REWE Group taps Trigo, AiFi, Reckon.ai, Pixevia, Stüwer tech as retail space changes rapidly

Christophe Eltze, Chief Digital and Technology Officer at REWE Group, has taken to social media to discuss how the retailer is consistently investing in future technologies amid a rapidly changing industry.

In a LinkedIn post, he said: Our claim - we meet our customers where they are at the moment. One thing is clear: The requirements of our customers are diverse, shopping habits are changing - one concept that we are actively testing and constantly developing in this context is smart store solutions. Within REWE Group, we pursue various options across different sales lines and look at a broad repertoire that continues to grow."

For instance, together with its technology partner Trigo, it has six REWE Pick&Go test stores in operation, in which shopping is possible thanks to computer vision without the classic payment process. At PENNY Romania, it also opened the first autonomous PENNY store in Bucharest last year together with Trigo.

In Lithuania, meanwhile, REWE Group is testing five autonomous stores in Vilnius at IKI - IKI Go. For scanless technology, it has teamed with local startup Pixevia.

At Lekkerland SE, it is developing and testing various smart store solutions in the convenience sector together with technology partners AiFi, Reckon.ai, and Stüwer, based on the notion that "one size fits all" does not work. It now operates more than 20 smart store locations, including at charging parks, hospitals and office locations, as well as at high frequency locations such as Frankfurt Airport.

Eltze concluded: "Behind all these concepts are teams that drive these digital solutions forward with a lot of commitment, passion and vision for the future. In future oriented projects, innovations take time, solutions must be accepted - which is why tests are enormously important in order to continuously improve the customer journey with the findings and to understand and meet the needs of our customers."

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Physical stores will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards, which are now open for entries, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.