Joachim Pinhammer

Tesco is testing potentials of the QR code powered by GS1. In a few stores in the south of England, the 2D code is replacing traditional barcodes for twelve own-brand product lines. The retailer reports initial successes in waste reduction, replenishment planning and customer satisfaction.

Following a successful test phase, Alnatura has begun rolling out self-checkouts. The operator of organic supermarkets opted for Space Pole kiosks from Ergonomic Solutions, which are customised to its requirements and integrate the existing NCR POS systems.

Morrisons is rolling out AI-supported workforce management software from Yoobic to all its stores. The British supermarket operator wishes to increase efficiency and profitability of its outlets and counteract cost increases.

H&M is testing the potentials of AI-generated advertising. The fast-fashion retailer is using technology from Swedish provider Uncut to create digital twins of initially 30 models for future campaigns. They retain full control over the use of their doppelgangers.

Coca-Cola HBC plans to open 15 scanless micro-stores in Hungary within three years using technology from Kende Retail. The Coca-Cola bottler with headquartes in Switzerland opened the first of its autonomous convenience stores at the headquarters of telephone provider Yettel near Budapest.

Carrefour is expanding tests of its micro-store concept called BuyBye in Belgium. For the first time, customers at a Carrefour hypermarket can shop 24/7 using smart vending machines from specialist Reckon.ai. At its Auderghem site near Brussels, the company wants to measure profitability of the solution.

Möbel Heinrich is expanding its digital customer communication of its store in Steinheim, Westphalia, with digital shelf labels from VusionGroup. Integration partner for the project is LN-Consult. Via digital POS advertising platform Prestige from Online Software, the electronic labels have been integrated with merchandise management system from SHD.

Deichmann is digitalising procurement on Ivalua's Unified Spend Management platform. The family business, based in the German city of Essen, wishes to optimise and automate processes and improve collaboration with suppliers.

Metro has implemented the CMS from Austrian start-up Storyblok for its online presence. The system makes it easy to edit websites even without programming knowledge and generates personalised content using AI. The wholesale company reports a 12 per cent increased click through rate.

Toom Baumarkt has opted for price optimisation software from Revionics. With the AI-based solution, DIY banner operation of Rewe Group wants to improve price perception and thus promote customer loyalty and growth.