Joachim Pinhammer

Together with Mondelēz International, Markant Group and its subsidiary Retail.ai developed the Product Wizard, which uses generative artificial intelligence to create channel- and target group-specific product descriptions. The solution won this year's GS1 Germany ECR Award in the Innovation Excellence category.

Hornbach has selected Blue Yonder for its new order management solution. With this, the operator of DIY and garden centres aims to offer its customers a seamless shopping experience across all channels.

Dutch Maxeda DIY Group has transformed key supply chain processes with demand planning and fulfilment solutions from Blue Yonder. The operator of DIY stores in the Benelux countries has thus created an unified demand and supply planning environment for its three sales banners Praxis, Brico and BricoPlanit.

Spar Austria has automated the entire goods receiving process at its reopened logistics centre in Graz with technology from Knapp. A fully automated pallet high-bay racking system optimises storage capacity at the site, which was expanded to 40,000 square metres over a two-year construction period.

Family Dollar deploys Dunnhumby's AI-based platform to optimise its category management. The US discounter wants to counter weakening sales with store-specific product ranges.

Primark is modernising the operations of its information technology to secure its growth plans. To this end, the fast-fashion retailer is expanding its collaboration with Indian service provider Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). Over the next five years, TCS will help to establish an agile IT operations landscape.

Spar Austria relies on smart technology from specialist for facility management automation Loxone. Following successful test operations and installations at a Eurospar store in Tyrol and a Spar outlet in Mundefing, the retailer is rolling out the system to all new stores built and reopened this year, as well as its head office in Salzburg.

At Home World charging park near German motorway A3 in the immediate vicinity of Wertheim Village outlet centre, a kitchen robot from start-up company Goodbytz serves food to customers. A self-service terminal from Smoothr works as the customer interface. The operating company with star chef Holger Stromberg is planning to roll out the concept further.

Aldi Süd is expanding its collaboration with Instacart in the USA. Customers can now also use the quick service provider's app in Aldi stores to make shopping easier. The software promises the discounter a uniform view of customer behaviour across online and offline channels. Click & Collect is also set to become easier and more efficient for employees.

Spanish grocery retail giant Alcampo, which belongs to Auchan, has opened its first Customer Fulfilment Centre (CFC) with automation solutions from Ocado. Around 1,000 robotic systems will help to prepare up to 70,000 customer orders from the greater Madrid area per week.