Adapting stores for an omnichannel world: 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 Gap's Old Navy brand, Polytag, Rovertown, Prime Markets, Simbe, Ocula Technologies, Citi Trends, Walmart, Zapp, CITY Furniture, 3D Cloud, Fortnum & Mason, Areas, AiFi, and Lekkerland SE/REWE Group.

Primm Valley Resorts

AiFi has announced a partnership with Primm Valley Resorts to power the Star of the Desert Arena’s first cashierless store, Swipe & Go, in the Buffalo Bill's Resort & Casino.

Affinity Gaming, which operates Primm Valley Resorts and Buffalo Bill's Resort & Casino, has been working on refurbishments for two years with new slot machines, restaurants, etc. for both properties but was interested in developing additional amenities that lined up with both the customers' and staff’s needs.

It identified AiFi’s solution to simplify the checkout process and expedite the experience. The Swipe & Go store in the Star of the Desert Arena will be located as you enter the venue.

“We’re thrilled to launch our partnership with AiFi as we continue to implement technology driven services at the Buffalo Bill's Resort & Casino,” says Steve Neely, Vice President and General Manager at Primm Valley Resorts. “Our goal is to consistently seek ways to enhance our offerings, and AiFi’s spatial intelligence will not only elevate the fan experience but also drive concession sales growth in the arena.”

The Star of the Desert Arena tested its Swipe & Go store with AiFi’s technology at a recent concert and says it outsold the four other standard concession stands combined sales. The resort and casino franchise hopes to expand AiFi into other stores within the arena this year based on the initial success so far. 

Old Navy

RADAR, whose platform combines RFID, AI and computer vision technology to track and locate in-store inventory in real-time, has announced a partnership with Gap's Old Navy brand.

Old Navy's multi-year plans include a phased roll-out of RADAR's technology across its nationwide store fleet to provide its store associates with real-time inventory information to locate items anywhere in the store and deliver an improved customer experience.

"We're excited to partner with RADAR, which offers a sophisticated platform and analytics that will give our teams greater real-time inventory visibility to provide an even better in-store shopping experience," says Haio Barbeito, Old Navy President and CEO.

"Building on the rigour and discipline that is now core to how we operate, this new technology can place power in the hands of our frontline teams to better serve our customers - an important factor in our long-term strategy to make Old Navy the most loved apparel brand in North America, standing for on-trend style, consistent quality, and frictionless experience, all at an accessible price."

Tillys

Tillys, a California-based retailer of casual apparel, footwear, and accessories, celebrated the launch of its TikTok Shop this week at an event in Hollywood with actor Austin North.

The Outer Banks star was joined by the likes of Vanderpump Rules star Charli Burnett, America’s Got Talent alum Brynn Rumfallo, Olympian Nick Itkin and influencers Renee Ash and Michelle Kennelly. 

Guests were treated to specialty cocktails, light bites, and activations such as sweatshirt embroidery. 

According to a press release: "Tillys has long been a go-to shopping destination for young men and women and TikTok Shop is the perfect place for the brand, making themselves more accessible to their Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumer base. Available to shop now are a variety of trend driven styles from must-have denim and sportswear to chic handbags and best selling sneakers perfect for Spring and beyond."

Polytag

Polytag reports the integration of four plastic detection units at material recycling facilities (MRFs) in Wales.

The new sites in Conwy, Gwynedd, Pembrokeshire, and Anglesey are pitched as a significant step in Polytag's Ecotrace Programme, an industry led initiative providing brands, retailers, and waste management businesses with real-time data on the recycling of single-use plastic.

They have joined Re-Gen’s MRF in Newry (Northern Ireland) and Biffa facilities in Edmonton and Teesside in the programme. Using Polytag's technology brands will gain data visibility on the 146,000 tonnes of waste that enters the recycling and recovery stream across the four Welsh sites each year.

