Caper Carts hit Preston as scan and pay reigns in Spain: presenting July’s stand out retail technology plays
RTIH Editor, Scott Thompson, brings you his stand out technology deployments and launches from July, including Butlin's, Boxbar Tech, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Morrisons, Instacart, Vusion, Waitrose, SOLUM, Walmart, La-Z-Boy, 3D Cloud, Auchan Retail, shopreme, Sephora UK, Ocado Group, Simbe, and Lidl GB.
Butlin's
Butlin's has completed the roll-out of 119 automated self-serve bar terminals across its three UK resorts, becoming the world’s first holiday resort operator to introduce the Boxbar machines. This is pitched as the largest deployment of its kind anywhere in the world.
The installation spans entertainment venues at Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness. The aim is to increase bar service capacity all year round, maximise sales during peak trading periods, reduce queues and improve the guest experience. The 119-unit deployment spans Boxbar's full machine portfolio including Boxbar Mobile (2-Bank & 3-Bank), Container and fixed TapWall installations. By combining permanent and mobile formats, Butlin's says it can service a wide variety of indoor and outdoor venues whilst retaining the flexibility to support special events and changing guest demand.
The units can pour two drinks in as little as six seconds and serve a broad drinks menu, with 20 different products on offer across the Butlin’s portfolio. Across the three resorts, the deployment has the capability to dispense hundreds of drinks every minute. The technology has been integrated into Butlin's existing guest experience, including support for the resort's popular All Inclusive Drinks package.
Morrisons
Morrisons has launched Instacart’s Caper Cart smart trolleys at a Preston supermarket, marking North American firm Instacart’s first retail partnership in the UK for its AI powered solution. These automatically recognise items as they are placed in the trolley, including weighing fresh produce on the spot.
Customers can bag items as they shop, saving time throughout the trip and making checkout quicker and easier. The trolley's touchscreen displays a running basket total to help customers stay on budget, makes relevant product recommendations, and enables them to scan their Morrisons More Card to access loyalty savings and promotions throughout their shop. At the end of their trip, they scan the barcode displayed on the trolley's screen at a dedicated Caper checkout lane to complete payment.
"Caper smart trolleys represent a new era for in-store grocery shopping - one where the physical store is as intelligent and personalised as the best online experience," says David McIntosh, Chief Connected Stores Officer at Instacart. “Customers want technology that helps them stay on budget and discover products they love, and Caper smart trolleys deliver both, directly in the aisle. We're proud to bring this to the UK for the first time through our partnership with Morrisons, who share our belief that technology should make the weekly shop not just easier, but genuinely more enjoyable."
"Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and we're always looking for ways to make their weekly shop easier, more rewarding, and more enjoyable, to give them more reasons to shop at Morrisons," says Gordon Macpherson, Productivity Director at Morrisons. “Caper smart trolleys do exactly that, giving customers real-time visibility of their spending, instant access to their More Card savings, and a more seamless experience in the aisle. We're proud to be the first UK retailer to bring this technology to our customers, and we look forward to seeing how shoppers in Preston and across Lancashire respond to this innovative new trolley in this in-store trial.”
Caper Carts are now live in more than 100 cities across the US and Australia with the likes of Kroger, Wakefern Food Corp., Schnucks, and Coles.
Tesco
ICE recently announced a partnership with Tesco, launching autonomous cleaning robots across 600 Express stores. The pair said that this was the first deployment of this scale in the UK convenience sector. The initial phase of the roll-out has now been completed.
The machines are designed as "co-bots" to work alongside Tesco colleagues. By taking over routine floor cleaning, they free up time for the store teams to focus on serving customers. The technology promises a highly consistent, premium clean every single day, backed by data tracking and reporting.
In a LinkedIn post, Tabitha Gafencu, Project Manager - Stores Transformation and Operations Development at Tesco, said: "600 stores. One vision. Countless people behind the success. We've officially completed the initial phase of our 600-store cleaning automation roll-out - the largest deployment of its kind delivered in the UK to date."
She added: "A project of this scale and complexity is never about one team alone. It has taken the commitment, collaboration, and dedication of many stakeholders across the business, store colleagues, shift leaders, store managers, ICE engineers and suppliers to turn a shared vision into reality."
