Digital Retail Innovations 2015

Sponsored by
#digitalinnovation
2015
Glynn Davis Retailinsider.com
Profiling digitally-driven innovation in retail

page two
Contents
WELCOME MESSAGE page three
INTRODUCTION page four
ADVISORY PANEL page five
METHODOLOGY page six
INNOVATION RANKINGS:
Top 50 UK and Ireland innovations page seven
Top 20 most innovative page seventeen
Top 20 most potentially commercially page eighteen
Top 20 most potentially influential across the sector page nineteen
Top 20 most potentially beneficial to consumers page twenty
Top 10 International innovations page twenty one

2015
Welcome to the annual Retail Insider Digital Retail Innovations report that
is back for the second year – bigger and hopefully better than the inaugural
production in 2014.
The aim is still the same – to highlight some of the more interesting
developments taking place in the retail sector that have been driven by that all
pervasive thing we call digital.
The difference this time is that we’ve expanded the number of UK & Ireland
innovations from 45 to 50 (while keeping the overseas list to 10 innovations),
which we hope makes the report a little more representative of what is
happening in this exciting part of the retail industry.
This year’s report further highlights how much of an impact digital technology
is having on the sector. There is virtually no part of retail that is not being
impacted by the ongoing march of digital. Whether it is the front-end or back-
end the ramifications are huge.
Such is the fast moving nature of this part of the market that compiling the
list is always going to involve plenty of art – along with a dash of science.
The reality is that, however robust the methodology (and we like ours), it is
impossible to have visibility on all innovations out there.
Despite the tough task we are pleased that this year’s report brings you 60
smart innovations that are being fully implemented by retailers, being piloted, or
at the very least involved in trials that could see a roll-out shortly.
As well as highlighting well known innovations the report also aims to throw
the spotlight on some lesser known initiatives that could potentially make a big
impact on the industry.
A vital ingredient in the creation of this report is the Advisory Panel who helped
rank the innovations in order. For their time and skilled efforts I would like to
express my gratitude and thanks.
Finally I would also like to thank Webloyalty for their continued sponsorship of
this report and for helping it grow in confidence this second year. As an annual
production it is hoped it will highlight how the industry is continuing to evolve as
digital innovations drive change and mark progress.
GLYNN DAVIS
RetailInsider.com
@GlynnDavis
As well as
highlighting
well known
innovations
the report also
aims to throw
the spotlight
on some
lesser known
initiatives
that could
potentially
make a big
impact on the
industry.
GLYNN DAVIS

page four
Building on the success of the 2014 report, this year’s Retail Insider
Digital Retail Innovations report offers an increased number of diverse
innovations from the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The changing commercial environment, new technologies and demand
from customers requires a constant response from retailers, and
therefore innovation lies at the heart of successful retail. And we’re on the
right track. This year’s expanded report focusing on the United Kingdom
and Ireland is a reflection of the large volume of top quality digital
innovation going on, right on our doorstep.
I’ll let you read ahead and find out which innovations came out on top this
year, but I can promise that there are some great examples of new and
novel digital solutions spanning the full spectrum of the customer journey,
including ordering, payment, product interaction, fulfilment and returns.
While wide-ranging, this year’s leading innovations exhibit the best in
the shift from traditional ‘bricks and mortar’ retailing, towards highly
customisable user journeys and outcomes.
The nature of innovation is that there will typically be very few solutions
that carry on from one report to the next – it depends if they have
been developed further. There are only four such examples this year –
Starbucks pay-ahead and delivery; Volvo roaming delivery; B&Q Spaces
virtual room designing; and Asda 3D printing. But what we did not expect
this year was the total disappearance of last year’s winner Google Glass,
which has effectively been scrapped by Google.
It is excellent to see such a top group of industry experts on the advisory
panel again in 2015. This year’s line-up of innovations was an impressive
and diverse one, and I’d like to thank the 12 panellists for taking the time
to draw from their experience and carefully consider how to rank them.
Finally, I’m grateful to Glynn Davis and Retail Insider for having Webloyalty
back for a second year as sole sponsor. It’s a great initiative to be
associated with and last year it generated an impressive amount of
interest – and not just from our retail clients and contacts but also from
people in the travel and leisure industry, and consumers generally.
We look forward to joining the discussion that we hope and anticipate this
year’s report will bring.
GUY CHISWICK
Managing Director, Webloyalty Northern Europe
@Webloyalty_Guy
2015
This year’s
leading
innovations
exhibit the best
in the shift
from traditional
‘bricks and
mortar’
retailing,
towards highly
customisable
user journeys
and outcomes.
GUY CHISWICK