Polytag's PDUs scan packaging for invisible UV tags embedded in label artwork. This enables brands to track exactly when and where their plastic packaging is recycled, closing the data gap in the recycling process. The newly installed units, delivered in partnership with Welsh company, EBS, scan and collect barcode level data on individual products as they enter the recycling stream.

Aligning with Wales’s broader strategy to achieve net zero by 2030, this project was made possible through a £100,000 grant from the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Centre for Excellence, funded by the Welsh government.

Ikea

.Ikea has uunveiled its redesigned Soroksár store in Budapest, pitched as a major step in the retailer’s efforts to adapt its physical locations for an omnichannel world.

For the first time ever, it has merged the Market Hall and the Showroom into one floor, dedicating the other floor to online fulfilment.

The latter area brings under one roof automation and digital solutions that Ingka Group, the biggest Ikea retailer, has tested separately in different markets but not until now utilised together in one place. The result is its biggest fulfilment store in Europe, and the largest fulfilment store in the world by 2026.

The nearly Euro 50 million investment has doubled the store’s online sales capacity to almost a million orders a year, and aims to enhance in-person shopping and e-commerce fulfilment while ensuring a full product range remains available for customers.

“It’s really a different kind of experience if you’re going through the Soroksár store compared to any other Ikea store around the world. The shopping journey is shorter, more interactive and automated, and it still offers our customers the full Ikea experience - complete with our entire product range, expertise of our co-workers, and of course delicious food,” says David McCabe, Country Retail Manager & Chief Sustainability Officer at Ikea Czechia, Hungary, and Slovakia.

Features like the Rug Projector tool bring products to life, while digital kiosks and the Ikea app simplify browsing, in-store navigation, and post-purchase engagement.

Rovertown

Game Room is a new feature on the Rovertown platform that's designed to help convenience retailers turn app engagement into a daily habit.

“Game Room turns app engagement into a daily habit,” says Jeffry Harrison, President and Co-Founder at Rovertown. “When customers open your app every day to play and earn their daily rewards, they’re thinking about your brand constantly. That’s the kind of engagement every retailer wants.”

With more than 30 games available and eight active at any time, Game Room is centrally managed by Rovertown, with the aim of ensuring users always have relevant content. Players earn coins based on daily participation, not skill.

Retailers can also create a coupon catalogue and drive sales by allowing customers to redeem coins for in-store products. Game Room will also feature Rovertown’s instant win experiences, including the recently released Scratch Offs game.

“Our team piloted Game Room, and the results speak for themselves,” says Jessica Starnes, Director of Loyalty at Weigel’s. “Initial data shows that time spent in our app increased by 15.6% across all users. We’re excited to continue exploring how we can use this to drive deeper engagement with our customers.” 

Boxbar Tech

Boxbar Tech reports a deployment at Moody Center in Austin, Texas.

In a LinkedIn post, the company said: "As one of the top entertainment destinations in Texas, Moody Center hosts world class live music and major sporting events, from Kylie Minogue, Charli XCX, and Tyler, The Creator to College Basketball, WWE, UFC and more. Alongside our partners, we are introducing high quality draft service in areas where traditional bars can’t fit."

"Now, with our award winning automated bars in place, fans can enjoy premium cocktails from Garrison Brothers Bourbon, Tito's Handmade Vidka, and LALO Tequila, without the wait: two locations, three delicious premium cocktails to choose from, six Points of Sale, 12 serving taps for maximum efficiency, and two drinks poured in as little as six seconds."

It added: "A huge thank you to our partners at Oak View Group and the Moody Center for their collaboration in making this happen. We’re thrilled to continue expanding our network of venues across the US, bringing the Boxbar Tech revolution to operators and fans everywhere."

Prime Markets

Simbe reports a partnership with Universal Cold Store (Prime Markets), a grocery retail chain in Saudi Arabia, involving the introduction of its autonomous robot, Tally.

In a first for the region, the aim here is to enhance inventory management, improve pricing accuracy, and elevate the customer experience across select Prime Markets locations.

