Retail technology innovation of the week: Just Eat deploys AI voice assistant across European markets
Retail Technology Innovation of the Week is a series brought to you by RTIH, highlighting stand out deployments, launches, and initiatives by retailers and tech suppliers. Every week, we showcase forward thinking tech plays that have impressed our Editor and the Retail Technology Innovations Report judging panel, building up to the publication of the 2026 report later this year.
And this week we’re focusing on Just Eat which has launched its AI voice assistant solution across Europe. It lays claim to being the first major on-demand delivery platform to deploy a conversational AI assistant at scale across European markets.
Rolled out in the UK and Germany earlier this year, and available on both iOS and Android, this is designed to help customers discover local restaurants, grocers and shops through natural conversation, making it easier to explore new options when they aren't quite sure what they fancy.
Early data from the UK launch shows customers using voice AI are able to find what they're looking for around 40% faster than those using the text only AI assistant. They are also 30% more likely to choose a recommended restaurant or dish than customers browsing through the traditional search experience.
Jörg Gerbig, Chief Corporate Development Officer at Just Eat, says: "The biggest challenge in food delivery today isn't finding restaurants. It's deciding. Every evening, millions of people ask themselves the same question: 'What do I feel like eating?' Our AI voice assistant removes the friction from ordering, letting customers describe what they want in their own words, just like talking to a friend. The future of convenience isn't about giving people more choices. It's about giving them the right choice."
And honourable mentions this week to...
Ocado Group and Lotte Shopping
Ocado Group reports the launch of its first customer fulfilment centre (CFC) with Lotte Shopping in South Korea. Following a partnership deal inked in 2022, last year Lotte went live with the Ocado Smart Platform, fulfilling orders using Ocado's in-store fulfilment (ISF) software. And now the first automated CFC will serve a catchment covering four million households across Busan and the broader Yeongnam region.
It also introduces a number of innovations for the first time. These include the launch of Ocado's fully automated freezer (Auto-Freezer), bringing Ocado's proprietary 'hive and bot' automation into temperatures as low as -25° C. The site will also support dawn delivery, enabling freshly packed grocery orders to reach customers’ homes before 7am.
It is also expected to be the most environmentally efficient Ocado CFC in the world, supporting a 100% electric vehicle fleet for daytime deliveries and operating more energy efficient 3D printed bots, with multi-temperature totes to maximise storage density for delivery. The widespread installation of solar panels will reduce annual carbon emissions by over 1,000 tonnes, those involved claim.
Nick De La Vega, Chief Revenue Officer, Ocado Group, says: “This is another major milestone for Ocado as we launch one of our most advanced CFCs to date in one of the world's leading markets for grocery e-commerce. Online is fast becoming the main grocery channel for many customers across South Korea, and we are excited to help Lotte deliver a step-change in the choice, service and experience it offers shoppers."
Cha Woo Chul, Chief Executive Officer, Lotte Mart & Super, says: “ZETTA Smartcentre Busan is a next-generation online logistics centre combining Lotte Mart’s fresh food expertise with UK Ocado’s AI robot logistics technology. By delivering farm-fresh produce on schedule to four million households in the Yeongnam region, we will reshape the paradigm of domestic online grocery shopping. Backed by world class robot automation technology, eco-friendly management, safety control, and the creation of 2,000 local jobs, we will establish a model of a trusted, sustainable future logistics centre for customers in the Yeongnam region.”
Supermercados El Jamón
Supermercados El Jamón has selected Hanshow's electronic shelf label (ESL) solution to support the next phase of its in-store digital transformation push. The initiative includes the installation of nearly three million ESLs across its store network in southern Spain over the next three years.
A Hanshow spokesperson says: “With more than 370 supermarkets and celebrating its 60 years of history, Supermercados El Jamón is a well established food retailer with deep roots in the communities it serves. As the business continues to grow, it remains focused on creating store environments that work better for both customers and in-store teams.”
They add: “With this project, Supermercados El Jamón reaffirms its commitment to a modern, efficient, and sustainable supermarket model, where technological innovation is put at the service of people. Thank you to the team for their trust and collaboration. We look forward to continuing to support them on their journey ahead.”