PETER WILLIAMS – Chairman, Boohoo.com
Chairman of two online retailers – UK-based
boohoo.com and German business Mister Spex –
as well as a non-executive director at Rightmove;
Cineworld Group; Sportech; and a trustee of the
Design Council. During his executive career he
was chief executive at both Selfridges and Alpha
Airports. He has also served on the boards of Asos,
Jaeger, Blacks Leisure Group, JJB Sports, EMI Group,
Silverstone, OfficeTeam, Erno Laszlo, Capital Radio
and GCap Media.
JOHN BOVILL – IT and e-Commerce
Director, Monsoon Accessorize
Joined Monsoon Accessorize in July 2013 as a
member of the operational board, with responsibility
for the full e-commerce P&L as well as the digital and
technology strategy. Previously worked at Jacques
Vert Group as Commercial Director and prior to that
he spent a number of years at Aurora Fashions,
assuming three roles during his tenure – supply
controller, business development director and group
IT director.
MARTIN NEWMAN – CEO, Practicology
Has been involved with multi-channel retail for more
than 25 years – presently at strategic consultancy
Practicology, which he founded. This followed a
variety of roles that included head of e-commerce
for both Burberry and Ted Baker, interim director
of e-commerce for Pentland Brands, and head of
marketing for Harrods’ home shopping division.
He is also a non-executive director of Conviviality
Retail and sits on the advisory board of Wiggle.
CRAIG SMITH – Director, REPL Digital
Joined REPL less than a year ago bringing
expertise to its digital activities following two
years as programme manager at M&S.com. He had
responsibility for leading the digital transformation
in-store at M&S. Previously worked with several large
multi-channel retailers including Tesco, Sainsbury’s
and Michaels Stores in the US. Also runs the popular
retail innovation website www.Retail-innovation.com.
PAUL WILKINSON – Head of Technology
Research, Tesco Labs
Has the job of finding the best technology in
the market to make life easier – both for Tesco
customers and colleagues. His remit is to help people
experience the future today as technology changes
the way they shop. This involves dealing with the
likes of Microsoft and Google as well as start-ups and
then bringing back ideas to Tesco and figuring out
how to make them work for the company.
GEOFF SCULLY – Managing Director,
Shop Direct Ireland
Appointed managing director of Shop Direct Ireland in
2005 after previously working with wholesale /retail
business Sixty UK as country manager UK/Ireland for
a number of fashion brands within the group’s broad
portfolio. Prior to this he was sales manager for Pepe
Jeans Ireland and worked as a buyer at Arnotts Dept
store in Dublin. He also advises start up businesses
in Ireland and is currently chairman of Picstash.
DANIEL LUCHT – Global Research Director,
Research Farm
Leads a team of analysts and consultants, with a
remit that includes developing strategic content and
new revenue streams, as well as corporate planning.
Daniel has over a decade of experience analysing the
sector and identifying latest industry trends, working
with FMCG companies and retailers such as Tesco,
Nestle and Disney.
SIMON HARROW – CEO, Elevaate
Presently CEO of technology platform Elevaate as
well as being an investor at digital investment and
business incubator Haatch. Prior to this he was chief
operating officer at Kiddicare and held senior digital
roles within Morrison’s after they acquired Kiddicare
in 2011. He has also sat on global, European and UK
advisory boards for a number of companies including
IBM Coremetrics, and Oracle Endeca.
JOE TARRAGANO – Director, Transform UK
Leads the retail practice at management consultancy
Transform, working with a number of major retailers
including Argos, Homebase, Tesco and Debenhams
on their digital transformations and how they embed
innovation and customer-centred thinking into their
businesses. He joined Transform two years ago from
eBay, where for six years he ran the retail business.
ELISA CECILLI – Head of Strategic Insights,
Portland Design
Heads up the strategic insights unit at international
retail design and strategy consultancy Portland.
Formerly innovation researcher at GDR Creative
Intelligence and prior to that she worked at the
Canada Research Chair on the socio-economic
challenges of the Knowledge Economy of
Téluq-UQAM University in Montreal. At Portland
she has worked on projects for a number of
international clients including Wolford, Kit Kat,
IKEA Shopping Centres Russia, LS Travel Retail,
HMSHost, Blender, Hamburg Airport, Munich Airport,
TFL and British Land.
SKY FERNANDES – Managing Director,
Simon Venture Group
Presently heads up Simon Venture Group, the
corporate venture capital arm of Simon in the US.
The firm invests in the future innovation of retail that
includes in-store retail technology and e-commerce
as well as logistics, data analytics, and the Internet
of Things. He was previously partner at Centripetal
Capital Partners, a multi-stage venture capital fund.
He is also an active angel investor and has a blog,
One Match Ventures, where he shares key insights
and entrepreneur resources.
RICHARD GOODALL – IT Consultant
Currently an independent consultant to retail
technology suppliers, he has worked as a ‘corporate’
sales and marketing director for the past 18 years
with The PCMS Group from 2008 and prior to that
Retail Business Solutions and RTC. While at these
firms he has worked with retailers, especially around
their use of in-store technologies. Present focus is on
working with a number of suppliers to UK and US high
street retailers as well as private equity companies.
The Advisory Panel

page six
The Methodology
Following consultation with a broad range
of individuals across the retail industry –
encompassing analysts, senior retailers,
researchers, and IT specialists – a long list of
digitally-driven innovations was drawn up.
During this process, and deliberations with some individuals on the Advisory Panel,
this list was reduced down to 50 innovations from the UK and Ireland and an
additional 10 from overseas.
Each innovation on the list was then scored privately by members of the Advisory
Panel on four criteria – how innovative, how potentially commercial, potential
influence across the sector, and potential benefit to consumers.
Collation of these scores helped create four tables, based on each of the criteria, as
well as a table for the all-important overall score.
The final report contains a separate Top 20 table for each of these four criteria as
well as a Top 50 for the overall score. In addition there is a Top 10 table for the overall
score attributed to the overseas innovations.

