In-Store Technology Integration

Bridging the Gap: Fixing the Online-to-Offline Disconnect for Gen Z Shoppers Retailers talk about “connected retail”—seamless experiences, digital integration, and meeting customers where they are. Yet, for Gen Z—the most digitally savvy yet least brand-loyal generation—there’s still a glaring disconnect between online discovery and in-store experience. The Problem: A Fragmented Shopping Journey Gen Z’s path to purchase isn’t linear: • They discover products on TikTok, Instagram, or Snap. • They engage—saving, sharing, or adding to cart. • They expect instant access—online or in-store. But the in-store experience fails to acknowledge their digital footprint: • No connection between online and offline – A shopper who engages online walks into a store with no guidance, wayfinding, or acknowledgment of their interest. • Lack of real-time insights for associates – Store staff don’t have access to customer browsing data, leaving shoppers to navigate alone. • Missed conversion opportunities – Instead of real-world nudges, retailers rely on email reminders, ignoring the potential of geo-triggered incentives. This disjointed approach frustrates Gen Z and drives lost sales. The Fix: Using Gen AI to Personalise In-Store Retailers already have the data—they just aren’t using it effectively. By leveraging Gen AI, in-store media, and real-time personalisation, stores can transform into intelligent, interactive spaces that bridge the online-to-offline gap. ✅ Connected mobile experiences – Geo-fenced notifications and social media integrations can remind shoppers: “That jumper you saved? Aisle 4, 20% off today.” ✅ AI-powered digital screens – Personalized displays show trending products based on online engagement. ✅ Smart carts & RFID tracking – Shopping carts recognise items and suggest related products based on past interactions. Personalising the In-Store Experience ✅ AI-powered clienteling – Store associates can access real-time customer data, making recommendations based on online browsing history. ✅ Dynamic promotions – Online cart abandoners receive exclusive in-store discounts upon arrival. ✅ AI-powered wayfinding – Shoppers use their phones for a personalised store map guiding them to saved items. The Future: From Siloed to Seamless For Gen Z, digital and physical retail are intertwined. The brands that integrate these experiences will win, while those that don’t will see foot traffic decline. The future of retail isn’t just about digital ads—it’s about: ✔ Using Gen AI to personalise the in-store journey ✔ Eliminating friction between online interest and in-store purchase ✔ Turning retail media into an in-store shopping assistant, not just an ad platform Retailers who get this right won’t just sell more—they’ll build lasting loyalty and turn Gen Z into lifelong brand advocates. It’s time to fix the disconnect. The future of retail is seamless, intelligent, and real-time. #digitalcommerce #immersivetech #retailtech

Carrefour and Accor explore autonomous retail in the hospitality sector Carrefour and Accor have launched a fully cashierless micro-store at an ibis, ibis Styles, ibis budgethotel near Paris-Charles de Gaulle - powered by Portuguese startup Reckon.ai’s patented AI and computer-vision technology. Why seamless 24/7 retail matters • True walk-out convenience: smart fridges recognize, weigh, and charge for items immediately - no staff, no lines, full autonomy. Ideal for travelers with unpredictable schedules or short stays. • Operational gains: Reckon.ai’s sensor-fusion tech (combining shelf-level cameras with weight sensors) achieves >99.9% accuracy, reduces shrinkage, and can be retrofitted into existing equipment in days. • Data-driven performance: real-time insights on stock levels, usage patterns, and customer behavior support smarter restocking and personalization. • Cost-effective deployment: modular AI smart-cabinets can be mounted in fridges, vending machines, or shelves - streamlining expansion across locations . Tier 1 brands trust Reckon.ai Reckon.ai’s tech is already powering cashierless solutions for leading retailers: • REWE To Go & Lekkerland SE: 65 m² autonomous convenience store at Koblenz central station—open 24/7 with smart fridges, tobacco-age gates, and instant payment via card or mobile scan. • REWE Ready at EV charging hubs: smart shop in Lichtenau/Chemnitz, where customers grab food or drinks during electric vehicle charging—smart fridges activate via card scan, open, and close within 30 seconds . • Carrefour Belgium: launched an 18 m² autonomous BuyBye micro-store at its Zaventem HQ, powered by Reckon.ai—working towards roll‑out in stores . • IKEA London (Hammersmith): first autonomous micro-store, offering food products seamlessly integrated into stores and public spaces . Other global brands such as Unilever are also leveraging Reckon.ai’s tech—testimony to its scalability and brand trust . Strategic edge in hospitality • Plug‑and‑play convenience: quick deployment enables Accor to prototype new retail formats in hotels across Europe. • Enhanced guest experience: offers consistent, frictionless access to essentials and snacks, directly improving satisfaction. • New revenue streams: autonomous retail increases per-guest spend through easy impulse purchases. By weaving together AI-powered cabinets and insight-rich data, Reckon.ai enables Carrefour and Accor to deliver seamless 24/7 convenience—creating a scalable blueprint for cashierless, hospitality-aligned retail. #retailtech #hospitality #ai #cashierless #ecommerce #fmcg #france #belgium #portugal #reckonai #carrefour #accor #buybye #autonomousretail #futureofretail #smartfridge #checkoutfree #travelretail #digitalretail #snacking #foodtech #guestexperience #conveniencestore #urbanmobility #patentedtech #24seven #innotech #microstore #startupcollaboration #platformeconomy #europeorigin #portugalorigin #franceorigin

