Here's why Co-op is feeling a bit Peckish: check out 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 Dassault Systèmes, Apple, Lekkerland SE, Reckon.ai, Walmart, ULAC, M&S, State Farm Arena, AiFi, Verizon, OnBuy, Superdry, and Helios Artificial Intelligence.
TheFork
TheFork, an online restaurant booking platform, is among the first companies to join as an early research preview contributor for OpenAI’s Operator, an AI agent designed to go to the web and independently perform a variety of tasks for users, including restaurant bookings.
Diners in the UK can now leverage OpenAI’s Operator to automate bookings, receive personalised dining recommendations, and manage reservations on TheFork. Additionally, special offers available at restaurants will automatically be applied.
“With OpenAI’s Operator, we’re harnessing the best of AI powered efficiency and personalisation to learn more about how agents can enhance every aspect of the dining experience.” says Almir Ambeskovic, CEO at TheFork. “AI has already proven to be a strategic enabler for improving our dining experience, and this is just one of many steps forward in bringing our innovative vision to life, making TheFork even more valuable to our diners.”
Dassault Systèmes and Apple
Dassault Systèmes reports that 3D UNIV+RSES powered by the 3DEXPERIENCE platform will leverage spatial computing for virtual twins, with the new 3DLive visionOS app, available this summer.
The company has partnered with Apple to integrate Apple Vision Pro into the aforementioned platform.
With 3DLive, virtual twins created on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform will be able to leap off the screen and into a user’s physical space, enabling real-time visualisation and team collaboration in lifelike environments. Apple Vision Pro’s cameras, sensors and tracking also allow virtual twins to interact with the physical world around them in 3D UNIV+RSES.
“Our engineering collaboration with Apple represents a bold advance that reveals the power of 3D UNIV+RSES, where 3D is a universal language for a new world combining real and virtual,” says Elisa Prisner, Executive Vice President – Corporate Strategy & Platform Transformation, Dassault Systèmes.
“This is at the core of our next generation of representation of the world. The wide and growing adoption of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform by our clients makes this cooperation a unique value for our gigantic, highly diversified customer base, seeing the high potential of 3D UNIV+RSES to collaborate and train our next generation AI-based experiences on their own virtual twin data set.”
Lekkerland SE
Reckon.ai reports the launch of a REWE To Go smart store at Hospital Eduardus in Cologne, Germany.
In a LinkedIn post, Ana Pinto, CEO at Reckon.ai, said: "We thrilled to bring our AI powered technology to the healthcare environment 24/7, in partnership with Lekkerland SE (part of REWE Group). Stay tuned, we will publish new of another store - sooner than you expect!"
This closely follows on from REWE To Go and Lekkerland SE launching an autonomous store at Koblenz Central train station, Germany, also powered by AI smart cabinets in partnership with Reckon.ai.
Kyndryl and The Very Group
Kyndryl, an IT infrastructure services provider, has announced the launch of a new technology hub in Liverpool that will support the digital transformation of UK and global customers. It says it will create up to 1,000 software engineering and AI related jobs over the next three years.
The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Peter Kyle, says: “Kyndryl’s new technology hub in Liverpool is a clear example of how AI is already driving economic growth, delivering our plan for change by putting AI to work for communities across the country. This investment is a resounding vote of confidence in our world leading AI sector and the new blueprint for the technology we’re delivering.”
Led by Kyndryl Consult, the hub will include a Kyndryl Vital Studio. Thus will offer a designer led, open and collaborative co-creation experience that will allow customers to tackle complex and real-world business challenges. Kyndryl Consult’s advisory services will help businesses adopt and implement AI, software and platform engineering solutions and other emerging technologies.
As part of the opening, Kyndryl is expanding its partnership with The Very Group, the Liverpool-based operator of digital retailers Very and Littlewoods, through a new multi-year agreement designed to enhance and accelerate its end-to-end digital capabilities. Kyndryl will provide software and platform engineering support, helping The Very Group launch new products at speed and enhance the digital customer experience.
GoWish
Social shopping platform GoWish has passed the ten million user mark, thanks to a Snapchat partnership which resulted in 4.7 million downloads.
This was among various focus points in Evan Spiegel’s Q4 earnings call for Snap Inc.
“Our recent expansion of 7-0 Optimisation to app install and in-app purchase is driving better performance for advertisers. For example, GoWish, a global digital wishlist platform, leveraged 7-0 app install and in-app purchase, which resulted in a 70% decrease in cost-per-install and an increase of over 3,000% in app installs in just 12 weeks, outperforming other large digital platforms," he said.
“Our collaboration with Snapchat has been a game-changer for GoWish. The platform’s unique targeting capabilities and engaged audience have allowed us to scale efficiently while keeping acquisition costs low. Seeing such impressive performance - outpacing Meta and driving millions of downloads - has reinforced our confidence in Snap as a key growth partner," says Casper Ravn-Sørensen, CEO at GoWish.