Top 50 UK and Ireland Innovations
INNOVATIONRANKINGS
Doddle
Located at a growing number of train stations Doddle shops are a solution to that
ongoing last-mile problem. They act as collection points for goods ordered online that
shoppers can visit on their way home from work or at lunchtime. Retailers sign up to
the service and shoppers can select the Doddle option for fulfilment. The company
is retro-fitting changing rooms into a number of its shops that enable the trying on of
clothes and provide an immediate returns route back to retailers for unwanted goods.
Starbucks pay-ahead and delivery
The coffee company has been developing its mobile strategy and building on the fact
that more than 10% of transactions now go through digital devices. It had developed
an app to enable the pre-ordering of food and drink and more recently has been testing
an extension to this with a pay-ahead option. Taking things even further Starbucks has
also been planning the launch of a delivery service for orders taken on its app, which it
believes could increase frequency of purchases and generate up-selling opportunities.
Waitrose Hiku home scanning
The grocery chain has been trialling the Hiku device among employees, which enables
them to scan barcodes at home on products and have them automatically added
to their online shopping baskets. They can also talk to the device through voice
recognition software as an alternative way of adding products. The Hiku app on
customers’ smart-phones can also be used to scan products to add to their basket.
Rapid Q pre-ordering
The app was piloted during the RBS Six Nations tournament and allowed supporters
at the Ireland games to pre-order food and drinks at the Aviva Stadium. Once the app
was downloaded food and drink could be ordered for before the game, at half time,
and post-match and payment could be made via their phones. For collection of the
goods a code on their phone is simply shown to the food and drink vendor. The app
was created in conjunction with Compass Ireland and is available on iPhone and
Android platforms.
Amazon Dash
Automating the shopping service even further, Amazon has released ‘Dash’ for
customers of its Prime service. It is simply a button that is branded to an everyday
FMCG item that they then press and which immediately orders the product from
the retailer. They are then delivered the next day. It is ideally suited to goods like
coffee capsules and toilet rolls that are ordered often and can easily be forgotten.
This simple, seamless way of buying goods is yet another way that Amazon is tying
customers to its Prime service – especially for those frequently-ordered goods. No
doubt it will be learning a lot from the early users of Dash buttons.
1
732
Position and
score out
of 960
2
710
3
695
4
680
5
673

INNOVATION RANKINGS
Tictail / Uber delivery
Tictail, the website provider to small independent retailers, teamed up with taxi firm
Uber to run a trial in Stockholm that enabled all merchants to offer one-hour delivery
options using Uber drivers and their cars at no cost to customers. This empowering
of small players resulted in them enjoying a 500% increase in sales. The service was
well suited to Tictail’s retail clients as they are predominantly made up of sellers of low
volume, high value items such as boutique fashion and jewellery.
Amazon / Audi
parcel-to-vehicle delivery
Further pushing the boundaries of fulfilment and extending the reach of its Prime
service, Amazon has been trialling the delivery of goods to shopper’s cars. Amazon
customers indicate the rough location of their vehicle and preferred delivery time and
a DHL operative is then given the exact location of the car via a smart-phone app.
They then use a one-time keyless access to the boot of the car and the customer is
emailed notification of a successful delivery having been made.
Volvo roaming delivery service
Car maker Volvo was the first company to pilot what it described as a ‘roaming
delivery’ service whereby drivers can have online-ordered goods delivered to their cars
by courier companies. The delivery firms use digital keys to lock and unlock cars for
a controlled period of time. The success of the pilot has led to discussions in Russia,
Africa and the US with distributors - who are the vital ingredient and will determine
whether it has a future or not. It forms part of a raft of initiatives at Volvo with its
XC90 connected platform providing digital connectivity around the car, driver and
the environment.
Like to Know
The influence of fashion bloggers has grown significantly and the creation of Like to
Know can enhance the relationship they have with retailers. When the bloggers use
the solution in their posts it allows Instagram users to buy items shown in Instagram
photos by simply liking the image. They then receive an email detailing how they can
buy the item from the retailer. The blogger receives a commission on every item sold
via the relationship.
Hunkemöller / Kega
proximity marketing
The lingerie retailer has been trialling Beacon technology for proximity marketing and
linking its online and store channels. For shoppers that have downloaded the app,
when they walk past a store the digital displays in the window reflect what they have
in their online basket. On entering the store the Beacons trigger offers to their phone
related to these saved products and a sales assistant is alerted to their presence and
the goods that they are potentially interested in buying. When the customer next uses
the retailer’s online store the experience can be tailored to what they were looking at in
the physical store.
Position and
score out
of 960
page eight
6
673
7
670
8
668
9
667
10
665

