Walmart digitises its supply chain: check out last week’s biggest retail technology plays at a glance
RTIH rounds up the stand out retail systems deals, launches, deployments and pilots from the past seven days. Including Asda, VusionGroup, Asos, Home Bargains, M&S, Iceland, Bondi Sands, Currys, Papa Johns UK, DoorDash, Kroger, Stuart, Carrefour, and Uber Eats.
Asda
Asda is rolling out electronic shelf edge labels (ESLs) across its Express convenience stores. This will see 250 locations tapping the technology.
Working with VusionGroup and its partners, Renovotec and HL Display, the deployment follows a three-month trial at Asda’s Oxford Road Store in Manchester. This saw colleagues freed up to spend more of their time helping customers, managing deliveries and replenishing shelves.
Approximately 2,800 separate electronic shelf edge labels (over 700,000 across the entire roll-out) will be added to stores, meaning colleagues will no longer need to manually replace pricing in-store.
The technology also helps to display allergen information at shelf edge through QR codes, in addition to displaying the cost, weight and unit price of products.
Karl Fazer
Finnish chocolate brand Karl Fazer has launched a Desire-a-Bar machine that taps AI technology.
Located in Helsinki, Kamppi Shopping Centre, this is a three-metre chocolate bar that detects and rewards those who embrace their desires. The rules are as follows: stand in front of it and let your desire shine through your gaze for a couple of minutes.
Those who hold their stare are rewarded with a real chocolate bar. A few participants will also win a year’s supply of chocolate.
Samuel Räikkönen, Creative Director at SEK, says: "The Desire-a-Bar machine has been trained on open source models to interpret a wide range of facial expressions, from the subtlest micro-gestures to unmistakable signs of desire.”
“It tracks your gaze, reads the movements of your mouth and tongue, and can even detect a telling lip bite. To fine-tune its accuracy, we fed the system with curated examples and reinforced it through hundreds of expressions”
Lego
Lego launched an Insiders loyalty app in the UK last week.
Lego Insiders is a members only platform that gives access to the likes of rewards, discounts, and communities.
It connects various Lego experiences in one place, rewarding purchases and engagement, meaning that the more members participate, the more they will be rewarded with points they can redeem for discounts and experiences.
In a LinkedIn post, Angela Maurer, Head of Product Management at Lego Group, said: “Lego Insiders is our super cool membership programme, and the app provides you access to all this in your pocket.”
“You can shop, earn loyalty points, track your balance, redeem rewards and make exclusive savings - all in one handy app. Such fantastic efforts from a truly cross functional team to bring this new way of meeting our members to life.”
Walmart
Wiliot reports a collaboration with Walmart involving the US retail giant’s supply chain operations.
The pair are laying claim to the first large scale deployment of ambient IoT technology in the retail sector, with millions of Wiliot IoT Pixels being integrated throughout Walmart’s supply chain.
The aim is to dramatically enhance supply chain efficiency, inventory accuracy, and cold chain compliance.
“With Walmart, we are advancing supply chain performance at an unprecedented scale,” says Tal Tamir, CEO at Wiliot. “This nationwide deployment adds a new layer of digitisation to Walmart’s supply chain, empowering associates with real-time insights and automation that drive greater efficiency, accuracy, and responsiveness.”
“It’s a testament to the power of ambient IoT and artificial intelligence to help retailers operate smarter, move faster, and deliver stronger outcomes for their business, their associates, and their customers.”
Asos
Asos has introduced Asos Live, an immersive video shopping experience, following a trial.
This blends creator led content with real-time shopping, allowing customers to watch live or on demand, shop instantly and engage with content, within the retailer’s app.
Whether tuning in live or catching up later, customers can explore styling tips, beauty tutorials, and trend led edits from creators.
“Today’s fashion lovers are discovering style through video and creator-led content,” says Anthony Ben Sadoun, EVP of Digital Product at Asos. “Asos Live brings that inspiration directly into the shopping journey, helping customers feel confident, inspired, and less overwhelmed by choice.”
