News

Walmart announced an investment of some six billion US-Dollars (5.3 billion Euros) over several years to further automate its supply chain, leveraging the technology of US-based robotics specialist Symbotic. The deal aims to improve upstream inventory management for e-commerce operations.

Marks & Spencer is rolling out electronic shelf labels (ESLs) and Vusion’s Connected Store platform in several new stores. The solution is intended to support store operations and serve as the technical basis for future digital features.

Last week, Amazon launched a new, own same-day delivery service for perishable food products in Frankfurt am Main, Cologne and Munich. The online retailer is integrating fresh groceries into its same-day product range and is delivering it alongside non-food items. Products from Markant’s private label range Hofgut are offered by Amazon with its new same-day grocery delivery service in Germany.

Kroger is seeing initial success with its ‘The Connected Store’ digitalisation initiative and aims to press ahead further. The company has reported this at its Analyst and Investor Day conference at the end of October. By introducing RFID for bakery products, the US supermarket operator has been able to speed up stock-taking by 70 per cent and halve the amount…

Danish retailer Salling Group is testing humanoid robots to automate shelf replenishment at its Føtex supermarket banner operation. The multi-year trial, which began in June, is taking place in Lyngby, north of Copenhagen. The robots are supplied by Chinese manufacturer Unitree, while Danish start-up Hive Robots develops ...

Vusion has completed the acquisition of In-Store Media (ISM). The relevant authorities have approved the transaction and all other conditions have been met. Carrefour is one of the key joint retail clients: both providers are already working extensively for the group and can now integrate in-store digitalisation and retail media marketing more closely.

Instacart announced this week that it is discontinuing development of its Caper Cart smart trolley. All systems rolled out to date – several thousand, according to the manufacturer – are set to be phased out of the stores by end of March 2027. The US technology provider intends to shift its investment in brick-and-mortar retail solutions from hardware to software.…

Etam Group is replacing its current online shop platform with the solution from Commercetools. The banner operations Etam, Maison 123 and Undiz will use a shared technical platform while retaining the freedom to independently develop their digital offerings. At Etam, Commercetools is set to manage key digital retail processes.

Globus Markthallen has appointed Björn Winterhalter as Managing Director of IT. The computer science graduate will take up the position on 1 April 2027 at the latest, succeeding Jens Berger, who has left the retail company. Björn Winterhalter is currently still Head of IT at Tegut. The Fulda-based grocery retailer is currently in liquidation, with its stores being divided amongst…

Schwarz Digits is trialling a rail installed on the store ceiling in a Lidl store in England, which combines shop lighting with camera technology. The so-called Camera Rail is manufactured by Pyramid Computer.