Lidl lays claim to a TikTok Shop first: check out 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 Lekkerland SE, Bariano, Tesco, Piko24, Shake Shack, Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza, Epson, Amazon, M&S, and Dolce&Gabbana.

Marks and Spencer

M&S is working with Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy and Prostate Cancer UK to encourage men to check their risk of prostate cancer.

As part of the initiative, the retailer is rolling out QR codes in its stores, fitting rooms, and online product listings for its Autograph men’s underwear. These link to Prostate Cancer UK’s online Risk Checker, a tool designed to help men assess their risk and take necessary action.

Sir Chris Hoy, diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer in September 2023 with no prior symptoms, is using his platform to highlight the importance of early detection. Following his public disclosure of the diagnosis, 286,000 people used the Risk Checker within two months, including 38,000 individuals with a family history of the disease.

Lekkerland SE

Lekkerland SE’s 20th entry in its smart store concept push, the Rewe To Go Smart Box, is now live at Germany’s Frankfurt Airport Terminal 1 Gate B.

In a LinkedIn post, Mehmet Tözge, Vice President Smart Stores at Lekkerland SE, said: “Customer preferences have changed. End consumers want to shop 24/7, quickly and with as few contacts as possible. We’re developing smart stores to meet the evolving expectations of end consumers.”

The Rewe To Go Smart Box is equipped with computer vision technology from AiFi Iand smart vending solutions from Stüwer. The check-in application was developed by Futuremind.

The shopper scans a cashless means of payment at the check in terminal. After that, they can enter the store. Computer vision cameras record which products have been removed. The amount due is automatically debited from the previously scanned means of payment.

In addition, it is possible to select products at Stüwer’s smart vending solution with touch display and then receive them via the output compartment. This is used in particular for tobacco and alcoholic products. Age verification by scanning an identity card or driver's licence ensures compliance with youth protection regulations.

Bariano

Bariano has gone live with Try with Mirra, a Shopify app offering an at home try-on experience that replicates the fitting room of a physical store.

In a LinkedIn post, Peter Ceredig-Evans, CEO and Co-founder at Try with Mirra, said: "Within moments of launching and updating their homepage, they started converting first time customers. Using our secure 'Try Before You Buy' checkout solution, customers are able to try items on, in the comfort of their home, before committing to a purchase."

He added: "If you're an e-commerce leader and you've spent time in retail, then you'll know the power of the in-store 'fitting room' and how crucial it is for a customer to touch, try and be confident that the items fit and look good. You can now deliver this experience online and benefit from the outcomes it creates (for customers and your business)."

Tesco

Tesco reports that applications for its latest Accelerator Programme are now open.

Launching in October, this is designed to support innovative startups and challenger brands. Application deadline is Sunday, 2nd March, and you can apply via RangeMe's platform here.

If your brand can help Tesco's customers make healthier, sustainable choices, is from an under-represented background or is actively giving back to the community, the grocery giant would like to hear from you.

Programme benefits:

🌟 12-month development programme

🌟 Calendar of dedicated learning events

🌟 Build a network within Tesco and with cohort peers

🌟 Access to and support from a dedicated Innovation category team

🌟 Access to Tesco Insight & Media

🌟 Structured commercial plan and review

Piko24

Piko24 is working on a network of 24/7 autonomous stores in Poland which allow for instant entry, product selection and automatic payment, powered by artificial intelligence (natch!).

The first locations are set to open in the near future.

In a LinkedIn post, Piko24's Krzysztof Gawalek, said: "I have been an active entrepreneur for over 20 years. Today, together with Piotr Beaupré, we are entering the market with an innovative model of autonomous stores that respond to the key challenges of modern retail - growing customer expectations regarding convenience, speed and availability of shopping."

He added: "Globally, we are observing the dynamic development of retail technologies, where automation, AI and vision systems are changing the way we shop. Poland is not lagging behind - consumers are increasingly choosing maintenance free solutions, and the market is ready for a new quality of shopping experience."

"Our network of unique autonomous stores is the answer to these changes. We create places where customers can make a purchase without queues, without checkouts, 24/7, using the latest and attention - Polish technologies. This is an important step in the development of retail in Poland. I am glad that we can be part of it!"