Auchan Retail
Working with shopreme, Auchan Retail has launched AutoScan, a new service available in its Club Alcampo app that allows people to scan products with their mobile phone whilst moving around a store and then speeds up the checkout experience.
The service has begun to be implemented in around 40 Alcampo stores in the Community of Madrid, Catalonia and Castilla-La Mancha, and will be extended to the entire Spain network before the end of 2026.
To start, shoppers access AutoScan from the app when they arrive at the store and activate it using the available signage or geolocation. Then, it's time to scan each product before putting it in the basket or cart. At the end, they click on the payment option to generate a QR code and transfer the purchase to the checkouts enabled for this service. Team members are on hand to help if any issues arise.
CeX
Refurbished tech and entertainment retailer CeX has partnered with Auror to roll-out the firm’s crime reporting platform to its 390 UK stores. The platform allows colleagues to record instances of crime, giving CeX the intelligence needed to identify top offenders, make more informed decisions to protect their people and manage risk across their estates, and collaborate with police to investigate the most serious offenders.
CeX Head of Loss Prevention Derrick Gough says the second–hand retail sector faces a different set of risks that can often be misunderstood or overlooked.
"Because much of our stock isn't sitting out on the shopfloor, the crime we see is rarely ordinary shoplifting," he comments. "It's a phone snatched when someone asks to see a device, it's robberies, and unfortunately it's threats to our colleagues in escalated situations. Those moments are frightening for our teams. Their wellbeing is our top priority. Auror has given us a consistent way to record what's happened and surface the repeat offenders behind it - in fact, a prolific cross-country offender linked to £48,000 of stolen products at CeX was arrested following their last theft attempt in Edmonton.”
Auror GM UK & Europe Mark Gleeson says: “While the nature of risk is different from retailer to retailer, the consistent trend across the whole sector is that 70% of crime in retail settings is driven by the top 10% of repeat offenders, and those same offenders are up to four times more likely to be violent. The sector cannot get on top of this problem alone. When committed retailers, like CeX, appreciate the value of working together then every store in that network becomes safer and they can understand who the top high-harm offenders are because offenders are not brand loyal and do not respect jurisdictional boundaries.”
Sephora UK
Sephora UK has officially opened the doors to its first boutique store concept in the UK on London's Carnaby Street. The 2,691 sq ft location has been designed to bring Sephora's premium beauty experience to a more intimate, high street setting, while maintaining its signature service and product offer.
It also introduces Sephora's new Beauty Scan technology. Powered by a lens attached to a Beauty Advisor's phone, this analyses customers' skin to deliver insights beyond app only solutions, including oil and hydration levels for skincare needs and more precise foundation shade matching.
Sarah Boyd, Managing Director, Sephora UK, says: "Today (23rd July) marks an incredibly exciting milestone for Sephora UK as we officially open the doors to our very first boutique in market. Since returning to the UK, our community has continued to ask for more Sephora locations across central London, so we're incredibly proud to bring this exciting new format to one of the world's most iconic shopping destinations after a period of regional expansion.”
She adds: “Everything about this boutique has been designed around how our customers shop today. Whether they're discovering a new brand during their lunch break, browsing with friends at the weekend or looking for personalised beauty advice before an evening out, we've created a space that delivers everything people love about Sephora in a format that feels effortless, inspiring and perfectly suited to the rhythm of city life.”
“Carnaby Street has always been synonymous with creativity, individuality and self-expression values that perfectly reflect our own. We can't wait to welcome both Londoners and visitors from around the world into our newest store as we continue building the future of prestige beauty retail in the UK."
Waitrose
Waitrose reports that it has rolled out SOLUM electronic shelf labels to more than 200 stores nationwide. Since announcing the partnership in December 2025, the grocery retailer has continued deploying SOLUM’s Newton Pro ESLs across its estate to modernise how pricing and product information are managed in-store.
Mark Duckworth, Country Manager UK & Ireland at SOLUM, says: “Reaching the 200-store mark is an important milestone, but more importantly, it reflects how retailers are rethinking the role of technology within the store. Digital shelf technology is fast becoming part of the connected retail infrastructure that enables stores to respond more quickly, operate more efficiently and deliver a better experience for Partners and customers alike. We’re proud to be supporting Waitrose as it continues that journey.”
