RTIH rounds up the stand out retail technology deals, launches, deployments and pilots from the past seven days. Including DM, VusionGroup, Instacart, Louis Vuitton, The Quality Group, Goddiva, Nordstrom, Harmons, Simbe, EE, Tesco, and Nestlé.
DM
VusionGroup reports a new partnership with DM, a German drugstore retailer, to deploy its EdgeSense digital shelf platform.
Powered by IoT, data, computer vision, and AI technologies, EdgeSense supports DM in streamlining processes, with the aim of reducing operational complexity, and improving efficiency and the customer experience over time.
DM store associates will benefit from simplified daily tasks, including faster and more accurate product identification during order fulfillment, thanks to the roll-out. By leveraging intuitive shelf indicators such as LED guidance (pick-to-light), they can complete routine operations in less time.
EdgeSense also provides associates with instant access to detailed product information through digital labels and mobile devices interactions. Approximately 70 stores are planned in the current roll-out phase, with around 20 stores live to date, and additional deployments scheduled.
Ben's Soft Pretzels
Ben's Soft Pretzels has partnered with Square to power its nationwide operations across the US.
With Square's all in one restaurant platform, Ben's says it has transformed its customer engagement and operational efficiency - from loyalty programmes to back of house insights - giving its teams the tools needed to scale while maintaining the CX that started on an Amish homestead.
Founded in 2008 in Elkhart, Indiana, the company has grown from a single mall kiosk into a national presence with more than 185 locations across malls, Walmart stores, and sports venues nationwide.
After exploring various PoS solutions, the team turned to Square's ecosystem. Across its locations, Ben's Soft Pretzels taps Square's suite of commerce solutions, including Square for Franchises for multi-location management, Square Register for payments, Square Loyalty for customer engagement, Square Marketing for automated communications, Square Dashboard for workforce management and data analytics, and online ordering profiles for multi-channel ordering.
East of England Co-op
The East of England Co-op says it has invested over £600,000 in a project to replace all its existing self-checkouts (SCOs) across its Food store estate with new units from Trust Retail.
The SCOs were piloted in the retailer's Food store on Vernon Street in Ipswich, where, it says, the technology has already improved transaction efficiency and customer satisfaction.
The roll-out is being supported by software and IT company QCom and will standardise the East of England Co-op's self-checkout experience.
Beyond a more modern look and improved customer experience, Trust Retail's SCO solution has the potential to improve the retailer's shrinkage through in-built camera technology, as well as headset integration for colleagues and age verification technology, both to help reduce customer waiting times.
REWE Group and Circus
Circus SE reports the launch of Fresh & Smart, a new REWE Region West segment, powered by Circus' autonomous AI robotics system CA-1.
REWE Region West, the part of the REWE Group responsible for Western Germany, is among the global launch partners of the CA-1 Series 4.
The first Fresh & Smart location opens this week in Düsseldorf Heerdt, with the pair laying claim to the world's first integration of AI powered autonomous cooking robotics inside a supermarket. Additional locations are in the works and under construction.
Customers are promised restaurant quality meals prepared live and on-demand by Circus' CA-1 Series 4, the company's first serially produced autonomous cooking robot. Main dishes are available from €6 and accessible to all customers in-store.