Mango taps AI driven stylist online shopping solution: 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 Debenhams Group, AWS, Simbe, New Look, Sports Emotion, Nextail, Dexory, Exotec, Tesco, Evri, Roblox, Instacart, and Wegmans.
Mango
Mango has launched an AI powered ‘stylist’ tool. Accessible via the chat function on its e-commerce website and its Instagram, this offers product recommendations based on current styling trends and user text prompts.
Currently available in nine markets including the UK, Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Turkey, and the US, Mango Stylist is a key initiative within the Earn pillar of the retailer’s 2024-2026 strategic plan.
Debenhams Group
Debenhams Group, the online retailer behind brands including Debenhams, PrettyLittleThing, boohoo, boohooMAN and Karen Millen, says that it is accelerating the adoption of AI across its business.
A new multi-year agreement with cloud provider, Amazon Web Services (AWS), aims to streamline the troup’s operations and rapidly scale new brands using AI-driven tools.
It already uses AWS cloud services on the Debenhams platform. AWS’s serverless cloud technology powers its marketplace model by facilitating the faster onboarding of third-party sellers, a broader product selection and a smooth purchasing journey.
Debenhams will now deploy technologies like GenAI. AI generated content, powered by Amazon Bedrock, will enable it to automate product descriptions and translations across tens of thousands of products.
Automating product descriptions has made the process 20 times faster, according to those involved. On top of that, translations into six languages happen automatically, so no extra work is needed. This means products are ready to sell in different countries much quicker.
Roblox
M3GAN 2.0 (pronounced Megan 2.0) opened in cinemas around the world this past weekend.
A sequel to viral horror/sci fi hit M3GAN (2022), the plot follows M3GAN, a life like AI powered doll programmed to be a child’s ally that goes rogue, being rebuilt to combat an out of control humanoid military robot put together using her technology.
To promote the movie, M3GAN has ventured on to the Roblox platform.
In a LinkedIn post, Stephanie Latham, Vice President Global Brand Partnerships & Advertising at Roblox, said: "M3GAN is back - and not just on the big screen. Now on Roblox, users can join her to take down a new nemesis, Amelia, across fan favourite games like Clip It, Evade, and Piggy. Defeat Amelia and unlock your very own M3GAN companion to follow you across Roblox.”
She added: “Want less battle, more boogie? Head to M3GAN’s lair for a dance party and earn a free emote. She does adapt to you, after all. Big thanks to our partners at NBCUniversal and Blumhouse for bringing everyone’s favourite AI diva to Roblox - and to our amazing devs and entertainment teams for making it unforgettable.”
u’ll be changed. for good. 😈 pic.twitter.com/JffKFm3U5J
— M3GAN 2.0 (@meetM3GAN) June 28, 2025
REWE Group
REWE Group reports that users of its app can now, in addition to redeeming coupons and discounts at the checkout, also pay for their purchases.
In a LinkedIn post, Jörg Hirt, Chief Innovation Manager at REWE Digital, said: “This week, something went live that is more than a new feature in the app: REWE Pay. A dedicated payment system, integrated directly into the app – a single scan is all it takes to collect points, redeem coupons and pay directly. It couldn't be easier.”
“What impresses me about it: Consistently thought ahead, from the customer journey to the cost structure; Courageously implemented, despite complexity and existing solutions such as Apple Pay or Google Pay; Clearly positioned - independent, intuitive, data strong.”
He added: “I am pleased about such clear, strategic decisions - and the uncompromising implementation of them. It fills me with pride to be part of a company that not only plans innovations, but makes them a reality. Congratulations to all colleagues who have contributed to this. This is digital transformation in practice.”
SPAR ICS
Simbe's in-store robot Tally has joined the teams at SPAR Österreich and INTERSPAR.
In a LinkedIn post, SPAR ICS said: "On 1st July, the first two Tally robots will begin operating at INTERSPAR Eisenstadt and EUROSPAR in Vienna. Developed by Simbe Robotics, Tally autonomously scans shelves, detects product gaps, and reports stock levels in real-time."
The pilot is the result of an Innovation Trailblazers programme, where SPAR ICS was tasked with identifying technologies that create real value on the shopfloor. It says that Tally stood out because it does the following thing exceptionally well: it helps ensure that products are available exactly when customers need them.
SPAR ICS is supporting the project with key technical services - including infrastructure, integration, and deployment coordination - working with stores and relevant business departments.
Up to three times a day, Tally will check the store environment and identify gaps in shelves, and employees will then receive detailed reporting on where the goods need to be reshuffled. They will no longer have to interrupt their work and can concentrate fully on customer service.
Exotec by Dexter
Exotec by Dexter, a provider of intralogistics automation using robotics, has expanded its portfolio with new projects at six large companies in Spain.