Currys
Currys is joining the likes of Dunelm, Argos, Iceland Foods, Tapi Carpets & Floors and Euronics in accepting payment online or in-store with the new Fair for You Shopping Card loan.
This provides up to £350 loaded onto a prepaid Mastercard that can be used online or in-store at partner retailers, and users can apply to top up once their balance is nearly paid off.
Fair for You claims that, thanks to having no profit motive, it is able to help millions of people who get turned down by banks and buy now pay later firms and who may not meet the requirements for in-store credit options. It says it will only lend to people who can afford to repay when given flexibility and control over repayments.
BOSS
EPAM Systems has teamed with BOSS on an immersive spatial experience, powered by Apple Vision Pro and pitched at motorsport fans.
"We're pleased to strengthen our strategic partnership with BOSS and bring an innovative spatial racing experience to life through Apple Vision Pro," says Balazs Fejes, CEO & President, EPAM.
"This initiative transcends traditional engagement by harnessing the power of immersive storytelling, making the exclusive world of motorsports accessible to a global audience of fans and consumers. It's more than just viewing - it's about creating truly unforgettable moments that redefine the intersection of premium fashion, luxury retail, sport and technology."
Launching ahead of the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2025, the in-store activation debuted yesterday in specially designed installations at select BOSS locations across seven cities: London, Paris, Düsseldorf, Barcelona, Las Vegas, Dubai and Singapore.
Ikea
.Ikea reports the launch of its sixth Collect parcel locker location at Tesco in the UK.
The service enables customers to order online and pick up from Tesco car parks.
In a LInkedIn post, Ikea’s Marlein Wiertsema said: “Thanks David Mansfield (Fulfilment Development and Multichannel Network Project Implementation Manager at Ikea) for driving and maturing this service across the UK and supporting all our local and global colleagues, and of course Youssef Zouhair (Country Customer Fulfilment Manager) for being such a great sponsor.”
She added: “But we’re not stopping there, next to this service already being available in Belgium and the Netherlands, we have exciting plans to expand further across Europe and Asia. While our UK collaboration is thriving, we’re still on the hunt for the perfect locker spots in other markets.”
“It’s a challenge, but one worth tackling - because offering affordable, flexible delivery options closer to where people live (without needing to be at the doorstep) is key to making everyday life easier both for the customer and for us retailers.”
Bondi Sands
Napster (formerly Infinite Reality) has partnered with Australian brand, Bondi Sands, to launch a virtual experience designed to drive greater brand engagement with Gen Z consumers while educating them on the importance of sun safety.
The experience, available on web and Apple Vision Pro devices, takes users to a replica of Bondi Beach, where they can interact with a virtual beach environment, earn loyalty rewards, and play a surfing game that reflects the playful energy of the Bondi Beach inspired brand.
Users select a digital surfboard and ride the waves, while collecting virtual sunscreen, and avoiding sharks whilst keeping track of the changing UV index. Web users control their surfboard using intuitive arrow keys, while Apple Vision Pro users use hand gesture controls.
In addition to the game, visitors can explore the Beachfront where they will find a Bondi Sands beach pop up, sprinkled with icons that, when clicked, reveal facts about the Aussie beach lifestyle and important sun safety tips. On the web, the experience integrates with the Bondi Sands loyalty programme, Club Bondi, allowing customers to earn points, unlock rewards, and climb the leaderboard.
Iceland
Iceland Foods says that it is enhancing its retail media capabilities through a new partnership with Epsilon.
The move will introduce offsite media, onsite video formats and a new auction-based buying model, with the aim of making it easier for more brands to engage with Iceland’s nine million annual shoppers in smarter, more relevant ways.