Co-op
UK convenience specialist Co-op has announced the launch of a new rapid delivery grocery app, Peckish, which, in what is claimed to be a grocery retail first, offers a service to independent retailers looking to serve their customers and communities online.
Peckish will enable small, often family owned, independent grocery businesses, shops and other co-operative retail societies to provide an online grocery shopping and delivery service to their local customers.
The app overcomes barriers that independent retailers face when moving to sell online, including cost, scale and resource, allowing smaller scale bricks and mortar retailers to have a presence online and enabling more consumers to quickly and conveniently shop local and support their high street stores.
Co-op is making an initial £1 million investment for year one on Peckish, following a 30 store trial last year, and is targeting a first year sign up of over 1,000 stores, with potential to treble that by year three.
Shoppers can use Peckish to choose their shop from the range of products the individual retailer has selected to put online. Retailers select the price - enabling them to match in-store prices and can choose whether to deliver the online orders themselves, or for it to be managed through Co-op’s order management system and delivered locally through its delivery partners including Just Eat and Uber Direct in as little as under 30 minutes.
Peckish will link with a retailer’s EPoS system, saving manual tasks such as pricing and stock control and management. Retailers who sign up will also receive a range of support including data, trends and insight from Co-op’s quick commerce team, Point of Sale material, window stickers, leaflets, shelf talkers, digital and social media assets, posters and banners.
Deckers Brands
Legion Technologies is working with Deckers Brands, parent company of UGG, Koolaburra, HOKA, Teva, and AHNU, to better align the retailer’s workforce management with the evolving needs of its business.
By promoting data driven decision-making, automating key administrative tasks, and enabling flexible scheduling, the Legion WFM Platform is designed to enable Deckers Brands to improve its labour operations while simultaneously boosting employee satisfaction across its retail locations worldwide.
It supports efforts to streamline workforce compliance by helping managers navigate local requirements and jurisdiction specific scheduling insights.
The solution, built on the Legion AI framework, supports more than 70 workforce management use cases, including scheduling, demand forecasting, compliance, and frontline communications.
Walmart
Walmart Unlimited, a new, gamified mini-series, made its debut this week, 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 introduces characters inspired by Walmart’s real-life suppliers, including A Dozen Cousins founder Ibraheem Basir.
It’s 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.
Walmart has also been testing out Roblox and this week it announced its fifth No Boundaries drop on Zepeto, featuring ten new virtual items, inspired by the Spring No Boundaries collection.
As with previous drops, the real-world versions of these items are shoppable without leaving the Korean metaverse platform. Every purchase includes a free virtual twin of the item.
ULAC
United Legwear & Apparel Co. (ULAC) is adopting Worldly's Product Impact Calculator - a product that enables apparel and consumer goods companies to calculate their supply chain greenhouse gas emissions in minutes.
“We are excited to partner with Worldly and leverage the Product Impact Calculator to advance our sustainability strategy,” says Christopher Volpe, COO/CFO at ULAC. “This innovative product not only helps us measure and track our GHG emissions more efficiently, saving us time and resources, but also empowers us to make informed decisions that drive real environmental progress.”
Marks and Spencer
M&S customers can now use its new Wine Finder tool powered by AI technology to help them select the right bottle of vino for their palate.
Available online for more than 500 stores and on Point of Sale marketing in 20 Foodhalls, this asks a few quick questions about personal preferences before offering tailored recommendations of wines ranged in the chosen store.
The retailer is trialling the tool to help customers shop a category that it says can be confusing. Research, conducted on behalf of M&S, found that nearly a quarter of shoppers spend more than ten minutes deliberating in the wine aisle.
The tool is supported by the M&S Food digital catalogue, which provides customers with live stock information across its more than 1,000 stores. Available through its app, millions of customers are using the digital catalogue to better plan their shop as M&S aims to become more of a shopping list retailer.
Customers can see what’s in stock at their local store and add items to a digital shopping list. The Wine Finder can access the catalogue to make personalised recommendations which are stocked in the relevant store for customers.
The technology is powered by Preferabli and it’s the first time it’s being integrated by a grocery retailer in the UK.
State Farm Arena
AiFi reports a collaboration with Verizon and the Atlanta Hawks to power the newly added Hawks Express Cashierless Checkout store at State Farm Arena.
Located on the 100 West main concourse, and operational beginning today, this uses AiFi’s computer vision led autonomous retail solution powered by spatial intelligence. The store also taps Verizon’s 5G Edge technology.
Customers enter the store, select their food and beverage items, and exit, with purchases automatically processed through their mobile payment method.