L’Oreal Makeup Genius app
The app lets customers see how they look when wearing products that are
not actually on their faces. Shoppers have initially been able to try on more
than 300 cosmetics – including lip liner and lipstick - using the front-facing
camera of their smart-phones. Different looks are available including those of
well-known celebrities. As the phone is moved around the light will affect the
colour in order to give a realistic interpretation of what the make-up would look
like on the face. Over 250,000 downloads were made in the first two months
of the app being initially launched in the US and France.
DPD Pickup
Following on from the success of its Follow My Parcel service last year DPD continues
to innovate in the delivery space with the creation of the Pickup click & collect initiative
that enables goods to be bought from one retailer and picked up by the customer at
another’s store. Halfords is among the first retailers to sign up to the programme that
DPD hopes will lead to 2,500 stores involved thereby providing a national network. As
well as proving to be convenient for shoppers the idea is that it will drive footfall from
people collecting their orders.
Pizza Hut / Tobii Technology
mind-reading menu
The pizza chain is rolling out a digital ‘Subconscious Menu’ that reads customer’s
minds in order to prepare their order. By tracking eye movements when customers
are presented with different ingredient options on a tablet device it takes just
2.5 seconds for the technology to collect the relevant data to determine their
ideal order. The system has a 98% success rate but diners can still over-ride the
recommendation and select manually.
Sainsbury’s shop-and-go app
The grocer is bringing mobile shopping into the store with it scan-and-go app that
enables shoppers to scan barcodes of items at home and add them to their shopping
lists. Once in-store the Sainsbury’s Wi-Fi points out where the required items are
located in-store. By scanning the codes on these items as they are physically added
to the shopper’s basket it is possible for the customer to make payments instantly
via their mobile and a photo of their payment card. A receipt is then sent directly to
their phone. The roll-out of the solution will depend on the success of a single-store
trial in London.
Tesco mobile payments
The grocer has been trialling mobile payments at 10 stores, which would have
enormous ramifications for the way people pay for goods if the company takes the
decision to roll the solution out to all its stores. At the pilot outlets customers with the
Tesco app can pay for their goods on their phones and have their Clubcard account
automatically updated. For shoppers using the self-service tills this new ability to pay
for the goods by mobile phone delivers a real frictionless shopping experience.
11
665
12
653
13
653
14
647
15
641

INNOVATION RANKINGS
Farfetch click & collect
Online fashion retailer Farfetch has further empowered boutique owners around the
world with the launch of a click & collect service across 100 independent fashion
retailers that sell their goods on the Farfetch platform. The service enables goods to
be ordered online from one retailer and for them to then be collected by the customer
from another merchant anywhere in the world. The initiative further extends the
presence of these smaller stores around the globe and drives increased footfall.
DHL drones
Amazon grabbed all the media headlines when it revealed its plans for using drones to
make deliveries but it is DHL that has been making some the most progress recently.
It announced it was operating a regular service using an autonomous ‘quadcopter’
to deliver small parcels to a German Island 12 km into the North Sea. Islanders
place orders at the pharmacy store for the regular flights. Although the flight is fully
automated it is being constantly monitored at this stage in the development of this
innovative mode of delivery.
House of Fraser / Qudini
With the rise of click & collect and smart-phone adoption, queue management has
now moved into the digital world. House of Fraser and Debenhams are two retailers
that have adopted Qudini, which effectively replaces the old paper ticket queuing
systems. Customers check-in and receive updates directly to their mobile phones
indicating when their click & collect parcel is ready for collection. This empowers the
customer and has led to uplifts in sales as shoppers spend their time browsing and
buying rather than physically waiting in a line.
Clarks iPad foot gauge
Clarks has delivered a simple but effective tablet solution that helps create a fun
experience for children in its stores. The gauge measures the length of a child’s foot
and this determines what shoes are best suited to them. The selected items are then
displayed on the iPad. The solution has led to a significant increase in fitting speeds
and a rise in the number of fitting appointments.
Metail virtual fitting room
Metail has sought to solve the issue over sizing when consumers buy goods
online by enabling them to create a model of themselves online from a number of
measurements they provide. Using this model – Metail claims it is 94-96% accurate
– it is possible to try on clothes online and for outfits to be created with confidence.
House of Holland used the platform for its Spring/Summer collection. This enabled
shoppers to virtually try on the clothes, and pre-order the items as they were
showcased on the catwalk.
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16
628
17
623
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622
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621
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619