Adam Smith, Head of Retail Media, Iceland Foods, comments: “Our partnership with Epsilon is a big moment for us. It ultimately gives our brand partners more choice, more channels, and the ability to reach our customers in a smarter, more dynamic way.”
“It also means we can now open up our media to more types and sizes of brand advertisers. Today’s announcement is our latest commitment to providing a retail media platform that works for all brands and delivers value back to our shoppers.”
Home Bargains
Home Bargains has partnered with Retail Insight as it looks to modernise its markdown process. Following a 20 store pilot beginning in February, the solution was rolled out in June in over 600 stores.
Previously, it relied on a manual markdown process with handwritten price labels and limited data to guide pricing decisions. This approach was both labour intensive for colleagues and ineffective in maximising value recovery from marked down products.
By collaborating with Retail Insight, using its waste management solution, WasteInsight, Home Bargains has implemented an offering that automates pricing decisions, streamlines store processes, and helps with consistency across departments. Alongside this, the retailer now benefits from a new suite of store and head office management information tools.
Iceland and Stuart
Last mile solutions specialist Stuart has announced a new partnership with UK supermarket chain Iceland.
The pair are laying claim to a first of its kind same-day scheduled delivery offering in the UK grocery market.
Customers can visit Iceland stores, shop for their chosen products from the full range available in-store, and then schedule delivery within a two-hour time slot on the same day. Deliveries will utilise Stuart’s large transport type fleet to handle even the biggest grocery shops, ensuring that frozen and fresh items are delivered quickly and in good condition.
Following a trial in nine stores, Iceland will launch the service across an additional 120 sites UK wide.
M&S
TMX Transform has partnered with Marks & Spencer on the development of one of the UK's largest automated national distribution centre’s (NDC), a 1.3 million sq ft facility at Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT).
With an investment of £340 million, the facility will serve as M&S's primary food distribution hub, directly supplying over 200 stores and two additional regional distribution centres. The tri-temperature facility will handle thousands of live SKUs and products, managing frozen, ambient and chilled food products through fully automated case and tray picking solutions.
"We're proud to have supported M&S throughout this transformational journey," says Alvin Fernandes, Global Director, Programme & Transformation Management at TMX Transform.
"We've partnered with M&S from the initial network strategy development to detailed design assurance and contract execution. When you're making investments of this magnitude, our role is to provide the confidence and risk mitigation that comes from extensive global experience across complex supply chain transformations.”
“This facility will enable M&S to enhance safety for their workforce, improve efficiency across their distribution network, and deliver better service to their stores and customers."
DoorDash
DoorDash is laying claim to the first commercial autonomous delivery robot that navigates bike lanes, roads, and sidewalks, and is purpose built for local commerce.
Developed in-house by DoorDash Labs, Dot integrates with its existing marketplace infrastructure and new autonomous delivery platform.
At one-tenth the size of a car, Dot can reach speeds of up to 20 mph. It is built for neighbourhood trips and its all electric design helps reduce congestion and emissions.
This is beginning with an early access programme in Tempe and Mesa, Arizona. DoorDash is launching it in the greater Phoenix metro area, marking the beginning of its commercial deployment and paving the way for future expansion into multiple new markets.
Papa Johns UK
Papa Johns UK has extended a partnership with Uber Direct, Uber’s white label delivery service.
Since first partnering in April 2024, Papa Johns reports improvements in service times, greater delivery reliability and an uplift in customer satisfaction across its 450 restaurants nationwide.
Under the new agreement, Uber Direct will exclusively power the delivery of orders placed through its website or app, using the same courier network and technology that supports Uber Eats.
Lee Leadbeatter, Director, International Operations Excellence at Papa Johns UK, says: “Since partnering with Uber Direct and launching our Delivery-as-a-Service model, we have seen a noticeable uplift in operational efficiency, customer satisfaction and service. The integration has enabled us to expand our delivery reach, improve our service times, and maintain our high standards of quality, whilst delivering our pizzas hot and fresh.”
