Smart stores, gourmet burgers, and festive greetings: our biggest retail technology articles on LinkedIn
We’re big fans of LinkedIn and are busy building an amazing community of retail tech enthusiasts on the social media platform. As we close in on the 20,000 followers mark, these are the articles that are currently on their radars, including VusionGroup, Walmart, Hanshow, Puma, Sitoo, StrongPoint, Smashie, Diebold Nixdorf, and the RTIH AI in Retail Awards.
VusionGroup snags deal to expand its digital retail technology solutions across all Walmart U.S. stores
VusionGroup has inked a contract extension to accelerate the deployment of its solutions across the entire Walmart U.S. 4,600-store fleet.
‘’We are pleased with the results of the programme roll-out this year and are looking forward to further expanding to more stores. Digital shelf labels have been a game-changer and simplifies the daily activities of our store teams, while providing a better shopping experience for our customers,” says Greg Cathey, SVP, Transformation & Innovation at Walmart U.S.
The EdgeSense and VusionCloud solutions designed by VusionGroup were integrated into Walmart stores to enable increased associate productivity, simplified stock replenishment and faster online order picking.
With a launch of the programme in almost 500 stores, Walmart U.S. is now accelerating the pace of installations and is ready for deployment across its fleet.
Retail technology innovation of the week: AI powered smart stores, train stations, and fast moving urban life
Retail Technology Innovation of the Week is a series brought to you by RTIH, and sponsored by 3D Cloud, highlighting stand out deployments, launches, and initiatives by retailers and tech suppliers.
Every week, we will showcase forward thinking tech plays that have impressed our Editor and the Retail Technology Innovations Report judging panel, alongside the publication of the 2024 report.
And this week we’re focusing on REWE To Go and Lekkerland SE who have launched an autonomous store at Koblenz Central train station, Germany.
This is powered by AI smart cabinets in partnership with Reckon.ai. The 65 sqm store is open 24/7. People can scan their card to enter and then a cashless means of payment at the payment terminal on a smart fridge, and take their items.
Weight sensors and computer vision cameras record which products have been removed. The amount due is automatically debited from the chosen payment method. In addition, there is the option of selecting products at smart vending machines with touch displays and then receiving them via an output compartment.
This is used in particular for tobacco and alcoholic products. Age verification by scanning an identity card or driver's licence ensures compliance with youth protection regulations.
Industry big hitters StrongPoint and VusionGroup shake hands on retail technology partnership
StrongPoint, a retail technology provider, reports an international, multifaceted partnership with VusionGroup, a specialist in digitalisation solutions for physical commerce.
This will see VusionGroup integrate StrongPoint’s end-to-end e-commerce platform into its Retail IoT Cloud platform, making it available to retailers internationally. Additionally, the latter will serve as a value added reseller of the former’s retail technology solutions, starting from 28th June 2025.
“This partnership is an incredible opportunity for StrongPoint to bring its e-commerce solutions to an international stage, reaching regions far beyond our core markets. For StrongPoint, as a VusionGroup partner, it will allow us to offer our current and future customers across our nine markets an even broader range of in-store digital retail technologies. This is truly a milestone moment in the history of StrongPoint,” says Jacob Tveraabak, CEO at StrongPoint.
Puma partners with Point of Sale and unified commerce specialist Sitoo and wraps UK stores roll-out
Puma has chosen Sitoo to power its stores globally and enable the provision of a unified shopping experience to customers.
The sports brand says that the move will bring all its stores together with one seamless global solution, with the aim of simplifying processes, integrating physical and digital commerce, and enabling store associates to provide the best possible customer service.
“Before choosing Sitoo, we conducted a comprehensive review of all available solutions in the market,” says Baris Bölükbasi, Senior Director Global Retail at Puma Group. “After an extensive evaluation, we concluded that Sitoo was the best choice for us. The roll-out in our UK stores has already delivered good results, confirming that Sitoo is the right partner to help us achieve our goals.”
“We are thrilled to partner with Puma, one of the most iconic and biggest brands in the world,” says Jens Levin, CEO and Co-Founder at Sitoo.
“This partnership and the trust it has placed in us, is a testament to the strength of our solution. We look forward to working together to shape the future of retail and create exceptional experiences for Puma’s customers around the globe.”
RTIH AI in Retail Awards celebrates technology innovation amid a digital transformation revolution
RTIH, organiser of the industry leading RTIH Innovation Awards, proudly brings you the first edition of the RTIH AI in Retail Awards, which is now open for entries.
As we witness a digital transformation revolution across all channels, AI tools are reshaping the omnichannel game, from personalising customer experiences to optimising inventory, uncovering insights into consumer behaviour, and enhancing the human element of retailers' businesses.
As AI sees increasing adoption in the retail space, our newly launched awards celebrate global technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world and the resulting benefits for retailers, shoppers and employees.
Our 2025 winners will be those companies who not only recognise the potential of AI, but also make it usable in everyday work - resulting in more efficiency and innovation in all areas.
Winners will be announced at an evening event at The Barbican in Central London on Thursday, 3rd July. This will kick off with a drinks reception in the stunning Conservatory, followed by a three course meal, and awards ceremony in the Garden Room.
Ecity Electronics deploys Hanshow ESL solutions and cloud management platform across Dubai stores
Ecity Electronics, a subsidiary of Albatha Group, has teamed up with Hanshow and Emitt Technologies to bring Nebular Pro electronic shelf labels (ESLs) to its Dubai locations.
By adopting Hanshow's ESL solutions and cloud management platform, it says it is taking significant strides to: streamline pricing processes; enhance omnichannel mobile store operations; support sustainability by reducing - and aiming to eliminate - paper labels.
Gourmet burger specialist Smashie rolls out Diebold Nixdorf self-service solutions at latest restaurant in Udine, Italy
Leveraging the DN Series EASY ONE, customers can select, order and pay for their gourmet burgers in a fully self-service mode at the counter, reducing waiting times and enhancing overall service efficiency.
Lorenza Sbarbaro, Director Southern Europe Retail at Diebold Nixdorf, says: “The integration of Diebold Nixdorf's self-service solutions at Smashie’s Udine restaurant underscores our commitment to delivering a seamless and modern customer experience.”
“The DN Series EASY ONE is tailored to meet the specific demands of the restaurant industry, emphasising speed, simplicity and autonomy for both staff and customers. We are proud to support Smashie’s innovative vision and help redefine consumer interaction in fast food dining.”
A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the team at Retail Technology Innovation Hub
We hope the year has been good to you.
We’re pleased to say that Retail Technology Innovation Hub had a very successful 2024, with highlights including the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards.
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