Argos / eReceipts
Argos rolled out eReceipts across all of its stores in the UK and Ireland after a
successful trial, which enables customers to choose emailed receipts that can be
safely stored and accessed when required – such as when goods are returned and
when warranties need extending. The retailer is also using the solution to enhance
communication with customers as it is an effective platform to deliver relevant offers
and highlight complementary goods. Tying it into its CRM systems provides Argos
with a powerful engagement capability.
Busaba Eathai / MyCheck app
Restaurant chain Busaba Eathai has driven significant increases in visits from repeat
customers as a result of introducing the MyCheck app. Customers can check-in,
receive relevant offers, make a payment and leave the restaurant without waiting for
the bill. The app also includes a loyalty component that includes ‘gamification’, which
provides the mechanic for incentives to be distributed such as free dishes. Around
40% of app users are repeat diners who contribute 67% of daily transactions. During
the six months to January repeat visits grew at a rate of 6.9% per month.
Very image recognition app
The first transactional shopping app from Shop Direct involves its Very brand and
uses image recognition technology to enable customers to take photos of clothes they
like and to then search for similar items across the brand’s product range. Customers
can also use the app to track their orders, query their balance, as well as pay for goods
when they are on the move. Initially launched as an iOS solution it will also be made
available on Android.
John Lewis 3D sofas
John Lewis extended its ‘Any Shape, Any Fabric’ sofa service from photos and
swatches to 3D printing and RFID tags. The customer chooses a shape that has
been 3D printed and has a RFID tag that throws up an image of the sofa on a screen.
Different colour fabrics can be placed on this image by using swatches that also have
RFID tags attached. A myriad of shapes and fabrics can be easily viewed via this
solution that cleverly mixes digital with physical. There are clearly opportunities to
extend this into other bulky big ticket categories.
Topman personal shopping hangouts
Topman has extended its in-store personal shopping service at its Oxford Street
flagship into the digital world through a partnership with Google+ that enables
customers to book a time-slot for a video-chat shopping consultation. They select
specific clothes ahead of the chat and the sales assistant then describes the items
and makes suggestions and recommendations in real-time, interactively online. There
is no minimum-spend required and free express delivery is offered on all orders.
21
616
22
616
23
612
24
596
25
588

INNOVATION RANKINGS
page twelve
Mothercare / yReceipts
Mothercare is among a number of retailers using the digital receipts technology
from yReceipts that enables it to offer electronic receipts to its customers that contain
social media information, real-time feedback features, as well as digital marketing
content. The solution enables retailers to connect their physical shopping data
with e-commerce information and to better tailor the multi-channel experience to
individual customers.
B&Q ‘Spaces’ virtual room designing
The solution initially enabled 3D kitchen design to be undertaken in-store and at
home via the B&Q website and this year it has been extended to bedroom and
bathroom designing. It allows customers to design, order the relevant materials or
items, have them delivered, and get them all fitted. The entire B&Q product catalogue
has been recreated using CGI so items will all scale automatically to the room layout
and viewing angle. There is also a running total of the overall cost of the room as it is
being designed.
Asos / Apple Watch
First out of the blocks as usual in using new platforms, Asos has developed an app
for the Apple watch. Not all its pioneering initiatives have worked including selling
through Facebook but as a way to notify customers of imminent Asos deliveries the
watch app could prove beneficial. The opportunity is also there for recommendations
to be flashed-up on the device. Others experimenting with such solutions include
Ocado, which launched the world’s first Apple Watch app for grocery shopping,
and Vente Privee.
Argos 3D printed jewellery
Argos has been trialling a jewellery collection that can be customised and 3D printed.
The website of items priced between £50 and £220 includes cufflinks and earrings
that can incorporate the customer’s own personal touches. The 3D printers then
create the products that are despatched to the customer’s home. This is another
Argos digital initiative that is exploring the way shoppers interact with the retailer
across channels.
Asda / Eagle Eye digital coupon
Manual reconciliation of paper vouchers has long been a headache for retailers.
To end this inefficient activity Asda has teamed up with Eagle Eye (and its till
provider Toshiba) to digitise the process. This involves Asda using Eagle Eye
software to digitally count and reconcile own brand and supplier-brand coupons
at the Point-of-Sale across the retailer’s estate. It improves fraud prevention and
operational efficiency. The partnership will also involve the real-time issuance
and redemption of coupons and vouchers for Asda-specific campaigns.
Position and
score out
of 960
26
582
27
580
28
579
29
578
30
575

