News

Walmart is rolling out an AI-based out-of-stocks prevention system from Focal Systems in Canada. The US-based start-up's solution analyses camera images to alert employees to existing or imminent out-of-stock situations.

Since the beginning of August, Jan Stroh, owner of butchery shops in the German federal state of Saarland, has been operating an unmanned food vending machine with his start-up called Friedas24. The solution was developed by Kirschenhofer Maschinen GmbH and is offered to retailers under the name VPS Roberta. The concept is intended to close gaps in rural local supply.…

GS1 Germany is testing the opportunities of its new 2D code Digital Link together with start-up Jake's Beverages. The QR code printed on the packaging offers consumers access to product information and transparency for participants in the supply chain.

This week, Edeka Südwest opened a combination of its Italophile deli concept Sapori d'Italia with a fully automated 24/7 store in Offenburg. Knapp robotics picks everyday items in the back of the vending area and makes them available to customers at a counter.

Rewe is the first German grocery retail company sending leaflets via WhatsApp. Nationwide, customers can receive special offers of their favourite Rewe store every Sunday via the messenger. Meta business partner 360dialog has delivered the technical implementation.

The market for self-checkout systems is growing by 11 percent worldwide, according to market research company RBR. Biggest growth driver is the Asia-Pacific region. NCR remains the undisputed market leader, but Chinese vendors are catching up.

Spar International signs partnership agreement with VisionR. The Irish start-up is to bring its AI-based customer insights solution to Spar retailers in 48 countries.

Family Mart is equipping 300 stores with Telexistence robots to restock refrigerated shelves with drinks. This is expected to reduce workload by 20 percent.