Home Bargains (again)
Home Bargains reports that it has wrapped a payroll transformation project. The project was completed in partnership with Zellis without disruption to pay following the sudden withdrawal, due to unforeseen circumstances, of support from Home Bargains’ previous provider.
“This was a project with no margin for error,” says Tom Morris, Senior Technology Innovation Manager at Home Bargains. “What made the difference was trust, adaptability, and a shared mindset. Payroll is critical for us and with Zellis, it wasn’t just about the technology. It was about the people. That alignment created an exceptional partnership we’re proud to build on.”
“This payroll transformation was prioritised above other major company projects. It shows just how critical payroll is to our business and how much we value getting it right for our employees,” Morris adds.
Seven-Eleven Japan
Telexistence and Seven-Eleven Japan (SEJ) have entered into a partnership to jointly develop and introduce humanoid robots powered by generative AI. ‘Astra’ will be equipped with a Vision-Language-Action (VLA) foundation model, with deployment in Seven-Eleven stores targeted for 2029.
The aim here is to provide solutions to rising labour costs and workforce shortages. Robots will take on routine in-store operations, allowing employees to focus on services that only humans can deliver.
The initiative is in collaboration with the AI Robot Association (AIRoA) - whose leadership includes Professor Tetsuya Ogata (Waseda University), Professor Yutaka Matsuo (University of Tokyo), Toyota Motor Corporation, and TX.
TX operates a large scale data collection platform through its beverage restocking robot, Ghost. The tie up will see the integration of TX’s data collection platform with SEJ’s network of more than 20,000 stores.
DoorDash and Kroger
DoorDash and Kroger have expanded their Stateside relationship to cover almost 2,700 of the latter’s stores. Beginning 1st October, customers will be able to shop Kroger’s full grocery assortment across banners like Mariano’s, Fred Meyer, Ralphs, and Harris Teeter, on DoorDash.
Along with fast delivery, they will get Kroger deals and loyalty programme discounts integrated into the DoorDash app.
“Customers are looking for more convenient ways to shop at their local Kroger store, and delivery is an increasingly important way they engage with us. We want to provide customers what they want, how they want it, without asking them to compromise on value,” says Yael Cosset, Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer at Kroger.
“Today marks another step in our journey to simplify customers’ lives. We are bringing our high quality, fresh, full grocery assortment to new customers. We are making it easier to shop in the way that best fits their day. And we are offering lower prices and more relevant offers to drive more traffic, which increases the data we use to power our retail media business.”
Uber Eats
Uber Eats has announced new US partnerships with regional grocers Citarella, Rouses Markets, Town and Country, Wild Fork and Rosauers Supermarkets.
"Our goal is to make grocery shopping as convenient as possible, whether customers are stocking up for the week or picking up specialty items for dinner," says Hashim Amin, Head of Grocery & Retail for North America at Uber.
"Since we know shoppers' allegiance to their beloved local stores is unparalleled, we continue to prioritise our regional partnership to deliver the freshest products from retailers people trust."
Simbe
Simbe, a specialist in retail shelf digitisation, has announced Simbe for Merchants, a new suite of capabilities designed for merchandising teams.
Among its solutions are realograms - auto-generated, to scale diagrams of what’s actually on shelf - along with real-time planogram dashboards and chain wide visibility into product placement and availability. The aim here is to help retailers improve vendor collaboration, spot issues before they impact sales, and strengthen performance where it matters most.
“Retailers win or lose at the shelf, yet actual shelf visibility has always been limited to spot checks and occasional store visits,” says Tom Gehani, VP of Product at Simbe. “With Simbe for Merchants, merchandising teams have access to the daily insights they need to ensure the right products are where they belong, displays are set right, and vendors are aligned on execution unlocking measurable sales and margin gains.”
Brain Corp and Driveline Retail
Brain Corp and Driveline Retail have announced the launch of ShelfOptix, a fully managed service that promises robot powered shelf intelligence at scale without the cost or complexity of technology ownership.