As one of the fastest growing European markets in warehouse automation, Spain saw a 11.2% increase in logistics investments in 2024, with several companies turning to Exotec’s technology to overhaul their operations.
Exotec has signed new deals with sport and fashion retailer Sport Street; publisher Penguin Random House; used book retailer Hamelyn; pharmaceutical and healthcare company Alliance Healthcare; logistics operator ESBO Logistics; and veterinary product distributor Gepork Group.
RADAR
RADAR, a platform that combines RFID and computer vision technology to track and locate in-store inventory, has announced the launch of RADAR+, an AI analytics offering.
This builds on existing inventory tracking technology to provide real-time store intelligence. The platform is designed to help maximise sales, plan demand and allocations, prioritise workflows and support sales associates to provide a superior customer experience.
RADAR+ tracks which products are taken into fitting rooms and which picked up items convert into sales. It also detects inventory and identifies when items have been misplaced within the store or left in a fitting room.
New Look
New Look reports the implementation of Amperity, an AI powered customer data cloud, integrated with the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform. Amperity was selected earlier this year following results from a pilot programme.
The solution enables New Look to connect data across all customer touchpoints - online and in-store - to better identify high value customers and activate insights in real-time. Results from the pilot indicated a projected return on investment within the first quarter, driven by more efficient marketing campaigns, improved audience targeting, and increased cross-channel conversions.
"With Amperity's AI powered identity resolution, we've uncovered that 3.4 million customer profiles had been fragmented across multiple records," saus Jack Freeman, Customer Analytics Manager at New Look. "Most importantly, we discovered that 31% of our top customers were using multiple email addresses, making it nearly impossible to recognise and properly serve our most valuable shoppers."
Sports Emotion
Spanish sportswear retailer, Sports Emotion, has chosen Nextal to help level up inventory operations and lay the foundation for future growth.
With more than 30 stores in Spain, Portugal, and Italy, and a digital footprint, Sports Emotion is home to specialty banners such as Fútbol Emotion, Basketball Emotion, and soon Running Emotion.
As the group accelerates its expansion, it is implementing Nextail’s AI driven merchandising platform to improve availability across channels and categories, reduce excess inventory, and strengthen margins.
With Nextail, Sports Emotion gains real-time visibility, demand forecasting, and automated, store-level decisions that will improve seasonal and continuity product performance and availability. The solution also provides teams with intelligent reporting and standardised processes to reduce manual work and support decision-making at scale.
VenHub
VenHub Global, a specialist in autonomous, AI powered retail, has announced the installation of its newest store at 1841 N Highland Avenue in Hollywood, California, near the iconic Hollywood Bowl.
The deployment is part of its Southern California expansion following recent roll-outs at Metro Transit Center at LAX, Glendale, and North Hollywood. Store assembly is currently underway and will be completed within days. A formal ribbon-cutting and press preview will follow next week.
"Launching in Hollywood is more than a location decision, it's a service commitment," says Shahan Ohanessian, Founder and CEO at VenHub. "We're here to serve a vibrant community that never slows down. Whether it's residents going about their day or guests heading to a show at the Bowl, people deserve retail that is fast, accurate, secure, and always open. That is what VenHub delivers."
Happy Earth Day from VenHub 🌎 💚
— VenHub Global (@Venhubai) April 22, 2025
We’re proud to lead with sustainability—our modular smart stores are designed to reduce waste, save energy, and operate with efficiency at their core.
The future of retail is green, and we’re just getting started.#EarthDay #VenHub pic.twitter.com/3drJXZCoty
Instacart and Wegmans
Instacart, a grocery technology company in North America, has announced the launch of Caper Carts – its AI powered smart carts – at Wegmans Dewitt in Syracuse, New York. This marks the first deployment of Caper Carts at Wegmans.
Caper Carts automatically recognise items as they are dropped into the cart and customers can bag as they shop, tapping signals from an array of cameras, digital scale, and location sensors connected to NVIDIA Jetson hardware. Wegmans customers can login to their Shoppers Club account on the cart’s screen in order to shop this way.
“Caper Carts are transforming everyday grocery shopping into a faster, more personalised experience,” says David McIntosh, Chief Connected Stores Officer at Instacart. “We’re excited to partner with Wegmans - known for their exceptional customer and in-store experience - to bring this technology to their store. Together, we’re delivering customers a delightful and personalised shopping journey.”
The companies first partnered to offer same-day delivery in 2017, and have since expanded the partnership to include the likes of pickup, EBT SNAP acceptance, loyalty programme integration.
Tesco
Tesco has entered into an agreement with Attabotics that will see the UK grocery giant tapping the firm’s micro-fulfillment systems to fulfill online grocery orders.
It’s a move that is likely in line with plans to grow Tesco’s Whoosh and Marketplace offerings.
According to a report by Brittain Ladd, a supply chain consultant and former Amazon executive, citing multiple unnamed sources, it has evaluated numerous micro-fulfillment solutions on the market including AutoStore and Fabric.
