Ten retail technology investments that should be on your radar
These companies are leading the way in providing innovative retail systems powered customer experiences, including Shop.com, Majid Al Futtaim, Asda, Amazon, Glovo and wilko.
1. Shop.com
US-based e-commerce platform Shop.com is getting into the cryptocurrency payments game.
The company, which is owned by Market America, has partnered with BitPay, enabling it to accept payments in several cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Dogecoin, Ethereum and Litecoin, as well as five USD pegged stablecoins.
The BitPay integration is available in all the countries where Market America operates, which includes the US, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, UK, Singapore and Malaysia.
2. Majid Al Futtaim
Majid Al Futtaim, which owns and operates shopping malls, retail, and leisure establishments in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, has announced the launch of checkout free store, Carrefour City+.
A first for Carrefour worldwide and opening this week in Mall of the Emirates, this taps AiFi powered artificial intelligence technology.
Store access and shopping payment is enabled via the MAF Carrefour app. Once inside Carrefour City+, every item picked up by customers is automatically added to a digital shopping basket and the purchase is completed by walking out.
3. Amazon
Amazon’s biometric scanner for retail, the Amazon One palm reader, is for the first time expanding beyond the e-commerce giant’s own stores.
“As we approach the first anniversary of the launch of Amazon One later this month, I’m excited to share that it’s now available as an option to enter Denver, Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre,” says Dilip Kumar, Vice President, Physical Retail and Technology.
“Amazon One will be offered by Amazon at the venue, where AXS, a leading digital ticketing company, will deploy standalone ticketing pedestals including Amazon One.”
“This means, upon enrolling their AXS Mobile ID with Amazon One, fans now have the option to simply scan their palm to enter concerts and events much faster and easier than before.”
4. Belcorp
Belcorp, a beauty company which is home to the ésika, L’Bel and Cyzone brands, has deployed Perfect Corp.’s artificial intelligence and augmented reality powered virtual try-on technology.
Belcorp plans to integrate this across Latin America, and has already launched the tech in Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, and Panama.
5. Walmart
Walmart has worked with Argo AI and Ford to launch an autonomous vehicle delivery service in Austin, Miami and Washington D.C.
This will use Ford self-driving test vehicles equipped with the Argo AI Self-Driving System to deliver Walmart orders to customers.
The service will be available within defined service areas of the three markets and will expand over time, with initial integration testing slated to begin later this year.
6. Asda
Asda is testing out a new loyalty app called Asda Rewards for staff at 16 of its stores in the West Midlands and West Yorkshire.
7. Giant Eagle
US retailer Giant Eagle is working with Grabango on the installation of autonomous shopping technology at four more of its GetGo Cafe+Market convenience stores in the Pittsburgh area.
This builds on its initial deployment of Grabango's tech at a single GetGo location last year.
8. Oh Polly
Fashion brand Oh Polly has signed up to InPost’s QR code-based Instant Returns service.
This was launched earlier in the year.
There is no need for online shoppers to print a label at home when returning items, or at the drop off point. Instead, they scan their QR code at an InPost locker and hand the parcel over.
Missguided, New Look and schuh have also added Instant Returns to their online offerings.
9. wilko
wilko, a British high street chain which sells homewares and household goods, has announced a £3 million investment in UK autonomous delivery company, StreetDrone.
The investment, which is part of a wider multi-million-pound pre-Series A round, will enable StreetDrone to accelerate the development of its delivery vehicle and systems.
The plan is to bring autonomous deliveries to Wilko consumers by the end of 2023.
10. Glovo
Spanish on-demand delivery venture, Glovo, has reached an agreement to acquire grocery companies Lola Market and Mercadão.
Lola Market operates in Spain while Mercadão is exclusive to Portugal. Between them, they have a portfolio of over 30 partners across the two countries.
Glovo says that the acquisitions complement its growth strategy and strengthen its Q-Commerce division following the recent deal to buy Delivery Hero’s businesses in Eastern Europe and the €100 million partnership with Swiss-based real estate firm, Stoneweg.