Shake Shack and Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza

Autonomous sidewalk delivery company, Serve Robotics, has announced the launch of its service in the Miami metro area, alongside the expansion of its existing partnership with Shake Shack and new tie up with Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza.

Customers who order from select Shake Shack and Mister O1 locations in the Brickell and Miami Beach neighbourhoods with Uber Eats can receive their next order via Serve’s autonomous robots.

This expansion builds on Serve’s growth in Los Angeles and its planned entry into the Dallas-Fort Worth market. With approximately 120,000 residents and bustling commercial districts, the company says that Miami Beach and Brickell provide an ideal setting for sustainable robotic delivery.

“Expanding to the Miami Metro is a major step in our mission to make sustainable, autonomous delivery a reality across the US,” says Ali Kashani, CEO and Co-founder at Serve Robotics. “By bringing robotic delivery to forward-thinking communities that embrace innovation, we’re helping reduce emissions and traffic congestion while supporting local restaurants and enhancing the customer experience.”

Banuba and Nuvemshop

Banuba reports deployment of its virtual makeup try-on plugin for Nuvemshop, an e-commerce platform in Latin America.

The solution is being utilised in the Brazilian market. Notably, Oceane reports a 1,000% increase in its add to cart rate after integrating the plugin. Additionally, Boca Rosa leveraged the technology during a pre-launch event, generating $900,000 in sales within just four hours.

Banuba says that the plugin supports a wide range of cosmetic categories, lets store owners easily manage products, and provides actionable analytics.

Deloitte and Currys

Currys is supporting Deloitte’s new Recycle for Good launch, enabling the latter’s 25,000 UK people to recycle their old tech and electricals at the former’s stores. 

Deloitte is  encouraging its people to do so for free through Currys Cash for Trash and trade-in initiatives. By doing so, they will also receive at least a £5 Currys voucher, regardless of where and when the tech was originally purchased.

The UK retailer plans to then return some of the collected tech that might be reusable back to Deloitte, so the firm can donate it through its device donation scheme as part of its commitment to digital inclusion.

The collaboration builds upon Deloitte’s existing programme, which sees all its retired laptops recycled and donated to charities and schools. Deloitte says that it has thus far provided over 17,500 refurbished laptops to those who need them the most.

Dolce&Gabbana

M-Cube has designed the digital customer experience for the Dolce&Gabbana flagship store in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.

This plays a key role in Bujairi Terrace, a high end shopping destination developed under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 programme. It is the largest Dolce&Gabbana boutique in the Gulf region.

The store delivers an immersive experience, featuring exclusive fashion collections, jewellery, fragrances, and a dedicated Dolce&Gabbana Café, the first of its kind in the area. M-Cube designed, engineered, and installed custom LED solutions.

The circular design presented a unique challenge, requiring custom engineered digital solutions that complemented its curved architecture while maintaining the refined aesthetic. Every element is connected to a real-time content management system, enabling Dolce&Gabbana to adapt its digital messaging dynamically. 

Luca Violato, Stores & Properties at Dolce&Gabbana, comments: "M-Cube engineered, supplied, and installed all LED walls in our Diriyah boutique. Their team also managed the complex logistics of Saudi Arabia with great efficiency. They were highly proactive, ensuring smooth execution despite the challenges of last-minute modifications."

Nexus Rental

Nexus Rental, a provider of vehicle rental services, has partnered with Peak, an AI platform for business decision intelligence.

Managing a fleet of 22,000 vehicles, Nexus Rental was undergoing a significant tech transformation to embrace new ways of working that are 'Powered by Tech, Delivered by People'. The organisation, whose ambitions include global expansion and entering new markets, needed to overhaul its legacy technology to enable these plans to happen.

To address these challenges, it selected Peak’s AI powered pricing and quote automation solution. Peter Ennis, CTO at Nexus Rental, comments: “I was very confident from the first time I met the team at Peak. The speed at which its solution delivers value far outpaces building an in-house team. In addition, its willingness to customise solutions, as well as its technical expertise, are unmatched.”

Lidl

Lidl is claiming to be the first supermarket to sell through TikTok Shop. From 9am on Thursday, 20th February, 3,000 product bundles, said to be worth £30 each, will go on sale at the reduced price of £5 while stocks last, with all proceeds going to the NSPCC.

