Latest news with #retailInnovation
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Sainsbury's is testing a huge change to shelf labels – and shoppers will be divided
SAINSBURY'S is the latest supermarket to test a major change to shelf labels in stores - but it will leave shoppers divided. One of the UK's biggest supermarkets is trialling electronic shelf labels in a small number of branches. 1 The retailer installed the tech at three of its larger shops late last year and has been trying it out across different sections including alcohol, health and general merchandise. Sainsbury's has partnered with Harrison Retail to build the shelf fixings featuring the labels. A branch in Witney, Oxfordshire, is understood to be one of the three locations where the tech is being trialled. A spokesperson for Sainsbury's said: "We are trialling electronic shelf-edge labels in a small number of our stores." Sainsbury's shoppers are bound to be left divided over the new electronic tags though. Fears have been raised digital labels could lead to "surge pricing", which sees prices hiked when products are more in demand. The labels can make it harder for shoppers to spot cut-price items too, as they're not as visible as the paper yellow, orange or red stickers. Sainsbury's joins a host of other supermarkets trialling electronic shelf labels in stores. Co-op is replacing paper product tags with electronic labels throughout its whole estate over the coming months. The retailer said last month it had already made the change in 340 branches but would roll out the tags more widely. SAVE AT SAINSBURY'S It said 1,500 stores will have the labels by the end of this year and rolled out across all its nearly 2,400 shops by the end of 2026. Lidl also said it would roll out the digital labels across all its stores before the end of 2024. This came after a successful trial at 35 branches. Asda is testing the digital labels at a Manchester shop. WHAT ARE ELECTRONIC PRICE LABELS Electronic pricing labels are not easy to spot and look almost identical to the traditional paper labels which have existed in stores for centuries. They feature everything a shopper would expect to see on a label such as cost, weight and unit price. The only difference is that the information is displayed on screens instead of a paper label. Usually, they are connected to a wireless network that allows for prices to be updated in real-time - instead of it being done manually by a store clerk. Supermarkets say the technology will help cut down on waste and help with efficiency in stores. OTHER SAINSBURY'S NEWS Sainsbury's exclusively revealed to The Sun last month it had closed all remaining patisserie, hot food and pizza counters. It is not clear when the pizza counters shut while is understood the patisserie and hot food counters closed in April. The closures come as part of a wide-ranging update of Sainsbury's' store estate which also saw 61 in-store cafes shut on April 11. The cafe spaces are being replaced with restaurants run by franchises such as Starbucks and Gourmet Burger Kitchen. The supermarket said its hybrid cafe and food halls were becoming popular among shoppers. Sainsbury's first announced the store overhaul in January, as it revealed 3,000 head office staff would also lose their jobs in a senior team shake-up. At the time, chief executive Simon Roberts said the changes would "ensure we continue to drive forward our momentum". .
The Verge
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The Verge
Wing and Walmart are bringing drone delivery to 100 new stores
Wing, the drone company owned by Alphabet, and Walmart are expanding their delivery partnership to five new cities in the US, the companies announced today. Customers who shop at Walmart stores in Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando, and Tampa will soon have the ability to request a drone deliver their online shopping orders. Walmart and Wing currently offer drone delivery at approximately 15 stores in northwest Arkansas and Dallas-Fort Worth. Today's announcement will bring an additional 100 stores into the fold. 'As we look ahead, drone delivery will remain a key part of our commitment to redefining retail,' said Greg Cathey, SVP, Walmart U.S. Transformation and Innovation, in a statement. 'We're pushing the boundaries of convenience to better serve our customers, making shopping faster and easier than ever before.' Walmart has been working with a number of drone operators, but it seems to be most happy with its partnership with Wing. Since launching drone delivery in 2021, Walmart says it has completed more than 150,000 deliveries — sometimes within 30 minutes of the order being placed. There are a few restrictions: Customers must live within six miles of a store under FAA rules governing drone operations 'beyond the visual line of sight.' An order needs to be under a certain weight to qualify for drone delivery, but Walmart says that covers everything from groceries to health and wellness products to household goods. Wing's flagship drone is designed to handle payloads of up to 2.5 pounds, while its newer models can handle up to five pounds. The company says that it has enough battery power to complete 12 miles round trip while cruising at a top speed of 65 mph. The drones use tethers and grappling hooks to pick up and drop off small bags and cardboard boxes on customers' front lawns. Wing says it has completed over 450,000 residential deliveries since its inception in 2012. Wing also conducts drone deliveries for DoorDash in Dallas and Charlotte, North Carolina. Wing is also thinking about other ways to improve the efficiency of its delivery network. It created a system that enables its drones to dynamically take pickup and delivery jobs back to back without needing to report back to an originating base. This system includes the use of Autoloader stations, which are installed at retailers' parking lots for employees to load a prepared order when ready. When a drone is available, it can lower a rope to grab it without anyone waiting around. Drone delivery companies claim that by shifting more deliveries to small electric multi-rotor aircraft, fewer polluting trucks will be needed for last-mile deliveries. It's a similar pitch being made by sidewalk robot companies delivering takeout orders to residents of Los Angeles and other cities.