Did you know that 95% of urban holiday shoppers in India research products online before visiting a store? The question for luxury brands is: How do you convert these online visitors into loyal offline customers? For luxury brands, the challenge isn’t choosing between online and offline—it’s blending them to create seamless, personalized experiences that retain the exclusivity and allure of the luxury segment. Here are five strategies luxury brands in India can adopt:   1️⃣ The In-Store Experience Luxury shopping is all about the experience. While not every store can replicate Louis Vuitton (see pics), brands can still focus on creating immersive spaces. 🔵 Design stores as places where customers connect with the brand, not just the products. 🔵 Host art installations, pop-ups, or workshops. 🔵 Enable online fulfilment so customers can explore products in-store and complete purchases later online.   2️⃣ Use Technology Not every brand can afford cutting-edge AR or VR tools, but simpler technologies can also elevate the customer journey. Install tablets or interactive screens to offer customisation options like unique designs or personalised engravings. 3️⃣ Leverage Data Online data, like browsing habits and purchase history, can help create tailored in-store experiences. Imagine a scenario where a customer books an appointment, and the staff has pre-selected items based on their online activity. 🔵 Invest in CRM systems to collect and analyze customer data. 🔵 Train staff to use this data for personalized service. 🔵 Send timely notifications about new arrivals or events that align with customer preferences. 4️⃣ Omnichannel Integration The boundaries between online and offline are increasingly blurred. A customer might discover a product on Instagram, research it on your website, and then visit your store to complete the purchase. 🔵 Interconnect all channels—online and offline—for a unified experience. 🔵 Offer features like appointment booking, product reservations, and virtual consultations. 🔵 Provide flexible options, including in-store pickups and home delivery. 5️⃣ Redefine the Role of Sales Staff In the “phygital” era, sales staff are not just sellers—they are brand ambassadors and trusted advisors. 🔵 Train them to align service with the brand’s online interactions. 🔵 Equip them with tools to access customer profiles and preferences. 🔵 Focus on building long-term relationships rather than closing immediate sales. The future of luxury retail lies in combining the strengths of digital convenience and physical presence. By investing in technology, adopting data-driven personalization, and rethinking store roles, luxury brands can create unforgettable customer experiences that build lasting loyalty. In a world where expectations are constantly evolving, the brands that can master this digital-physical intersection will set the standard for the luxury market of tomorrow. #omnichannelretail #luxuryretail

🛒 In‑Store Ads: The Spark That Ignites the Shopper Journey . As CPG professionals, we're always chasing that perfect moment when a shopper’s curiosity turns into a purchase. According to new data from Placer.ai and EMARKETER (March 2025), 40.6% of US adults say they've researched a product after seeing an in‑store ad. But here’s where it gets interesting: 75.5% of marketers say ads featuring discounts or special offers grab attention — and 53.9% of consumers say those offers actually get them to buy something unplanned. That means in-store ads aren’t just awareness builders – they can activate purchase behavior. 🚀 So what does that mean for CPG brands? 1. Use in-store ads as the spark, not the full funnel. Static shelf talkers alone won’t cut it. Instead, incorporate mobile-first elements – QR codes, digital demos, microsites – to keep the shopper journey alive after they’ve left the store. 2. Incentivize meaningfully. Discounts and coupons aren’t just nice-to-haves; they drive behavior. But conversion means pairing them with digital follow-through – think incentive-linked loyalty points or exclusive promo codes. 3. Build seamless mobile experiences. Make sure every physical ad links to a frictionless mobile journey—store locators, recipe ideas, reviews, loyalty rewards. Think omnichannel. 4. Measure what matters—and attribute it. Track mobile searches, clicks, scans, app downloads, and even foot traffic spikes. The data isn’t just “nice to have,” it’s essential for proving ROI on in-store media programs. 🔍 What this means for us in CPG: We need to treat store shelves as digital touchpoints — not endpoints. When in-store ads are smartly integrated into a broader mobile-first, value-driven experience, they’re not just sparks; they’re converters. If you’re navigating in-store media for a CPG brand: * Explore QR-to-mobile campaigns with clear CTAs. * Pair discounts with loyalty or retargeting follow-ups. * Invest in analytics (app, web, POS) to close the loop between spark and sale. #digitalmareting #omnichannel #instore #cpgbrands