House of Fraser / Caffé Nero
A clever tie-up between two high street operators involves House of Fraser introducing
a click & collect service into a Caffé Nero branch in Cambridge whereby the ground
floor is largely a coffee bar with tablet devices showcasing the HoF offer. On the
first floor there are HoF branded till points for customer collection, product displays,
terminals for buying in-store and a fitting room. Such a collaborative initiative works
especially well in a city like Cambridge where HoF does not have a store.
Thomas Cook / Samsung VR headset
Customers at Thomas Cook stores in the UK, Germany and Belgium can experience
360 degree content of a variety of holiday destinations to give them a flavour of what
they have to offer. Effectively the solution is letting customers try-before-they-buy via
cutting edge technology, it is a great way of bringing experiences into physical stores
that cannot presently be achieved in shoppers’ homes.
Waitrose digital store
The company has continued to develop its digital store concept, with the latest
incarnation – a Food & Home format in Salisbury – featuring dedicated collection
points for items bought on the Waitrose and John Lewis websites and changing
rooms whereby shoppers can try on their ordered goods before they leave the shop.
There are also a number of tablets for online orders to be placed. Other ongoing trials
include using iBeacons to allow the grocer’s Quick Check (scan & go) service to be
used by customers on their own mobile devices.
Pizza Hut interactive table
The restaurant group has been developing an interactive table that allows customers
to build their own pizzas. Working with software developer Chaotic Moon Studios the
solution enables selections to be made from various options of base, sauce, toppings
and sides, with drag-and-drop interactivity employed. A counter then appears on the
screen highlighting how long is left until the dish is cooked. There are also gaming
apps on the table that can be played while customers wait. Payment can also be
made by connecting the table and the customer‘s smartphone.
Made.com / CloudTags
At its London showrooms Made.com is allowing its customers to digitally interact
with physical products using CloudTags. Using hand-held tablets in its two stores
customers can scan visual NFC tags such as images or symbols in order to receive
more information on the products and create a wish list of items. Shoppers can then
receive this list via email, which gives the retailer the opportunity to gather digital data
on the customer, which then enhances their experience. Half the customers of Made.
com stores use the tablets. Harvey Nichols is also using the CloudTags technology.
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575
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571
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INNOVATION RANKINGS
page fourteen
Clinique skin lab
The skincare brand set up its first standalone pop-up store in London’s Covent
Garden and this has became a permanent unit following its success with shoppers.
The unit incorporates a number of interactive pods that enable customer’s faces
to be scanned, and a number of questions are asked of them, that helps determine
how their skin will be affected in the future. From their lifestyles Clinique can then
highlight the products that would be particularly suited to their skin. They are also
given a unique identifier that can be used online to extend the personalised
experience across channels.
Marks & Spencer / RFID tags
RFID tags have been around for many years but M&S is now using them extensively
across its stores in order to give it greater stock visibility, which helps it to drive more
efficient stock management. As many as 98% of non-fast fashion clothing and all
general merchandise goods are now RFID tagged and readers/scanners of the tags
have been recently rolled-out to more of the retailer’s stores. Stocktakes and visibility
have been improved dramatically and enabled more movements of goods between
stores overnight that boosts M&S’ click & collect capability.
OPSH personalised fashion site
Online fashion site OPSH is looking to take on Asos by providing shoppers with a more
personalised service. Customers have the ability to shop across a host of brands
and the options they are provided with when they undertake searches are tailored to
their preferences, which are created when customers register on the site. This initially
includes sizes and favourite brands. The intelligence of the site improves over time
for each customer as they shop the store. The idea clearly is to show shoppers those
goods that they are most likely to want to purchase.
Trinity Leeds / Coniq loyalty app
The success of the ‘Love Trinity Leeds’ app has resulted in it being expanded to
include a loyalty programme. The app gives the 60 retailers who are signed up to the
initiative (including Adidas, Superdry and Dorothy Perkins) visibility of customer’s
behaviour and shopping patterns throughout their whole journey at the mall. The
digital loyalty aspect has been developed by Coniq and involves exclusive store
promotions and discounts that are tailored to the individual customer based on their
activity within the complex. Offers are redeemed in-store by sharing a barcode on the
app at the point-of-sale.
Argos AR catalogue
After trialling augmented reality technology with Blippar in its catalogues in 2013
Argos has now moved on to using a solution from HP Aurasma – named Argos Scan
– that does not require customers to download a third-party app. Much AR content
has been built into its latest catalogues enabling access to extended ranges, product
videos, special offers, and 3D content through simply scanning special codes while
in the Argos app.
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John Lewis click & commute store
A further flexing of the formats at John Lewis led to the creation of the first click &
commute store at London’s St Pancras station. At only 3,000 sq ft it is easily the
company’s smallest unit, which houses only a modest edited range of goods. It is
mainly designed to act as an order and collection point. It takes advantage of the high
demand for click & collect, which accounts for over 50% of the retailer’s online orders.
Goods can be ordered in the store for next-day delivery and customers can pick them
up on their way to work or during their lunch breaks.
Harrods / Ralph Lauren
proximity marketing
The fashion company took over 15 window displays of the department store to launch
a new line through the use of mobile and digital technology. Using the TapPoint
platform from Proxama each window had large vinyl images that could be tapped
or scanned by customers’ phones and which then led them to a landing page that
offered an interactive map guiding them to the product range in-store. When the store
was closed shoppers received links to the Harrods mobile website where they could
access the collection.
Fitbay
Utilising a social media-type model Fitbay is seeking to solve the sizing problems
when shoppers buy clothes online. Customers enter their height, weight and body
shape on the site and are then matched with other similar-sized people. They are
encouraged to post ‘selfies’ wearing clothes they like thereby helping each other to find
clothes that fit. The solution is based more on a customer’s shape rather than on their
measurements. A ‘Discover’ page on the site highlights items that the Fitbay algorithm
believes will be suitable and the right size for individual customers. They can then click
through and make purchases from the relevant retailers who stock these items.
River Island / Google Cardboard
River Island has adopted Google Cardboard to bring a virtual reality experience to
shoppers in a cost-efficient way. By downloading an app and inserting their own
smart-phones into the cardboard goggles the customer can be transported to the
catwalk or to the inside of the flagship stores before they have been opened to the
public. They get a 360 degree view of the content and can purchase the collections.
Such a solution is opening up exclusive aspects of the fashion industry to a much
broader audience.
Mammut / Oculus Rift
Ground-breaking Oculus Rift virtual reality headsets have been adopted by yet another
retailer that recognises the potential for them to improve the in-store experience for
customers. Trekking equipment store Mammut uses the technology to allow shoppers
to experience cliff climbing in the store.
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INNOVATION RANKINGS
page sixteen
Schuh / Google Ingress
Shoe retailer Schuh is experimenting with customer engagement through mobiles
via a partnership with Google that mixes virtual and reality in a game called Ingress.
Shoppers can interact with locations within the game while they browse footwear
in the store. Created by Google’s Niantic Labs, the game transforms physical places
into interactive experiences on the phone which in this case involves Schuh stores
being integrated into the game. It adds a new layer of interactivity to the shopping
experience and could lead to new footwear being found in the adventure.
House of Fraser mannequins
Beacon technology (from Iconeme) has been rolled out to the mannequins at the
company’s click & collect store in Aberdeen, which enables offers to be sent to
shoppers as they walk past dummies. The idea is to communicate information about
the clothes being displayed on the mannequin including price and to give links to the
retailer’s website where customers can directly purchase the goods. The solution
utilises shoppers’ mobile devices to create a richer shopping experience. Ted Baker
has also introduced the same technology at its Westfield London store.
Smart shopping trolley
By installing a tiny sensor that sits inside shopping trolley wheels Cambridge
Consultants have made the vehicles sufficiently ‘smart’ for retailers to be able to track
customer’s movements around the store. This enables them to determine when to
open more checkouts and reduce trolley theft. The solution uses Bluetooth technology
to track customers to within one metre. The advantage of this system is that it
enables the tracking of movements without shoppers having to download an app or
hook up to the retailer’s Wi-Fi connection.
Asda 3D printing
After offering a limited run 3D printing service in October 2013 to produce
personalised figures that sold at its York store, Asda is rolling out the service around
the UK. The technology has since been adapted to scan up to three different shoppers’
bodies concurrently in a matter of seconds. The 8-inch figures cost around £60 and
can be collected from the store or delivered to the customer’s home.
Karen Millen virtual store
Fashion retailer Karen Millen has sought to replicate the in-store experience of its
new flagship in London’s Knightsbridge in the online channel through a virtual reality
version of the outlet. Using vTail technology from Avenue Imperial a four-floor virtual
shop has been uploaded onto the Karen Millen website. Shoppers navigate around the
store and can click on products at any point, which are then taken to the e-commerce
pages of the site. Images of the virtual store can be shared on Facebook and Twitter.
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Top 20 – How innovative
INNOVATIONRANKINGS
1 Pizza Hut / Tobii Technology
mind-reading menu
2 Volvo roaming delivery service
3 Amazon Dash
4 Amazon / Audi parcel-to-vehicle delivery
5 Asos / Apple Watch
6 Argos 3D printed jewellery
7 Tictail / Uber delivery
8 L’Oreal Makeup Genius app
9 DHL drones
10 Waitrose Hiku home scanning
11 Hunkemöller / Kega proximity marketing
12 River Island / Google Cardboard
13 Pizza Hut interactive table
14 Like to Know
15 John Lewis 3D sofas
16 Sainsbury’s shop-and-go app
17 Schuh / Google Ingress
18 Thomas Cook / Samsung VR headset
19 Starbucks pay-ahead and delivery
20 Doddle