Tally autonomously roams store aisles and scans shelves multiple times a day. Using AI and computer vision technology, it identifies out-of-stock items, pricing errors, and misplaced products, collecting product data. With its insights, store teams can ensure that customers’ desired items are adequately stocked and priced correctly, while also enabling faster fulfillment of online orders.

“We are committed to delivering the highest quality shopping experience for our valued customers, and Tally is a power tool for taking that to the next level,” says Nooman Hussain, IT Director, Prime Markets. “Based on Tally’s proven performance in stores around the globe, we’re excited to bring this technology to our stores in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” 

Areas

Global travel food and beverage and retail company, Areas, has launched two fully automated On Your Way stores at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The location at Madrid-Barajas Airport, the first of its kind in a Spanish airport, leverages AI powered sensors and cameras to allow customers to enter, select their items, and exit without manual checkout.

Meanwhile, the Atlanta International Airport location integrates AiFi’s computer vision technology to provide a 24/7 autonomous shopping experience.

In a LInkedIn post, Areas said: "To optimise queue management and enable automatic payments, these fully autonomous stores enhance convenience and optimise efficiency, setting a new standard in the industry. This initiative reinforces our commitment to innovation, following the recent launch of SELF, the world’s first AI powered robotic restaurant at Barcelona-El Prat Airport."

Fortnum & Mason

Luxury retailer Fortnum & Mason is tapping into the on-demand delivery space. It is partnering with Zapp to make a range of products, including its signature loose-leaf teas, tea selections, biscuits and hampers available 24/7 for customers in London.

Liz Darran, Chief Brand & Creative Officer at Fortnum & Mason, says: “We are always looking for new ways to bring our products to customers in a way that complements their busy lifestyles. Partnering with leading tech brand Zapp, ensures our customers can enjoy their favourite Fortnum’s treats whenever they wish, delivered in minutes, 24/7.”

Rowan Lawson, Director at Zapp, says: "We’re delighted to welcome Fortnum & Mason to Zapp, offering our customers instant access to some of the most sought after luxury products on the market. Our partnership combines the best of our on demand 24/7 delivery with Fortnum’s heritage and quality, reflecting a shift in how premium brands now reach consumers."

Fortnum & Mason lays claim to being the first of London’s high end stores to partner with an on demand delivery service. In 2022, Zapp launched Boutique, pitched as an industry first premium and luxury focused ‘store within a store’ on the firm’s app, featuring brands such as LVMH, Antinori, Apple, Dr. Barbara Sturm, Bamford and Belvedere. 

Walmart

Walmart has launched its first ever server on Minecraft Java Edition.

Walmart Skyward is being released in the run up to A Minecraft Movie hitting cinemas in April.

It is pitched as an action packed, story driven server on Minecraft Java Edition where players embark on a space adventure to find a lost friend. It will run over the course of six weeks, with a new chapter being released each week, taking players on a journey across galaxies to uncover the secrets of an interstellar civilisation.

"While Walmart Skyward is not an official Minecraft service, we’ve created a truly immersive experience for players and YouTube content creators alike, offering endless content creation possibilities with our chapter-based format. Walmart is also players' go to destination for Minecraft products, including exclusive items from The Minecraft Movie," says Justin Breton, Head of Brand Marketing Innovation at Walmart.

"This activation is a significant step in our growing commitment to the world of gaming. With over three billion gamers worldwide and even more gaming content consumers, gaming is more than just entertainment - it’s a culture. From Minecraft lovers to YouTube creators, we're here to make gaming even more accessible, creative, and unforgettable."

Citi Trends

Invent.ai has been selected by Citi Trends, a value retailer of apparel, accessories and home trends primarily for African American and multicultural families in the US, to provide AI powered inventory solutions for allocation and replenishment.

Invent.ai’s AI and machine learning capabilities will help Citi Trends optimise inventory and enhance efficiency across nearly 600 stores and two distribution centres.