“With robot powered shelf intelligence delivered through the simplicity of a fully managed service, ShelfOptix is making accurate shelf insights more accessible at scale,” says David Pinn, CEO at Brain Corp.
“This gives retailers and brands the visibility they need to close the reality gap between what systems show and what’s truly on the shelf, without having to operate or maintain a single robot. It’s a unique service that’s precise, packed with insights, and effortless to scale.”
ShelfOptix is currently in pilot programmes with several retailers, including Southeastern Grocers, parent company of Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket. In the initial phase, the pilots are focused on helping retailers gain a better understanding of their on-shelf availability (OSA), direct store distribution (DSD) execution, and compliance performance.
Southampton FC
As part of a push to shorten wait times and deliver a world class food and drink offering, Boxbar Tech was selected to collaborate on improvements at The St. Mary’s Stadium.
In a LInkedIn post, Boxbar Tech said: “Alongside our partners at OVG, we are over the moon to now be live with two brand new fixed bar wall installations at the stadium: two fully branded fixed bar wall installations; ten points of sale; 20 high speed automated, self-serve taps; Integrated with Global Payments PoS and payment processing.”
It added: “Ensuring thousands of Saints fans spend less time queuing and more time backing their team. Exactly how it should be. We’ve loved seeing the reaction since the start of the season and would like to extend a big shout out to OVG for bringing us into the project. Here’s to keeping the Saints On Tap all season long.”
La Lorraine Bakery Group
RNV.ai reports a new partnership with La Lorraine Bakery Group.
In a LInkedIn post, it said: “From breads to pastries and desserts, La Lorraine brings high quality bakery products to millions of consumers across the globe.”
“Our AI powered inventory management solutions will support this journey by: Increasing operational efficiency; Minimising waste; Enabling smarter, data driven decisions. Together with La Lorraine Bakery Group, we look forward to building a smarter, scalable, and sustainable future in bakery.”
Carrefour
European co-delivery service, Shopopop, is expanding its Carrefour collaboration to include 1,000+ stores.
In a LinkedIn post, Antonie Truong, Head of Expansion at Shopopop, said: "When we say innovation drives our clients’ businesses, we mean it: we will soon have +1,000 Carrefour stores completing last mile deliveries with us throughout Europe."
"In 2020, we first partnered with Carrefour to test the concept of crowdshipping fleet in France. Based on our learnings, we can clearly see how this model can boost delivery flexibility and geographical coverage for their consumers."
He added: "So we’re expanding our partnership… in a big way! This year, we’re adding +15 stores every month, and this might be doubled in 2026. Our community of drivers complete deliveries from their stores in rural and suburban areas. Importantly, this sets us up for scaled expansion moving forward."
"In my opinion, our last mile supply chain model with Shopopop is one of the most efficient and innovative and this collaboration is just one more proof point. All credit goes to our community and stores with their highly picking qualified team."
ROW 94
Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is playing host to a life sized hologram of country music star Dierks Bentley that greets passengers.
PriceWeber, an advertising and marketing agency, has created an activation for ROW 94, Bentley’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Now through to the end of October, people passing through the airport will see the hologram that shares the story of ROW 94 and directs them to signed bottles and limited offerings available at the airport’s spirits retailers.
“ROW 94 was born from Dierks’ dream to create a bourbon that amplifies the country within every American - this goes even deeper than country music,” says Robert Trinkle, Senior Vice President, PriceWeber.
“But the brand also faced a unique marketing challenge: how can Dierks connect with bourbon drinkers outside the concert experience or meet and greets? By using hologram technology, we were able to deliver a more personal and memorable interaction than traditional PoS ever could. And when bourbon fanatics land in Louisville, it’s Dierks and ROW 94 that welcome them to Bourbon Country, making an invaluable first impression for the brand."
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