How can retailers activate in-store experiences that can scale efficiently and measure incremental impact? 🤝 In-store media requires cross-functional collaboration across marketing, merchandising, and retail media teams. Merchant alignment is essential to ensure in-store media supports broader category goals, promotions, and pricing strategies. However, fragmentation between teams often leads to inconsistent execution. 💰 High upfront investment in digital screens, infrastructure, and maintenance makes scalability a challenge. Retailers must balance technology costs with expected ROI. Additionally, ensuring planogram compliance and optimizing store layouts for maximum visibility and shopper impact requires coordination across teams. 📊 In-store media success is evaluated through POS data, sales lift analysis, customer sentiment surveys, and match market tests. These methods help brands understand the impact on purchasing behavior, optimize budgets, and refine in-store strategies. 🐢 Crawl Phase: Retailers should pilot technologies, gather initial data, and build a scalable business model while training teams and refining measurement approaches. Early-stage collaboration with merchants ensures that in-store media aligns with overall store operations and merchandising priorities. 🚶 Walk Phase: Use data insights to optimize content, improve store-level targeting, and scale successful pilots. Refining planograms and integrating in-store media with category management strategies help maximize effectiveness. Introduce advanced features like interactive displays, mobile integration, and AI-driven recommendations to enhance engagement. 🏃 Run Phase: Fully integrate online and in-store strategies to create seamless in-store experiences that can measure omnichannel impact. Collaborate closely with merchants, store operations, and category managers to ensure store layouts, promotions, and digital touchpoints work together.

While retail media networks and e-commerce growth often dominate discussions in the retail sector, a quieter yet profoundly transformative evolution is taking place overhead, in-store, and in real time. The integration of computer vision, AI, and autonomous systems goes beyond streamlining checkout processes; it is reshaping the very essence of retail, impacting operations and enhancing the shopper experience. Please consider the implications as the store evolves into a sensor network. How does shelf-level intelligence revolutionize logistics? Can we now analyze real-world shopper behavior like online metrics? This piece explores the emergence of a genuine Retail Operating System, shedding light on its implications for the next generation of innovators, operators, and industry leaders. I invite you to share your insights. Have you observed this paradigm shift in your workplace? #RetailInnovation #AutonomousRetail #AIinRetail #ComputerVision #FutureOfRetail #RetailMedia #SmartStores #RetailLeadership

MAXIMIZING THE IMPACT OF IN-STORE DIGITAL SIGNAGE With over 80% of U.S. consumers making purchases in-store rather than online, brick-and-mortar locations present a significantly larger audience - up to 4X greater than digital channels. This creates a compelling opportunity for brands to engage shoppers at the point of decision. A recent study published in the Journal of Marketing highlights the effectiveness of in-store digital signage: > +8.1% increase in purchase likelihood for featured products > Drives incremental consumption, not just purchase shifting > Ads are more effective on weekends, later in the day, during good weather, and in crowded stores For brands and retailers aiming to influence consumer behavior, strengthen loyalty, and grow revenue, digital coupons — delivered via QR or UPC codes through in-store screens (and supported on websites or apps) — can be a powerful tool. According to Sherif Fahmy of Inmar Intelligence, five key strategies drive digital coupon success: 1. Invest in user-friendly platforms 2. Leverage data for personalization 3. Promote awareness effectively 4. Integrate with loyalty programs 5. Continuously measure and optimize Today’s value-driven consumers, combined with the scale of in-store traffic, create a prime environment for digital coupon engagement. Promoting these offers through in-store signage can boost sales, enhance loyalty, shift market share, and improve overall customer satisfaction. Links to the Journal of Marketing study and Sherif Fahmy’s full article are available in the first comment. #retailmedia #commercemedia #digitalcoupons #instoresignage

The in-store shopping experience stinks. According to the The Wall Street Journal, nearly three-quarters of consumers prefer shopping in physical stores, but only 9% are satisfied with the store experience. Chief among their complaints is a lack of product variety and availability in stores, according to a 2024 survey of 20,000 people in 26 countries by the IBM Institute for Business Value. The problem with a lot of stores isn’t that they don’t carry the breadth and depth of merchandise you can get online (how could they?). It's that they don’t have the items they say they are going to have. I am always surprised how often I go grocery shopping and find that multiple items I want are out of stock. In apparel, I don’t expect the retailer to have every color they sell online, but I do expect that they have the most popular colors in all the standard sizes, especially if their website says the item is available in store. While technology won’t make a bad experience good, it can help retailers reduce the biggest friction points with shoppers. For example, retailers can use AI and related technologies to; ** Tailor merchandise assortments to each individual store to make sure the items and sizes are a match to the people who shop there. ** More accurately forecast demand to make sure the right items are in the right store at the right time.  ** Track out-of-stocks to ensure that items are on the shelf and/or use predictive modeling to automate replenishment. ** Understand how shoppers shop the store, identifying opportunities to improve flow and take advantage of the entire floor space. ** Automate checkout or other tasks in the store to free up associate time to assist shoppers as well as make sure shelves are stocked and the store is tidy.