Joachim Pinhammer

German retailers see the greatest need for action in the use of mobile devices with checkout functions as well as self-checkouts and self-scanning systems. This is the result of EHI’s study POS Systems 2022. Overall, the number of cash registers used in retail is continuously decreasing. At the same time, systems are faced with growing tasks.

Russian grocery chain Vkusvill is testing unattended shopping at a convenience store in Moscow. Items are tracked using computer vision and AI from Moscow-based start-up Neurus.

Shoppers at all Flying Tiger Copenhagen stores in the UK will be able to scan and pay via Mishipay app. The Danish non-food discounter had already successfully tested self-scanning with customers’ smartphone at its 30 outlets in Denmark, Sweden and Norway.

7-Eleven is piloting virtual touch screens for self-checkouts at six locations in Tokyo. The first retail application of the novel technology from specialist Asukanet has been implemented by Toshiba Tec.

In its E-Center Gundelfingen, the Edeka regional co-operative Südwest is piloting intelligent shopping trolleys from Kaufungen-based start-up KBST. The retailer is currently testing customer acceptance with 20 of the systems called Smart Shopper.

US grocer Kroger is expanding its home delivery test operation with self-driving vehicles in Houston, Texas. For this, it will use the latest generation of electric, driverless vehicles from specialist Nuro.

JD.com has opened its first physical retail outlets in Europe. At initially two automated pick-up stations in the Netherlands, members of the retailer’s new warehouse club, dubbed Ochama, can pick up their online purchases on the same day.

Netto Marken-Discount pilots its new Pick&Go concept with Trigo technology in Munich. This makes the Edeka subsidiary the first German discounter to test autonomous shopping in live operation.

Coop Danmark is integrating shelf planning and automated replenishment with the `Living Retail Platform' of Finnish supplier Relex. In the medium term, the company intends to plan assortments and product placements individually at store level, Lebensmittel Zeitung reports.

Penny is gradually rolling out Scan & Go with the technology from Shopreme to all its 2,150 discount stores in Germany. Customers can already conveniently use self-scanning and payment via smartphone at 160 locations.