2 Doddle
3 Rapid Q pre-ordering
5 Amazon Dash
6 Like to Know
7 Clarks iPad foot gauge
9 DPD Pickup
10 Asda – Eagle Eye digital coupon
11 Marks & Spencer / RFID tags
12 Tesco mobile payments
13 Argos / eReceipts
15 Farfetch click & collect
16 House of Fraser / Qudini
17 Busaba Eathai / MyCheck app
18 Pizza Hut / Tobii Technology
mind-reading menu
20 Metail virtual fitting room
page eighteen
INNOVATIONRANKINGS
Top 20 – How potentially commercial

Top 20 – Potential influence across the sector
INNOVATION RANKINGS
1 Doddle
3 Like to Know
4 Argos / eReceipts
5 DPD Pickup
14 Marks & Spencer / RFID tags
16 Amazon Dash
17 Asda – Eagle Eye digital coupon
18 Mothercare / yReceipts
20 Clarks iPad foot gauge

page twenty
INNOVATIONRANKINGS
Top 20 – Potential benefit to consumers
1 Doddle
5 DPD Pickup
13 Busaba Eathai / MyCheck app
14 Argos / eReceipts
15 Farfetch Click & Collect
16 Metail virtual fitting room
18 DHL drones
19 Amazon Dash
20 Like to Know

