations already equipped in its food distribution network.
Amazon
Amazon has launched a new generative AI-based selling assistant codenamed Project Amelia.
Sellers can ask questions like, “How’s my business doing?” and Project Amelia will, according to a press release, “provide instant and secure access to sales and business metrics, compare trends, and provide guidance”.
A2Z Cust2Mate
A2Z Cust2Mate has signed a framework agreement with Level 10, a retail IT service provider, for in-field installation, deployment, in-store and laboratory support, maintenance, help desk services and warranty fulfilment related to the company’s Cust2Mate smart cart solutions to be rolled out in the United States.
Gadi Graus, CEO at A2Z Cust2Mate, says: “Given the advanced stage of discussions we are having with a number of large retailers, we are taking steps now to prepare for a substantial increase in the number of our smart carts that will be rolled out in the coming months.”
He adds: “We believe that teaming with Level 10 gives us the ability to deliver and service significant roll-outs of smart solutions in the US. Level 10 has more than 20 years of experience in procuring, deploying, supporting and maintaining IT equipment in the retail industry, making them an ideal partner to help us scale our business.”
“We are extremely encouraged by the momentum that is building in our business and are pleased to have Level 10’s talented IT professionals as part of our service team.”
Attensi
Attensi, a specialist in game-based simulation training, has unveiled Attensi RealTalk, pitched as the first roleplay training solution to incorporate Agentic AI1 and AI free-form dialogue with realistic, virtual humans.
It comes as new research (involving 2,139 people in the US and UK) shows that 75% of employees have experienced anxiety due to difficult workplace conversations and 72% would welcome training on how to handle difficult conversations in the workplace, rising to 87% for Gen Z.
And a majority would welcome this training from an AI virtual roleplay trainer, rather than their manager.
When asked if they would prefer roleplay training from their manager or an AI Virtual trainer, employees were evenly split at 38% each way. 24% expressed no preference between the AI trainer and the human manager.
75% reported that they have experienced anxiety in handling difficult workplace conversations, with 63% having felt this in the last two years and 33% as recently as the last six months.
This is even more stark for Gen Z and Millennials at 39% and 38% respectively.
The more they use AI, the more likely employees are to fear it taking some or all of their jobs, but they are also the most likely to welcome AI to help them train to be better at their jobs.
Attensi RealTalk enables employees to engage in realistic and challenging conversations in roleplay scenarios, interacting with AI powered virtual humans across a wide range of disciplines including: Sales roles; Customer service; Coaching.
Polytag
Polytag has been awarded over £100,000 from the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Centre of Excellence, funded by the Welsh government, to install four Polytag Plastic Detection Units across the country.
The Plastic Detection Units, which scan and collect data on individual products at barcode level as they enter the recycling stream, will be placed at key material recovery facilities (MRFs) in Conwy, Gwynedd, Pembrokeshire, and Anglesey.
The funding has been granted to Polytag as part of an upcoming circular economy innovation project to help the Welsh public sector achieve net zero by 2030.
Steve Madden
Fast Simon has announced a partnership with Steve Madden, bringing AI shopping optimisation to 25 online stores operating on five continents and in multiple languages, representing all its brands.
Steve Madden brands, including Steve Madden, Dolce Vita, and Betsey Johnson, will utilise Fast Simon’s AI technology for power search, discovery, and enhanced personalisation and merchandising on its global e-commerce sites.
Additionally, using the Smart Rendering solution, its brands will be able to improve the shopper experience with faster site search and page loads, as well as better SEO performance.
Co-op
Co-op is launching 24-hour delivery from stores in city centre locations, via its partners Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats.
New research from the UK convenience retailer shows that over 40% of quick commerce shoppers would use a 11pm to 5am delivery service if available.
This figure rises to around almost one in two consumers aged between 18-44, with the service most popular for Gen Z shoppers aged 18-24 (52.3%) who are most likely to use the offering.
Further research suggested that those in London were most likely to use it (55.2%) with the data showing that those in Wales were least likely (26.47%). An estimated six million UK adults believe the main reason for this was due to their work pattern or shift.
The 24 hour service is launching this month in Leeds, London and Manchester stores where there is strong online grocery demand at non-traditional times, with stores selected based on the local demographic, a concentration of delivery driver availability and where stores are already staffed around the clock for replenishment purposes.
In addition, Co-op has also extended its online availability in more than 1,600 stores within the store’s existing opening hours, helping more customers to shop later in the evening. This is part of its ambition to reach more than a one-third share of the quick commerce market.
Wakefern Food Corp.
Simbe reports an expansion of its partnership with Wakefern Food Corp., the largest retailer owned supermarket cooperative in the US.
This involves use of the former’s AI and automation solution, Tally.
In a LinkedIn post, Simbe said: “This is an important milestone on our journey to improve visibility across the retail ecosystem.”
“Nearly 70 new ShopRite stores across ShopRite and Inserra Supermarkets stores now leverage our store intelligence to delight shoppers and empower store teams while improving business performance.
TrusTrace, Xoriant and Carbon Trail
TrusTrace, which has developed a platform for product traceability and supply chain compliance in fashion and retail, has announced a collaboration with platform engineering firm Xoriant and environmental impact data firm Carbon Trail to deliver a solution supporting international brands that want to implement more product marketing accountability.
“In a rapidly evolving industry in which regulations are becoming more stringent and consumer expectations are higher than ever, this partnership is a pioneering initiative; we are addressing not only today’s challenges, but we’re paving the way for a more sustainable future,” says TrusTrace CEO and Co-Founder Shameek Ghosh.