Waitrose says that it selected Newton Pro for its “premium design, reliability and suitability for food retail environments”. The solution enables centrally managed updates to pricing and product information across fresh, ambient and specialist categories, while maintaining the level of in-store presentation expected by Waitrose customers.
As the roll-out continues across additional stores, the programme represents part of its ongoing investment in digitally enabled retail operations.
Bodycare
We recently reported that Bodycare had connected with PMC to design, orchestrate and deliver the digital infrastructure that will power its new store network as the health and beauty retailer prepares for its return to the UK high street.
It is also rolling out Retail247’s Origin and Archean solutions as part of its comeback story.
Last year, Bodycare closed all its stores after collapsing into administration. Its brand and intellectual property were acquired out of administration in late 2025 by an investor group led by former The Body Shop and Molton Brown CEO Charles Denton, and it is now aiming to open 25 UK stores in 2026, growing to 200 locations over the next five years.
In a LinkedIn post, Retail247 said: “After a successful first half of the year at Retail247, we're delighted to announce another new client partnership - Bodycare. Even better, they're already live with Origin and Archean following our fastest implementation project to date.”
It added: “Under the leadership of Charles Denton, Bodycare's experienced leadership team, including David Stern, Alison Costello,
Ryan Newey and Tash Courtnay-Smith, is driving the next phase of the retailer's transformation, accelerating its UK expansion and building the future of value health and beauty retail. The business is entering an exciting new chapter focused on revitalising the brand, modernising operations, and building a scalable platform for future growth.”
“To support this journey, Bodycare has selected Retail247's Origin and Archean platforms to establish robust retail foundations, give teams the visibility and control they need to make faster decisions, improve stock availability, and support continued expansion. This will enable greater operational visibility, improved decision-making, and the agility needed to support an ambitious growth strategy. We're particularly proud as this is our fastest implementation to date and is a testament to the strength of our solutions, our team, and the collaborative approach already being demonstrated by everyone involved. We look forward to working closely with the Bodycare team and supporting them as they write the next chapter of their story.”
Ocado Group
Ocado Group has announced an agreement to build a large customer fulfilment centre for a "fast growing European national retailer". The specific retailer has not been named, but we do know that Ocado will install its latest technology into the facility and it is due to go live in FY28.
The site will be equipped with Ocado’s Reimagined technology suite, including the 600s bot, On-Grid Robotic Pick (OGRP), and a fully automated freezer.
Plans are afoot for the unnamed retailer to quickly transfer its existing online order volumes into the CFC, with the site expected to go live with utilisation at just over half of its design capacity.
Tim Steiner, Chief Executive at Ocado Group, says: “I’m delighted that our world leading automation and robotics have been chosen to help drive forward the online operations of another leading retailer. Together with our agreement with Asda earlier this year, this partnership highlights the growing demand for our solutions across the breadth of our technology offering.”
La-Z-Boy
La-Z-Boy has announced the expanded use of new 3D Cloud technology to boost its omnichannel shopping and design experiences and to streamline internal operations.
“We have believed, and invested, in innovation since our founding,” comments Melinda Whittington, CEO, La-Z-Boy Incorporated. “It’s how we have met and continue to meet our customers, partners, and team members' ever evolving needs to deliver value across the business.”
“The expansion of 3D Cloud’s upgraded, new API-based technology into our business processes means that we can show every product and configuration exactly as it will be built, replacing the time-intensive process of manual rendering production,” says Gerardo Ornelas, VP, Enterprise Digital Transformation at La-Z-Boy Incorporated. “The downstream impact of the expanded technology is positive. It gives our customers an improved shopping and design experience, while supporting our team with tools to move faster and align with merchandising priorities.”
Tesco
Tesco is trialling Simbe’s Tally in-store shelf scanning robot. This is taking place at a single store, with plans to extend the pilot to a small number of other locations.
A photo of Tally in action was added to Reddit with the poster noting that “nobody went within 5ft of it and kept giving it side eye”.
