Starring Superdry, M&S, Walmart: these are our most read retail technology articles from last week
Check out the articles on this here website that caught your fancy last week, including InPost, Lekkerland SE, AiFi, Lidl, TikTok Shop, lululemon, Unity, Spatial, Zepeto, and Preferabli.
Marks and Spencer launches AI powered tool to help customers find the perfect bottle of wine
M&S customers can now use its new Wine Finder tool powered by AI technology to help them select the right bottle of vino for their palate.
Available online for more than 500 stores and on Point of Sale marketing in 20 Foodhalls, this asks a few quick questions about personal preferences before offering tailored recommendations of wines ranged in the chosen store.
The retailer is trialling the tool to help customers shop a category that it says can be confusing. Research, conducted on behalf of M&S, found that nearly a quarter of shoppers spend more than ten minutes deliberating in the wine aisle.
The tool is supported by the M&S Food digital catalogue, which provides customers with live stock information across its more than 1,000 stores. Available through its app, millions of customers are using the digital catalogue to better plan their shop as M&S aims to become more of a shopping list retailer.
Customers can see what’s in stock at their local store and add items to a digital shopping list. The Wine Finder can access the catalogue to make personalised recommendations which are stocked in the relevant store for customers.
The technology is powered by Preferabli and it’s the first time it’s being integrated by a grocery retailer in the UK.
InPost taps QR codes as parcel lockers firm launches its first customer to customer delivery service
Parcel lockers specialist InPost is squaring up to Royal Mail with the launch of a new customer to customer product - Send.
"Our new service makes sending parcels easier than ever. No more labels, no more queues," says Neil Kuschel, CEO UK at InPost. "Putting both senders and receivers of parcels in control for the first time, Send makes standing in queues and buying labels a thing of the past."
Using the InPost app, customers can buy a QR code to post parcels from any InPost out of home point (locker or shop) and send to another OOH point or directly to an address. With no labels or printing required, parcels are fully tracked through the app.
Cashierless Rewe To Go Smart Box store opens doors in public arrivals area of Germany's Frankfurt airport
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.
Lidl TikTok Shop social commerce launch results in a complete sell out with just 18 minutes on the clock
Last month, we reported on Lidl 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, went on sale at the reduced price of £5 while stocks lasted, with all proceeds going to the NSPCC.
The initiative resulted in a complete sell out within just 18 minutes.
“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,” said Lidl GB Marketing Director Joanna Gomer at the time of the launch.
“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.”
In an update posted on LinkedIn, Lidl said: “We’re always on the lookout for fresh ways to engage with our customers, and this morning was a big one. Our exclusive high protein bundles dropped on TikTok Shop in a supermarket first for GB… and they flew off the (virtual) shelves in record time.”
“A huge thanks to everyone who got involved – what a way to make our TikTok shop debut! And with all proceeds going to the NSPCC, it was a sell-out success in more ways than one.”
Adetayo Adeyemi, TikTok Key Accounts - FMCG, added: “TikTok Shop is proving to be a powerful everyday sales channel for brands to connect with customers.”
Walmart Unlimited gamified mini-series set to go live this week on Spatial immersive platform
Walmart Unlimited, a new, gamified mini-series, made its debut this week, brought to you by Walmart, Unity and Spatial in collaboration with animators and producers Martian Blueberry and game development studio PIGIAMA KASAMA.
The first episode introduces characters inspired by Walmart’s real-life suppliers, including A Dozen Cousins founder Ibraheem Basir.
It’s the US retail giant’s latest attempt to tap immersive commerce - a form of online shopping that combines VR with 3D visualisations and gamification - to connect with the next generation of consumers.
Walmart has also been testing out Roblox and this week it announced its fifth No Boundaries drop on Zepeto, featuring ten new virtual items, inspired by the Spring No Boundaries collection.
As with previous drops, the real-world versions of these items are shoppable without leaving the Korean metaverse platform. Every purchase includes a free virtual twin of the item.
lululemon opens largest flagship store in EMEA to date as Regent Street, London location sees double
Performance apparel, footwear, and accessories brand, lululemon, is relocating its London Regent Street flagship store to a bigger space, making it the company's largest store in EMEA.
The new location is double the size of the previous one, with 8,923 sq ft of retail space. It will house lululemon’s men’s and women’s clothing and accessories for yoga, running, training, and everything in-between.
Unique features include lululemon’s biggest pant wall in Europe, its largest assortment of menswear in EMEA, and elements of its newest store design concept. There will also be a water bottle personalisation station and a staircase light feature, which changes tones depending on time of day.
“We’re so excited to open the doors to our biggest store in EMEA”, says Sarah Clark, Senior Vice President, lululemon EMEA. “Regent Street is one of the most important shopping destinations in the world, and 11 years after opening our first store in London we’re delighted to welcome our community to our newest flagship store.”
“With double the space of our previous location, our guests will be able to discover our all gender offering for yoga, run, training, casual, localised product and more, across two incredible floors showcasing our latest beautiful store design. lululemon has seen significant International growth in recent years - we have ambitions to quadruple International sales from 2021-2026 - and this London flagship store will be a must visit destination for both our local and international guests at an exciting time in our EMEA expansion.”
Fifth Walmart No Boundaries drop on Zepeto with real-world versions of items shoppable without leaving platform
Walmart has announced its fifth No Boundaries drop on Zepeto, featuring ten new virtual items, inspired by the Spring No Boundaries collection.
As with previous drops, the real-world versions of these items are shoppable without leaving the Korean metaverse platform. Every purchase includes a free virtual twin of the item.
In a LinkedIn post, Justin Breton, Head of Brand Marketing Innovation at Walmart, said: “If you’re going to activate on an emerging platform: Do it right, by listening to the community; Do it well, by testing, learning, and optimising; Do it often, with consistent, fresh updates.”
“That’s exactly how we’ve approached our No Boundaries activations on Zepeto. And today, we’re marking a milestone: our fifth drop, featuring ten new virtual items, all inspired by our Spring No Boundaries collection. Why are these items just tops? Because that’s what the community asked for. And we listened to them.”
He added: “To make this drop even more engaging, we’ve also added a new photobooth backdrop, giving users more ways to create and share their No Boundaries looks. We believe the future of fashion is community driven, immersive, and borderless. And we’re just getting started.”
Superdry explores the world of AI and discusses how the retailer can leverage it to shape its future
Superdry has hosted an AI Lunch & Learn session at its HQ, led by the retailer's Technology Director, Dafydd Moore, where it introduced colleagues to what AI truly means for humans, society, and the business.
In a LinkedIn post, Superdry said: "We explored the world of artificial intelligence - its impact on the economy and retail, and how we, at Superdry can leverage it to shape our future."
"Why is this important for Superdry? Technology is a strategic enabler in achieving our business goals. It is essential for us to stay informed and embrace change to adapt, evolve, and thrive in a technology driven retail landscape."
Key takeaways from the session as follows:
We cannot slow down technology, but we can learn how to utilise it effectively.
AI may seem intimidating, and concerns like "What about my job?" are common. However, remember that AI is not conscious - we are.
Humans will always play a crucial role. Developing a growth mindset is vital for thinking differently about our future.
Continue reading…