“Our high protein range is a firm fan favourite, with more than 150 high protein products sold in our stores every minute, and our customers across the country taking to social media to share their hauls each week,” says Lidl GB Marketing Director Joanna Gomer.

“With the number of TikTok shoppers growing rapidly, we’re proud to be the first supermarket meeting our customers directly on the platform with our unique offering, creating these exclusive bundles to showcase our new exciting products.”

Landsec and Ocean Outdoor

Landsec has extended its partnership with Ocean Outdoor which manages the digital out of home (DOOH) contract for Piccadilly Lights in London.

Under the terms of the agreement, Ocean will continue to manage content for the advertising DOOH screen well into the next decade, and work with Landsec on The Venue which sits beneath the Piccadilly Lights screen.

Piccadilly Lights is home to long-term partners Coca-Cola and Samsung, the patchwork accommodating hundreds of other campaigns from global brands since the site relaunched as a single 783.5m² screen in October 2017.  

Landsec Head of Commercialisation Derek Manns, says: “Over the past nine years we have not only reaffirmed Piccadilly Lights as the No 1 destination for global brands, global citizens and Londoners, but established the landmark as the nation’s noticeboard and a cultural reference point."

“Going forward, the chance to occupy one of London’s most famous spots is enhanced by our brand new experience concept, The Venue, giving brands, creatives and agencies the opportunity to extend their on-screen presence into physical experiences right in the heart of London.”  

Barron McCann

UK-based Barron McCann has created an innovation hub showcasing advanced technologies transforming the retail, stadium and hospitality sectors.

The company, which lists Pets at Home, Papa Johns and Iceland among its clients, has launched the facility in its Derby headquarters for customers and partners. It covers the likes of loss prevention and smart checkouts, hospitality Point of Sale solutions, colleague safety measures and sustainable initiatives like EV chargers. They are all designed to enhance customer experiences, boost operational efficiency and drive sustainability.

The hub also strengthens Barron McCann’s partnership with schools and universities by creating opportunities for students to learn and use the latest technologies. Companies being showcased include VoCoVo, 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards winners and specialists in wireless headset communication and WiFi solutions firm InCaptiv.

SML, which annually provides three billion radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to the retail sector, has a stand in the centre alongside Bizerba, specialists in hardware and software for the retail and logistics industries. The hub also features a working bar which is designed to showcase the technology delivered by Kappture, a software provider specialising in cloud-based EPoS and mobile payment systems.

From the smart retail solutions such as automated checkouts to the networking and infrastructure cabling, the space was built by the company’s in-house specialists. It also features the latest green technologies and promotes life cycle management and hardware recycling solutions.

Amazon

Amazon has announced the three newest schools to join the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Just Walk Out technology family: State University of New York Maritime College (with a Market NXT store); Lehigh University (Clutch & Go store); University of Memphis (Ron Hart Foundation Market Nxt store).

"These are all open and ready to welcome students to a frictionless shopping experience. Thanks to our amazing partners and Amazon team for their work on these beautiful stores: Gallery Chartwells Higher Education Dining Services, Sodexo, Grubhub, and Tom Cabral," says Madison DeFranco, Senior Technical Business Development, Just Walk Out Technology at Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Epson

Epson has opened a new innovation centre in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, including the launch of its first ever Textile Academy, a platform to inspire young people to contribute to a better, more eco-friendly textile industry.

The inaugural Textile Academy comprised of a one-day workshop day for textile design students at nearby Nottingham Trent University (NTU). During this event, they were given the opportunity to print their individual designs onto a range of substrates using Epson's range of digital textile printing solutions spanning direct-to-garment (DTG), direct-to-film (DTFilm), and dye sublimation printers.

An award for the design with the greatest creativity, colour, and impact, as determined by attending media, was given to Katy Harvey in the form of a SureColor F100 dye-sublimation printer.  

She says: “I learned about the different options for starting my own business or building my career through a company. It was also really great to see how my designs could work across such a wide range of items. Winning the competition for best design was really flattering, and I look forward to trying out my new (dye-sub) printer at home.”