Top 10 – International innovations
INNOVATION RANKINGS
Carrefour Connected Kitchen
Customers at Carrefour in Belgium can easily add products to their online shopping
baskets through a tool that involves the scanning of the item or alternatively via a
voice recognition option. The device is equipped with a magnet that enables it to be
attached to a fridge. It is another example of making grocery shopping increasingly
painless and locking customers into using specific retailers.
Lowe’s in-store robots
DIY retailer Lowe’s has introduced in-store robots at one of its Orchard Supply stores
that act as guides helping customers navigate around the outlet and supplying them
with product information. The OSHbot, which has been developed at the company’s
Innovation Labs, are a complimentary support for in-store employees. Developments
have been ongoing to add multiple languages to the robots and for them to remotely
connect with expert staff at other stores to answer specific project questions.
Darty ‘panic button’
In France electrical retailer Darty has launched what it calls a ‘panic button’ for
subscribers to its support services. Pressing the 7cm square button – that can be
located anywhere in the customer’s home – results in an agent from the retailer
calling back in less than a minute, 24 hours a day. The device uses Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
connectivity and allows customers to use the service to not only ask personal queries
on products bought at Darty but on all electrical goods. This is an early example of the
Internet of Things whereby myriad devices are becoming connected.
Deliv
This US-based on-demand crowd-sourced delivery solution leverages mobile
technology to access people and resources that were previously unavailable at scale
in order to provide same-day delivery capabilities. It manages to make the fastest and
most flexible same-day delivery the cheapest shipping option. The app-based solution
uses independent contractors to make the delivery and ensures the retailer retains the
direct relationship with the customer.
Fiat Brazil live store
Developed to bridge the gap between the internet and physical car dealerships the
Fiat Brazil Live Store connects online customers with a team from the car maker
who can explore the vehicles on behalf of the remote customer. Wearing eye-level
micro cameras and microphones the team can give customers a personal tour of
the cars through real-time video streaming. These experts also use tablets to share
further information with the prospective car buyer. The idea is that the Live Store
will shorten the purchase-decision process that is undertaken before customers visit
the dealerships.
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INNOVATION RANKINGS
Top 10 – International innovations
Macy’s digital stores
around its stores with 4,000 such transmitters now delivering deals, discounts,
recommendations and rewards to shoppers via the Bluetooth technology.
The company has also been testing enhanced mobile point-of-sale devices and
tablets that enable employees to process transactions and receive information
on recommended merchandise. Electronic kiosks have also been added alongside
large interactive ‘lookbook’ displays. Macy’s has also been one of the first retailers
to accept Apple Pay mobile payments.
Baked by Melissa /
Nomi shopper tracking
Nomi is one of a number of retail-tracking start-ups that monitor the movement of
people in-store through their mobile devices. Using Wi-Fi and/or sensors to track
mobile signals it is helping the likes of Baked by Melissa to understand shoppers. The
retailer uses Nomi data to run A/B tests on its window displays where it promotes
different cake flavours, to determine which displays result in higher conversion rates.
Nomi is also working on an opt-in solution Engage that will allow consumers to
identify themselves and receive relevant offers.
Neiman Marcus MyNM
The US-based department store chain is looking to replicate its personalised in-store
shopping experience for its shoppers online through its MyNM solution. Customers
have access to a dashboard whenever they visit the retailer’s website that they
can populate with their preferences and favourite products as well as respond to
presentations of the latest new products and trending items. This gradually builds up
a profile of the shopper that drives an increasingly tailored experience whenever they
visit the site.
Auchan 3D printing
The France-based retailer has opened a dedicated 3D printing area at its Lille store
that helps its customers buy a range of personalised products including ‘mini-me’
figures, jewellery, trophies and medals. At the store-within-a-store that involves a
partnership with i.materialise customers design the items and order them to be
printed for collection at a later time. The retailer is using the 3D kiosks as another way
to bring the latest technologies and innovations to its customers.
Respect Your Universe /
Gesaky interactive mirror
US sportswear brand RYU is rolling out interactive mirrors that it is using as both an
up-selling/cross-selling tool and as an information gathering device on its customers.
When an item is held up to the mirror it provides additional information and matches
products as well as giving stock details such as availability. Out-of-stock items can
be ordered from a touch-screen device attached to the mirror. The next iteration will
enable ordering and payments to be made by customers simply walking up to the
mirror and using their phones. It will also be more integrated with social media. During
quiet times the mirrors also act as an advertising platform and as staff training tools.
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Retailinsider.com
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Through our membership programmes, we help our online retail partners’ customers
make significant savings each year while providing the partner with an additional
revenue stream. As well as incentivising customers to make repeat purchases at the
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fashion to electronics to travel at top online stores.
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Copyright 2015 by Retailinsider.com
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2015

#digitalinnovation
2015
Retail Insider
glynn@busicomm.co.uk
@glynndavis
retailinsider.com
Webloyalty
enquiries@webloyalty.co.uk
@webloyaltyuk
webloyalty.co.uk
Can you think of a great, new digital
innovation being used in the retail sector?
email glynn@busicomm.co.uk

Digital Retail Innovations 2015

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