“This collaboration unites TrusTrace’s deep expertise in supply chain traceability and transparency, Carbon Trail’s advanced environmental insights, and Xoriant’s robust implementation capabilities to offer an end-to-end solution that empowers fashion brands and retailers to overcome the challenges of regulatory compliance and improving impact.”
Charles & Keith
Charles & Keith, a Singaporean-based fashion house specialising in footwear, handbags and accessories, has partnered with DRESSX on the launch of a Summer’s Calling digital fashion collection on Roblox.
In a LinkedIn post, DRESSX said: “This partnership marks a significant expansion of our mission to transform fashion with technology, as users can now experience Charles & Keith’s "Summer's Calling" collection in an entirely new digital way.”
It added: “This collaboration brings Charles & Keith stylish summer collection to life, enabling Roblox users to elevate their avatars with five digital pairs of shoes and five versatile bags, all designed to embody the relaxed, breezy feel of the season.”
“These digital accessories and footwear are crafted to complement a variety of virtual outfits, offering users a distinctive way to showcase their personal style within Roblox’s vibrant, immersive environment.”
Flexsteel Industries
Flexsteel Industries, a manufacturer, importer, and marketer of residential upholstered and wooden furniture products in the United States, has announced a partnership with 3D Cloud.
The tie up aims to bring world class product visualisation assets to over 2,500 Flexsteel retailers.
"3D Cloud has a unique mix of leading technology, straightforward pricing, and a holistic solution that addresses the critical challenges in 3D product visualisation for furniture manufacturers,” says Mike McClaflin, CIO at Flexsteel.
OSY Group
The UK company has struck deals with 21 partners in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore and India for commercial testing projects in a variety of market segments.
The trials are being conducted by grocers, food producers, packaging companies and exporters, with a focus on fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, bread and fresh flowers.
OSY Group’s technology is an antimicrobial packaging coating called Xtend.
It enables a range of food items to stay fresh for longer by leaving microscopic pins on packaging surfaces which puncture and kill microbes, slowing the natural spoiling process that affects the produce within.
Brico Depôt Iberia
Brico Depôt Iberia (part of Kingfisher Group) has launched a HomeByMe powered 3D planning tool that lets users design kitchens and cabinets.
This solution, which has gone live on the brand’s website, creates customised projects tailored to users' needs. No downloads or licenses involved, and it’s available on any device. Real-time information on stocks and prices is also provided.
Daniel O’Meara, Northern Europe & ANZ Sales Manager 3DVIA Dassault Systemes (owner of HomeByMe), says: “Kingfisher Group continues to choose HomeByMe Enterprise as the preferred partner for 3D automated kitchen and storage design and planning solutions across Europe.”
“DIY retail and technology at its best! Congratulations to all the teams involved.”
GO Outdoors
GO Outdoors recently opened a new store in York, boasting 125,000 sq ft of space with over 380 brands covering walking, camping and caravanning, watersports, running, fishing, horse riding, climbing, and cycling.
The retailer has developed a KUDOS RUN initiative and integrated Volumental’s 3D foot scanning and dynamic gait analysis technology as the centrepiece of its GO Fit Station.
Shoppers are able to scan their feet, walk across the dynamic pressure plate, and get personalised recommendations on their ideal type, style, and size of running shoes.
In a LinkedIn post, Volumental said: “Kudos to the entire GO Outdoors team for creating an exceptional retail experience that puts the customer first. Their commitment to innovation and delivering the right fit is a shining example of how forward-thinking retailers are elevating the in-store journey.”
Northeast Grocery
Northeast Grocery has launched Simbe’s Tally robot in select Price Chopper, Market 32 and Tops Friendly Markets locations.
It has introduced the AI and automation solution across many of its markets in New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Vermont, and New Hampshire.
Scott Kessler, EVP, CIO at Northeast Grocery, says: “Tally’s autonomous, AI powered technology will navigate store aisles, scanning shelves to identify out-of-stock items and pricing discrepancies. This means more accurate pricing at checkout and better product availability for customers.”
Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University is set to open Shoppe at Wright, a checkout-free campus store for students, faculty and staff.
The smart bodega style concept utilises Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology, which allows shoppers to enter a store, grab what they want, and return to their day without waiting for a cashier or going through a self-checkout line.
Customers enter or exit the store displaying a payment method, and the store’s camera vision and sensors detect what items shoppers choose, explains Miles Oller, Director of Student Affairs Facilities.
Payment methods include a tap to pay credit card or Campus Cash from the campus meal plan (through the GET app).
Since the payment method is logged upon entry, customers can leave the market at any time without the traditional check-out experience.
The Shoppe at Wright, which opens in early October, will include self-serve coffee options, shakes and smoothies, quick meals, drinks, snacks, produce and basics like ibuprofen, toothpaste and other sundries.
Sephora
The first ever Sephora Kiosk has opened at the University of Toronto Bookstore, featuring a curated selection of viral, best selling products as well as in the moment solutions.
It’s all about exploration, discovery, and meeting those beauty needs when they occur, the brand says.
Thomas Haupt, EVP, Country General Manager at Sephora Canada, says: “We are thrilled to share a little Sephora magic with our University of Toronto students and make beauty more accessible, meaningful, and inclusive.”
“A big thank you to Jane Nugent (Senior Vice President Merchandising at Sephora), Nikki Maruzzo (Director, Corporate Strategy and Strategic Projects), Johnna Marcus (Vice President, Growth Initiatives), Jane Hsu Wong (Senior Manager, Growth Initiatives), and our partners at Signifi Solutions for bringing this innovative retail experience to Sephora Canada.”
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