Last year, in a UK first, Morrisons also tested out Tally. Toby Pickard, Retail Futures Senior Partner at IGD, and a member of the judging panel for the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards, first brought this to RTIH’s attention.
In a LinkedIn post, he said: “I saw a Tally robot from Simbe in a Morrisons. This is the first time Tally has been deployed in the UK. It has only been in store for a few weeks, and there are two other stores trialling the technology. The tech should help with price accuracy and stock availability, along with other benefits. It is great to see technology being tested in UK retail that can help store associates and improve the shopping experience.”
Seamus McHugh, Head of European Market Development at Simbe, commented: “Delighted to have Tally live in the UK and to be working with the innovative team at Morrisons on this project. This is a significant milestone for Simbe as we add another country and a new retailer to our growing list of deployments.”
Walmart
Walmart’s immersive virtual shopping platform, Realm, has graduated from an off-site pilot to an on-site experience.
In a LinkedIn post, Justin Breton, Head of Partnerships, Content & Emerging Experiences at Walmart, said: “This evolution brings immersive commerce directly into the shopping journey, making the experience feel more familiar to shoppers while preserving the joy of discovery that made Walmart Realm unique from the start.”
Back to school season, he added, felt like the perfect moment to introduce it, helping customers explore dorm room inspiration from social trends while shopping products at everyday low prices. This season's rooms include: Dopamine Dorm - a little whimsy, a lot of personality; Game Zone - fully equipped for finals and fun; Holistic Haven - a cozy sanctuary all you you; Midnight Archive - BYOB (Bring Your Own Book); Canopy Cottage - fresh nature inspired style.
Each room also features Walmart+, including access to its streaming partners as a benefit. And for a limited time, college students can save 50% on membership.
Breton added: “We also partnered with Walmart Connect to spotlight must have back to school essentials, such as Tide PODS, in select rooms, creating even more opportunities for customers to discover products in context. Proud of the team for continuing to evolve how inspiration and commerce come together and for pushing us (and the industry) to create shopping experiences that are as engaging as they are useful.”
Lidl GB
Lidl GB is expanding its Lidl & Go self-scanning trial to 37 additional stores across the UK, following positive customer feedback from an initial seven store pilot. This will see the feature become available to shoppers across Scotland, the South East and the wider South of England throughout July.
Integrated within the Lidl Plus app, Lidl & Go allows customers to scan products as they shop, track their spending and savings in real-time, and complete their purchase more seamlessly at checkout. The feature is available directly through customers' own smartphones, with no requirement for dedicated in-store scanning devices. Feedback from the initial trial has shown particular appeal among customers shopping with children and those looking for greater flexibility during their shop.
Louise Weise, Chief Customer Officer, at Lidl GB, says: “The early response from the initial phase of Lidl & Go has been really encouraging. Customers are telling us they value the control and visibility it gives them over their spend, and the flexibility to shop at their own pace. This next wave of stores brings the feature to many more customers, and we’ll continue to take on board feedback to evolve the offering as we go.”
Sainsbury's
Sainsburys is to roll-out facial recognition software in over 150 stores before Christmas after a trial showed the technology stopped nine in ten repeat offenders from coming back.
The UK grocery giant currently has the AI powered system live in 55 locations in a partnership with Facewatch. Retailers upload reports of bad behaviour, such as shoplifting or violence, with moderators then reviewing camera footage and tagging suspects. When a flagged person enters a participating store, Facewatch pushes out an instant alert.
Despite Sainsbury’s stating that the trial has been a success, it hasn’t been all plain sailing. Earlier this year, a man was instructed to leave a Sainsbury's store in South East London without explanation, after staff incorrectly identified him as an offender flagged by the aforementioned technology. Facewatch later told him there were "no incidents or alerts associated with [him]" on its database, and Sainsbury's apologised for the "human error".
A Sainsbury's spokesperson said: "We have been in contact with the man to sincerely apologise for his experience in our Elephant and Castle store. This was not an issue with the facial recognition technology in use but a case of the wrong person being approached in-store."
They added nobody had been wrongly identified by Facewatch technology and this was the first instance of someone being wrongly approached by a store manager.
