Björn Weber

Aldi Nord is introducing Relex for replenishment automation based on sales forecasts as well as shelf space optimisation. The discounter sees inventory optimisation as a central component of its modernisation, and is throwing out SAP's F&R engine, which was introduced only a few years ago. By discounter standards, Aldi Nord's plans to introduce electronic shelf price labels in all stores…

After Delivery Hero and Jokr, Flink has now also decided to optimise its goods processes with solutions from Finnish specialist Relex. The rapid delivery service wants to improve its inventory and shelf space along the entire flow of goods.

Aldi Nord wants to move its entire POS software to the cloud with GK Software and Microsoft. In the area of inventory optimisation, Aldi Nord relies on artificial intelligence.

The branded goods manufacturers Kraft Heinz and Hengstenberg, which in Germany merged their sales forces at the beginning of the year, are making their work more efficient with Trax. The cloud-based solution analyses shelf photos and rapidly provides a dashboard that visualises the optimisation potential in a sales location.

Aldi Süd has launched a just-walk-out store in London on a trial basis. The technology comes most likely from Californian specialist AiFi, with whom Aldi Süd has been testing for several months.

At two commuter stations in the greater Munich area, Deutsche Bahn is testing convenience vending machines from Glory with high-quality goods from Munich-based specialist Bite Delite. The stock is managed centrally taking the sell-by-dates into account. Commuters can reserve goods from a responsive website and pay in advance.

With touchscreen displays instead of Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL), the Latvian retail company Spirits&Wine brings online shop content to the shelves. And it earns money with it – the use of the displays is paid for by the suppliers of branded goods. Spirits&Wine owner Andris Lukins had the technology developed in his own start-up Vivid Tech – and is now…

Retail companies highly value the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in supply chain optimisation. But there are some hurdles. This is shown by a study conducted by EHI Retail Institute on behalf of retail software specialist Relex.

In Australia, Aldi Süd is testing automated recognition of products placed in shopping trolleys using technology from Israeli start-up Shopic. The solution, which eliminates the need for scanning at the checkout, is so exciting, that the company had also installed it for a short period of time in its innovations store near its headquarters in Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany.

Manufactum has brought the restaurant operations of its Brot&Butter outlets onto the same POS software as its retail business to provide its customers with an end-to-end shopping experience: GK Software now covers catering functions in its standard solution, enabling it to meet the requirements of retail restaurants.