“We are excited to partner with invent.ai to transform our inventory management processes,” says Ken Seipel, Chief Executive Officer at Citi Trends. “By embracing AI and data driven decision-making, we are confident that we can significantly enhance our operational agility, improve our bottom line, and deliver exceptional experiences for our valued customers.”

Studenac market

Croatian retailer Studenac market has provided an update on the status of construction of a new logistics and distribution centre in Velika Gorica, pitched as a key step in strengthening its supply chain.

On 36,000 square metres of warehouse space, with an investment of over €10 million, the aim here is to optimise distribution, improve logistics processes and create over 400 new jobs.

In a LinkedIn post, Studenac market said: "In addition to advanced digital solutions, we also focus on the energy efficiency of the building, so about 80% of the roof will be covered with solar panels. In this way, we continue to raise our logistics and distribution to the highest level of excellence."

"By mid-2026, we will operate as many as two completely new, technologically advanced, sustainable and environmentally efficient facilities. While the works in Velika Gorica are progressing, in the meantime, a contract has been signed for the new LDC Split in Dugopolje, which will cover 23 thousand square metres. Ready for the future - because growth never stops!"

Brooks Mays Music

Ocula Technologies reports a new partnership with US retailer Brooks Mays Music.

Founded in 1901, Brook Mays specialises in musical instrument retail. In a LinkedIn post, Thomas McKenna, CEO at Ocula Technologies, said:

"We will be supporting the brilliant Ray Everitt (President at Universal Melody Online) and his team as they take this iconic third generation business into a new era of AI innovation."

"We offer a huge range of musical instruments, but keeping product information accurate and optimised across our site has been a challenge. Ocula’s AI is helping us create high quality, consistent product content while boosting SEO and traffic. Excited to see the impact," says Everitt.

Ocean Outdoor

Out of home landmarks the BFI IMAX, Piccadilly Lights and screens across Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City powered down to mark Earth Hour over the weekend (Saturday, 22nd March at 8.30pm).

The outdoor locations joined other prominent landmarks including the London Eye, the Tate museums and Buckingham Palace in a symbolic gesture to support the WWF’s global movement which is now in its 19th year.

Lisa Lee, Executive Director of Brand, Campaigns and Communications, WWF-UK, says: “Earth Hour is a moment for all of us to switch off from our busy lives, reflect, and reconnect with nature and the wellbeing benefits it provides.”

“As landmarks, businesses, and individuals across the world turn off their lights, we can show our shared commitment to protecting the planet. This is also an opportunity to consider how we can take action as individuals and communities to restore nature and allow nature to restore us, during Earth Hour and beyond.”

CITY Furniture

CITY Furniture has deployed a suite of 3D tools, now live on its website.

With the recently launched 3D Cloud 360 Spins, WebAR, and CITY Furniture 3D Room Planner, customers can: Explore products from any angle with interactive 360 spins; See furniture in their space with WebAR augmented reality; Design entire rooms in 3D.

"We partnered with 3D Cloud because they share our commitment to innovation, quality, and exceptional customer experiences," says Andrew Koenig, CEO at CITY Furniture. "Scaling 3D content is challenging, and having the right partner makes all the difference. 3D Cloud delivers."

Lekkerland SE/REWE Group

Lekkerland SE/REWE Group has debuted its new train station kiosk concept at Cologne Central Station in Germany.

In a LinkedIn post, Michael Mayer-Sonnenburg, Vice President, REWE To Go Convenience Stores, said: “Who doesn't relates to this? The train is coming soon, but you should quickly take a coffee or a snack with you - preferably directly on the platform. This is exactly what our new concept makes possible.”

“Yesterday (20th March) we opened the first REWE To Go track kiosk on tracks 10/11. And that's just the beginning: In the next few weeks, four more kiosks will follow on the other platforms.”

These offer: Fresh baked goods and sandwiches;  Bananas and apples for a healthy snack on the go; Coffee, from espresso to cappuccino; Cold soft drinks – non-alcoholic and alcoholic; Chewing gum, confectionery and tobacco products on the go.