Retail Technology News: September update
Walmart expanded automation in its supply chain in September.
Retailers in September 2024 focused technology efforts in areas including supply chain automation, metaverse shopping and gamification.
Here are some of the most noteworthy and innovative technology stories as reported by Chain Store Age in September, starting with the most recent.
- Walmart automating two regional distribution centers Walmart Inc. is continuing efforts to equip its entire regional distribution center network with robotics and software automation. The discount giant plans to install high-tech automaton from artificial intelligence-based supply chain technology company Symbiotic LLC in two of its regional distribution centers (RDCs).
- Puma, Meta to launch metaverse shopping experience in fall 2024 Puma customers will soon be able to immersively shop via the Meta Quest virtual reality headset. In the viewfinder of their Quest device, customers will be able to swipe through a visual assortment of Puma apparel and footwear products, with the ability to click virtual buttons to perform activities such as adding an item to their basket, seeing more product details or getting advice on how to wear it.
- Amazon expands AI capabilities for third-party sellers Amazon is providing a wide range of new AI-based solutions that will assist sellers participating in its online marketplace perform tasks across the enterprise. These include the the beta of a generative AI-powered personal assistant for sellers code-named Project Amelia, as well as expanding how sellers can use the Buy with Prime service and fully launching Supply Chain by Amazon, an end-to-end automated set of supply chain services.
- ShopRite parent expands inventory robots to more stores Grocery co-op Wakefern Food Corp. is bringing automated shelf-scanning robots to more locations of its ShopRite banner. ShopRite is expanding its implementation of Tally robots that autonomously roam store aisles up to three times per day, leveraging computer vision technology to scan products to ensure they are in-stock, in the correct location, and accurately priced on the sales floor.
- JCPenney integrates user-generated content into e-commerce site JCPenney is in a new partnership to collect and distribute visual user-generated content on its website’s product display pages. The department store retailer has joined the Bazaarvoice Visual Syndication Network to find and post visual content from its customers, such as photos and videos, with its online product imagery.
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- Checkers and Rally’s gamifies rewards program Checkers and Rally’s is renewing its implementation of the Mobivity Connected Rewards solution, following a significant increase in rewards engagement and redemption rates, especially among customers who had not interacted with the brand for more than 90 days. The retailer utilizes the solution to link offers and rewards to mobile game downloads and gameplay.
- Levi’s provides new mobile tool to in-store stylists Levi Strauss & Co. is helping stylists in its stores provide personalized customer service with a mobile app. The denim brand is rolling out the BackPocket app, a mobile solution for in-store stylists designed to provide real-time information and a 360-degree view of the shopper across all channels. This enables stylists to stay present with shoppers while offering personalized recommendations and fashion advice.
- In-game shopping on Roblox takes big step forward with Shopify integration Roblox has named Shopify as its first commerce integration partner. The gaming platform will soon pilot Shopify’s checkout feature, enabling developers, creators and brands on Shopify to sell physical items directly within their Roblox games without ever leaving the Roblox platform.
- Family Dollar using AI for customer-driven merchandising Family Dollar is leveraging artificial intelligence to enable customer-centric category management. The discount retailer will deploy the dunnhumby AI-based category management and merchandising collaboration platform across its entire network of stores. As a result, Family Dollar intends to make faster, more informed and more customer-centric decisions in collaboration with its CPG partners.
- Target integrates curbside and in-store order pickup services with Apple CarPlay Target Corp. is streamlining online order pickup for customers with iPhones. The discount giant is the first retailer to enable customers to navigate to a store for a curbside or in-store pickup using Apple CarPlay, which enables a user to control an app via their car radio.