“Our collaboration with Verizon and the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena showcases how autonomous retail and seamless entry solutions can transform stadium environments. By leveraging cutting-edge technology with spatial intelligence, we are enabling faster, frictionless transactions that redefine convenience for fans while optimizing venue operations,” says Steve Carlin, CEO at AiFi.
As part of a larger technology initiative, State Farm Arena has also installed Delta Fly-Through Lanes powered by Verizon at Gates 1, 2, 3, and 7 and deployed Verizon Sensor Insights in the arena’s technical hub.
"State Farm Arena is always exploring new digital solutions to enhance the experience for both our fans and staff," says Kim Rometo, Chief Technology & Innovations Officer at the Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena. “We are excited to see how the integration of Verizon 5G Edge and AiFi’s technology at the Hawks Express store will make an impact on checkout efficiency and customer satisfaction.”
Walmart (again)
Walmart has announced its fifth No Boundaries drop on Zepeto, featuring ten new virtual items, inspired by the Spring No Boundaries collection.
As with previous drops, the real-world versions of these items are shoppable without leaving the Korean metaverse platform. Every purchase includes a free virtual twin of the item.
In a LinkedIn post, Justin Breton, Head of Brand Marketing Innovation at Walmart, said: “If you’re going to activate on an emerging platform: Do it right, by listening to the community; Do it well, by testing, learning, and optimising; Do it often, with consistent, fresh updates.”
“That’s exactly how we’ve approached our No Boundaries activations on Zepeto. And today, we’re marking a milestone: our fifth drop, featuring ten new virtual items, all inspired by our Spring No Boundaries collection. Why are these items just tops? Because that’s what the community asked for. And we listened to them.”
He added: “To make this drop even more engaging, we’ve also added a new photobooth backdrop, giving users more ways to create and share their No Boundaries looks. We believe the future of fashion is community driven, immersive, and borderless. And we’re just getting started.”
OnBuy
UK-based online marketplace OnBuy says that artificial Intelligence has helped shift its business from losing £1 million per month to delivering approaching £20 million gross profit in the last 12 months.
The announcement comes after a record breaking year, which saw over £150 million worth of sales through the platform.
The company, which launched in 20216 and spends over £100,000 a year on AI, estimates that the technology has saved the business up to 25 years in development time and tens of millions of pounds of costs.
Cas Paton, CEO and Founder at OnBuy, says: “Becoming an AI driven business has enabled us to scale further and faster than many thought possible. Without AI, it may have taken decades for us to achieve our current position competing with established global retail platforms. The increased competition our platform is providing is good news for sellers and consumers alike.”
Superdry
Superdry has hosted an AI Lunch & Learn session at its HQ, led by the retailer's Technology Director, Dafydd Moore, where it introduced colleagues to what AI truly means for humans, society, and the business.
In a LinkedIn post, Superdry said: "We explored the world of artificial intelligence - its impact on the economy and retail, and how we, at Superdry can leverage it to shape our future."
"Why is this important for Superdry? Technology is a strategic enabler in achieving our business goals. It is essential for us to stay informed and embrace change to adapt, evolve, and thrive in a technology driven retail landscape."
Key takeaways from the session as follows:
We cannot slow down technology, but we can learn how to utilise it effectively.
AI may seem intimidating, and concerns like "What about my job?" are common. However, remember that AI is not conscious - we are.
Humans will always play a crucial role. Developing a growth mindset is vital for thinking differently about our future.
NAF NAF
French fashion retailer NAF NAF is deploying Rnv.ai technology to improve stock optimisation processes across its stores in France, Italy, Spain and Belgium.
The aim here is to boost operational efficiency and also transform critical areas like inventory management, product management, and demand planning with the use of AI.
In a LinkedIn post, Rnv.ai said: "We're delivering data driven solutions across NAF NAF's stores worldwide, ensuring faster, more accurate, and more sustainable operations at every step. As we take this bold step forward, we’re not just shaping a more efficient retail future in France, Spain, Italy, and Belgium, but across the globe.”
"It’s an honour and a great source of excitement to support NAF NAF in its global growth and digital transformation journey. Together we’re taking big strides toward a more transparent, efficient, and sustainable retail future."
Walmart (again!)
Helios Artificial Intelligence, a specialist in supply chain resilience for the agri-food industry, has been named a winner of Walmart's 11th Annual Open Call and has signed a deal to provide its climate risk and price forecasting software for the US retail giant.
“Walmart is leading the way when it comes to leveraging artificial intelligence to strengthen its supply chain,” says Francisco Martin-Rayo, Co-founder and CEO at Helios. “Our winning the open call is not only a great testament to our technology, but also proof that there are urgent needs from procurement teams to climate proof their supply chains - especially those at the most globalised levels."
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