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Smart stores, trolleys and staff win big at EuroCIS

By Retail Technology | Wednesday February 28 2024 | UPDATED 31.12.24

EHI presents the 2024 Reta Awards for the best retail technology projects

The EHI Retail Institute has announced the winners of the European Retail Technology Awards for the 17th time. This week, the German retail research organisation hosted an award ceremony as part of EuroCIS 2024 in Düsseldorf. 

Three equally ranked prize winners accepted the awards in the following five categories: Best Customer Experience, Best Enterprise Solution, Best In-store Solution, Best Connected Retail Solution, and Best AI and Robotics Application.

Best Customer Experience

Eintracht Frankfurt (Supplier: Payfree)

The football club Eintracht Frankfurt has opened the first cashless fan shop of the German football league. The 30-square-metre shop opens whenever there is a match in Frankfurt and offers seamless paying by card or smartphone. RFID-tagged items pass through a U-shaped scanner at the checkout for a fast, contactless transaction.

Netto Marken-Discount (Supplier: Wanzl)

Netto Marken-Discount has introduced a new shopping trolley system that aligns with the cashless trend. Customers can unlock their shopping trolleys using an app and NFC technology, meaning conventional coins are no longer required. Netto's hybrid concept appeals to both digital-savvy and traditional customers. The retailer has launched the system in selected test stores in Bavaria.

Tegut (Supplier: Autonomo, Snabble)

Tegut is redefining grocery shopping in Germany with its smart store, Teo. It offers round-the-clock access to food in rural areas, busy locations, or urban neighbourhoods. The innovative approach includes Grab & Go and Tap & Go functions that meet today's customer needs. Teo is available in freestanding and indoor versions.

Best Enterprise Solution

Rewe Group (Supplier: Flip)

The Rewe Group has introduced a new app for retail employees that enables direct communication between store managers, store employees, and head offices all over Germany. The app is particularly beneficial for multi-shift work. The app also provides access to news and information, a learning platform, and digital shift plans, streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency.

Schwarz IT (Supplier: ThingsBoard)

With the IoT.Schwarz platform, Schwarz Group, is tackling the complexity of supermarkets' diverse technical equipment. Schwarz IT relies on the ThingsBoard platform to standardise technologies and use cases in over 13,000 supermarkets in 32 countries. Therefore, each store has customised, authorised access to its data.

Würth (Supplier: Würth IT)

Würth has developed the Pico voice and chat assistant to speed up key sales processes. The digital assistant enables user enquiries in real-time and provides information and documents by voice or chat. As a result, Pico can perform simple, repetitive tasks for sales representatives and office staff around the clock.

Best Instore Solution

Douglas (Supplier: Komsa Services, Samsung Electronics)

Douglas has introduced all-in-one smartphones and complementary software to improve its in-store processes. The integration of omnichannel services on the shop floor ensures seamless operations and allows the retailer to deliver out-of-stock items to customers' homes.

E-Center Warnow Park (Top Supplier: Captana)

E-Center Warnow Park, the largest Edeka outlet in northern Germany, has implemented user-friendly shelf camera solutions to improve operational efficiency. The system uses wireless cameras and sensors to capture real-time shelf data. The solution detects gaps on the shelves and prompts staff with tasks via the app for MDE devices.

Leroy Merlin (Top Supplier: Hanshow)

To help their customers navigate and find products in their large DIY stores, Leroy Merlin France sets out to bridge the gap between the digital and physical worlds. In addition to installing state-of-the-art electronic labels, the company implements features, such as up-to-the-minute pricing linked to their ecommerce site or customer reviews, to improve the shopping experience.

Best Connected Retail Solution

Benetton (Supplier: Cegid)

The Benetton Group has enhanced its in-store experience by implementing Cegid Retail, a cloud-native POS and unified commerce platform. The aim was to create a seamless omnichannel shopping journey. The Group deployed the solution globally to unify sales channels, optimise inventory and personalise brand interactions.

Edeka Südwest (Supplier: Liquam, Avenit, Blackforestbytes and Maexware Solutions)

Edeka Group in southwest Germany has developed a shop ecosystem that covers various multi-channel e-commerce operations for independent retailers. The system includes click-and-collect, merchant delivery, 24/7 stores, and drive-through and is designed to be modular and scalable. The aim is to streamline processes and ensure flexibility and efficiency across different e-commerce models for independent Edeka retailers, including seamless integration with enterprise resource planning.

Markant ( Supplier: adesso)

Markant has launched a European platform that serves as a central point of contact for bundling and managing the daily challenges of pre-suppliers, industry, service providers, and retailers across the entire value chain. The platform is open to industry, retailers, and service providers and offers a unified user interface that promotes efficiency, digitalisation, and bundling effects.

Best AI & Robotics Application

Colruyt (Supplier: Colruyt Group Smart Technics)

The Colruyt Lowest Prices store in Halle, Germany, has unveiled an innovative, easy checkout system that uses AI to scan products automatically as workers transfer them from one shopping cart to another. Developed by Smart Technics, the system aims to increase efficiency by up to a fifth and provide a more ergonomic experience for staff, who can now use both hands.

dm-Drogeriemarkt and dm TECH (Supplier: Ubica Robotics)

The autonomous shelf-scanning robots use advanced cameras and sensors to create accurate, efficient, and cost-effective digital store twins of the DM stores. These twins include planograms and stock information. For instance, automatic detection of out-of-stock items enhances the customer experience through better product availability and significantly reduces the need for manual inventory checks.

Kaufland (Supplier: BSS Bohnenberg)

Kaufland has introduced an automated picking system that prepares for (semi-)automated processes. The system uses pulling and pushing movements instead of lifting to move the crates and focuses on reducing employee workload, fast customer availability, reliability and scalability. Flexible in processing reusable crates and disposable cartons, it contributes to efficiency and practicality.

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