The retailer looked at the technology from Attabotics for nearly two years before entering into an agreement to purchase and install a system. It required the Canadian company to meet stringent requirements across a variety of areas including picking speed, uptime, ease of use, and safety.
John Lewis Partnership
John Lewis Partnership is set to allow partner brands to access the retailer's offsite media capabilities
As a result of the new offer, brands partnering with John Lewis and Waitrose will be able to activate advertising campaigns across a range of external channels including video ads via connected TV on popular streaming platforms.
This also includes online videos and display ads on popular consumer websites.
Previously, advertising opportunities were limited to the Partnership’s own websites but now, thanks to its work with technology provider Epsilon, it is expanding into a retail media network. Using the Epsilon Retail Media Network, it will allow advertisers to reach consumers across multiple channels and devices, not just the John Lewis and Waitrose websites.
Jemma Haley, Retail Media Lead for the Partnership explains: “This move is a big step forward in creating an insight-led retail media offer that spans both grocery and non-grocery. It helps us build a detailed understanding of audiences across vastly different purchase journeys, from immediate necessities to more considered items. This will enable our brand partners to target smarter audiences powered by first-party data, helping our customers discover more relevant and tailored brands.”
Company Shop Group
Dexory, which provides warehouse visibility and automation solutions, has announced a new strategic partnership with Company Shop Group (CSG), which claims to be the UK’s biggest redistributor and retailer of surplus products.
Dexory’s autonomous robots and AI powered platform will be used to drive improvements at CSG’s Barnsley warehouse, which manages inventory including surplus food, homeware, personal care, and pet categories.
The technology will be used to ensure CSG stock is stored in the correct locations, allowing for rapid issue resolution and to support dispatch operations using by-date priority lists and real-time views of dispatch pallets.
Dexory’s robots can execute multiple autonomous scans each day, allowing CSG’s operational teams to act quickly to identify issues and implement training and improvement efforts.
Using Dexory’s solution, CSG says it is able to track stock with a level of accuracy and speed not previously possible. The technology has also freed up time for the stock control team, allowing them to focus on wider efficiency initiatives.
Evri
UK parcel delivery company, Evri, has announced plans to grow its out of home offering by 2030 - more than doubling its network of ParcelShops and lockers to 25,000.
It is set to stump up £50 million+ to launch an owned, in-house network of smart lockers. Evri will roll-out 10,000 lockers as part of this initiative.
It currently has a network of more than 10,000 ParcelShops and lockers, which includes its flagship independent shop network, Post Office branches, corporate partners such as Co-op. Parcelshops and locker locations are set to grow to 25,000, hitting the 2,000 locker milestone before Christmas.
The announcement follows a 500% year-on-year increase in locker usage, a trend which is anticipated to continue.
Walmart
Last month, Walmart Unlimited, a gamified mini-series, served up a third and final chapter.
This made its debut earlier in the year, 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 introduced characters inspired by Walmart’s real-life suppliers, including A Dozen Cousins founder Ibraheem Basir.
It was 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.
In the third episode, players joined Jabari, an aspiring artist guided by the Young Kings founder, as he journeyed through a sci-fi dreamscape to find elixirs and unlock his crown. Along the way, they faced new challenges and also discovered shoppable beauty and self-care products woven into the adventure.
"With over 1.2 million players and an average in-game time of more than 35 minutes, our gamified series has exceeded expectations," says Matteo Fanchin, Co-founder at PIGIAMA KASAMA.
"For the first time, immersive storytelling, action gameplay, and real product discovery converge in a multi-platform branded experience - built entirely on Spatial and playable on any device."
Superdrug
Superdrug has launched a new in-store Beauty Playground concept.
In a LinkedIn post, the retailer said: "Beauty just got a whole lot more playful. We’re thrilled to unveil our Beauty Playground, a new in-store concept reimagining the way our customers discover, play, and connect with beauty."
Launching first at its flagship store in Westfield Stratford on 23rd June, Beauty Playground will roll out to 30 destination Superdrug stores across the UK by August, including Manchester Trafford Centre, Glasgow Braehead, and Cardiff St Davids.
Key features: ‘Try Me Tables’ to test and play with the hottest products; Social stations with ring lights for flawless beauty content; Friendly brand ambassadors offering expert guidance; Interactive zones for discovering new and exclusive brands.
Superdrug concluded: "With the belief that “Beauty is our Duty,” this isn’t just shopping, it’s a vibrant, immersive experience designed to empower and inspire. A massive well done to everyone involved."
Amazon
Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology spin out reports recent store launches including concessions and small format retail stores at the following locations:
Starlight Express Market at Starlight in Kansas City, MO
Palmetto Market at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital in Charleston, SC
Guinness Patch at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, UK
Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island in Chicago, IL
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