Zawya
03-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Shoprite's Usave stores boosts energy efficiency, food quality with smart tech
Usave, Shoprite Group's no-frills discount stores, recently introduced an advanced loss prevention system designed to reduce costs and boost operational efficiency in its supermarkets - helping the retailer to continue delivering the lowest prices to customers. This is in response to South Africa's rising energy prices. Implemented in partnership with 100% South African tech company Azoteq, the customised system employs SmartSense technology to track power consumption and facilitate rotational switching of store equipment during power outages, utilising inverters and battery banks. It is especially critical for Usave's rural and peri-urban stores, where the electricity supply is often erratic and extended outages are a regular challenge. 'This pioneering work showcases how our real-time, proactive use of innovative, locally developed technology, combined with a strong focus on operational excellence and cost savings, helps us prevent unnecessary waste and reduce shrinkage-related costs - efficiencies that allow us to pass even more value and savings directly to our customers,' says Dewaldo Diedericks, general manager of Usave. The system monitors temperatures in critical areas, like cold storage, freezer rooms, and the sales floor, and issues alerts when predetermined thresholds are surpassed, thereby preventing spoilage and optimising energy consumption of equipment in these areas. Data is delivered through a user-friendly dashboard that equips management with real-time insights to enhance decision-making, ensure improved food quality, and prevent costly equipment failures. Generator runtime and fuel levels are also tracked, enabling the business to follow more efficient servicing and refueling schedules. In this way, Usave avoids unnecessary maintenance, further reduces costs, and minimises the likelihood of unexpected outages in instances where a switchover to a generator is necessitated. To generate additional savings, Usave supermarkets also regularly simulate power outages at supermarkets on time-of-use (ToU) tariff structures, switching over to battery during peak times when electricity is more costly, and charging the batteries during off-peak times. 'We have been able to respond and prevent freezer failures as they occur, achieving a 0% rate of stock loss across all stores where this system has been implemented to date. In addition, the seamless, automated transition from generator power to hybrid inverter and battery power during outages has saved the business more than 80,000 hours worth of costly services and fossil fuel consumption,' adds Diedericks. Already running at 202 locations, Usave plans to equip all its stores with SmartSense technology, gradually replacing older uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems. As part of its sustainability efforts, the discount retailer is also gradually incorporating solar energy into its operational strategy at its already compatible hybrid system stores
Khaleej Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
GCC retail sector set to hit $390b by 2028, fuelled by digital innovation
The GCC retail industry is on track to reach $390 billion by 2028, propelled by digital transformation, evolving consumer preferences, and strategic government initiatives. Once anchored in traditional brick-and-mortar models, the sector is now a dynamic driver of economic diversification, technological advancement, and consumer-centric growth, positioning the GCC as a global retail innovator, according to a recent report by Logic Consulting. The retail landscape in the GCC is undergoing a profound shift, with 87 per cent of consumers embracing a 'phygital' blend of online and offline purchasing channels, says the report titled 'Revolutionising Retail: Unveiling GCC's Five-Year Transformation'. Shoppers, increasingly digitally fluent and time-sensitive, demand seamless, personalised experiences. This evolution is reshaping retail into a cornerstone of national development, spurring investment in logistics, real estate, and tourism. 'Retail is no longer just transactional; it's a catalyst for economic ecosystems,' noted Haitham Rabie, a lead analyst at Logic Consulting. The GCC's retail market is divided into food and non-food segments, each exhibiting robust growth. Food retail, valued at $127.2 billion in 2023, is projected to reach $162 billion by 2028, driven by urbanisation and changing dietary habits. Non-food retail, encompassing luxury goods, electronics, and fashion, is growing faster with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2 per cent, expected to hit $243.6 billion by 2028. Saudi Arabia and the UAE dominate, accounting for over 75 per cent of regional retail sales, a share set to expand further. Digital innovation is at the heart of this transformation. The rise of quick commerce — ultra-fast delivery within 30 minutes — is redefining consumer access to essentials. Digital-first platforms like Noon and are challenging traditional giants such as Carrefour and Lulu, which are integrating artificial intelligence (AI), live inventory tracking, and omnichannel logistics to stay competitive. AI-driven personalisation and predictive analytics are enhancing e-commerce, creating tailored shopping journeys that resonate with tech-savvy consumers. Physical retail is also evolving. The GCC is expected to add nearly four million square metres of retail space by 2028, but the focus is shifting beyond scale to experiential shopping. Augmented reality try-ons, interactive store designs, and micro-fulfillment centers are becoming standard, blending physical and digital realms. 'Retailers aren't just selling products; they're curating immersive journeys,' Rabie emphasised. A notable trend is the rise of value-driven and sustainable retail. While luxury remains a stronghold, private labels and budget-friendly chains are gaining traction among the growing middle class and price-conscious shoppers. Concurrently, over 50 per cent of GCC consumers now prioritise eco-friendly brands, pushing retailers to adopt sustainable practices. For instance, UAE-based retailer Majid Al Futtaim reported in 2024 that 60 per cent of its customers favored brands with clear environmental commitments, reflecting a regional shift toward purpose-driven consumption. To thrive, retailers must adapt strategically. Logic Consulting outlines five imperatives: crafting a unique selling proposition in a crowded digital market, embracing lean operations and data-driven supply chains, preparing for market consolidation, forging innovative partnerships, and tailoring offerings to local dynamics. These strategies are critical as the GCC retail sector navigates intense competition and rapid technological change. The GCC's retail boom is bolstered by government initiatives, such as Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and the UAE's Projects of the 50, which promote private investment and economic diversification. With a young, affluent, and tech-savvy population — over 60 per cent of the GCC's 56 million residents are under 30 — the region is emerging as a global retail hub. 'The GCC isn't just following global trends; it's shaping them,' Rabie said. As the sector reinvents itself, its trajectory will define the region's post-oil economic future, setting a benchmark for innovation and growth.
