The top April 2018 retail innovations offer a look at the many ways in which brick-and-mortar stores are rapidly adapting and embracing cutting-edge technology in order to better compete with online environments. Some of the best examples of this include Co-op's mobile pay-in-aisle supermarket system, an augmented reality app from clothing retailer Zara and the robotic assistants used in e-retailer Howdy's brick-and-mortar store.
While self-checkout stations have been a staple of many grocery and supermarket stores for years now, the world of fashion retail has only selectively implemented the technology, as theft prevention remains a large concern. Department store Macy's recently updated its mobile checkout app and select in-store systems to allow consumers to pick up the items they wish to purchase, scan them with the app, then proceed to the physical store's mobile checkout counter, so that security tags may be removed.
Top 65 Retail Innovations in April
64
Futuristic Beauty Showrooms
The Mußler Beauty by Notino Concept Caters to the Consumer of Tomorrow
63
Cosmetic Brand Arcades
Chanel's 'Coco Game Center' in Tokyo Pairs Retro Games and Makeup Tables
62
Designer Department Store Cafes
An Off-White Cafe Pop-Up Opened Its Doors at the Bon Marché
61
Futuristic Fashion Store Makeovers
Zara is Combining Online and Offline Retail in Its Stores
60
Multi-Sensory Beehive Pop-Ups
Pandora Created a Gilded Hive for a New Jewelry Launch
59
Millennial Start-Up Services
Office Depot's BizBox Empowers Business Owners with Growth Tools
58
Compostable Pizza Packaging
The World Centric 'PizzaRound' Box is Made from Plant-Based Materials
57
Reimagined Retail Spaces
Retail Design Collective Transform Loft into Hub for Community Engagement
56
Warehouse-Inspired Concept Shops
E-Retailer Howdy's Store Envisions a "Futuristic Warehouse"
55
In-Store AR Clothing Apps
Zara's AR App is Available for a Limited Time
54
Vegan Beauty Pop-Ups
The 'Little Vegan Pop-Up' by Superdrug Spotlights Plant-Based Beauty Products
53
Rib-Topped Fried Onion Appetizers
The Outback Steakhouse 3-Point Rib Bloom is Indulgent
52
Cost-Conscious Minimalist Fashion
The Merona Collection Boasts an Affordable Minimalist Aesthetic
51
Personal Fragrance Pop-Ups
Diptyque Launched Its First-Ever Pop-Up with a Focus on Fragrance
50
Plastic-Free Supermarket Aisles
Ekoplaza Created an Aisle with Over 700 Products Without Plastic
49
Mom-Centric Online Concierges
Boxed.com is Launching a "Momcierge" Exclusively for Mothers
48
Illuminating Flagship Installations
O2's O-Shaped Doorway Encourages One to "Follow the Rabbit"
47
Bodega-Inspired Streetwear Shops
Bodega's Los Angeles Flagship Store Mimics the Mini-Mart Style
46
Low-Cost Vegetarian Meals
The New Qdoba Vegetarian Menu is Competitively Priced and Healthy
45
Personalized Perfume Boutiques
Ormonde Jayne's Fragrance Shop Concept Emphasizes Customization
44
Color-Matching Nail Polish Packaging
This Polish Bottle Has a Built-In Nail Tip with Actual Polish
43
Pay-in-Aisle Supermarket Systems
Co-op's "Frictionless Shopping Experience" Has No Tills
42
Gamified Retail Apps
'Gravy Live' Uses an 'HQ Trivia' Format to Help Brands Sell Products
41
Fuzzy Monochromatic Wall Decor
Eduard Eremchuk's Concept Shop Boasts Vibrant Yellow & Cozy Pink
40
Open Refrigerated Grocery Displays
JSI Store Fixtures Offers Useful Storage Options for Businesses
39
Grocer-Hosted Fitness Classes
Waitrose Now Offers In-Store Yoga Classes for Its Shoppers
38
Crispy Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches
The Taco Bell Breakfast Toasted Cheese Chalupa is Convenient
37
Local Restaurant Exploration Apps
The 'Illume' App Lets You Swipe to Discover What's Around You
36
Gender Neutral Clothing Stores
Phluid Project is the World's First Gender-Free Clothing Store
35
Kid-Focused Department Stores
'Kid Cavern' is Launching a Department Store for Kids in Liverpool
34
Dessert-Infused QSR Coffees
The McCafé Turtle Beverages Come in Three Different Varieties
33
Steakhouse-Inspired Stir Frys
The Panda Express Wok-Seared Steak and Shrimp is Tasty
32
Pivoting Drive-Thru Canopies
OrderMatic's Drive-Thru Canopy Moves to Accommodate Tall Vehicles
31
Overloaded QSR Hot Dogs
The New Wienerschnitzel Chili Cheese Dogs are Indulgently Crafted
30
Family-Friendly Mediterranean Dinners
Zoës Kitchen is Offering 3 New Mediterranean Family Dinners
29
Bitcoin-Themed Streetwear Lines
Baggy by Baggy's Clothing Line Can Be Purchased with Bitcoins
28
Texturized Chocolate Dessert Donuts
The Dunkin' Donuts Caramel Chocoholic Donut is Indulgent
27
Artisan Wrap Sandwich Menus
The New Subway Signature Wraps Come in Three Varieties
26
Bitcoin Payment Chips
'Flip' Facilitates Contactless Cryptocurrency Payments
25
Home-Style Furniture Showrooms
The Inside's 'Creative Compound' is Styled as a Welcoming Home
24
Dress Clothes Rental Services
'The Black Tux' Offers Affordable High-Quality Rental Tuxes
23
Gym-Style Financial Services
'The Financial Gym' Helps People Approach Money Like Personal Fitness
22
Raw Oak Wine Displays
Norbec Designed 'HJ Hansen Vin' With Rich, Sumptuous Displays
21
Color-Centric Fashion Pop-Ups
Ted Baker's Women's Fashion Pop-Up Offers Light and Color Therapy
20
Dedicated Potato Displays
Dutch Chain Albert Heyn Boasts an Entire Wall for Grocery Store Potatoes
19
Crispy Balanced Chicken Sandwiches
The Burger King Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich is Bold and Tasty
18
Limited-Edition Candy Bar Drinks
The 7-Eleven Reese's Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate is Decadent
17
Sauce-Celebrating Restaurant Menus
The Buffalo Wild Wings B-Dubs Hackables Menu is Tasty
16
Premium Breakfast Sandwich Promotions
These McDonald's Sandwiches are Available at a Special Price
15
Transparent Local Butchers
'Butchers Cut' is Designed to Build Trust with Consumers
14
Chocolate-Dipped Cookies
These White Chocolate Covered Lemon Oreo Cookies are Indulgent
13
In-Store Printed Footwear
ECCO's QUANT-U Makes Custom Footwear Accessible at Retail Shops
12
Nonprofit Grocery Stores
The Salvation Army's 'DMG Foods' Offers Healthy, Affordable Food
11
Department Store Checkout Apps
Macy's Mobile Checkout Lets Clothing Shoppers Skip the Line
10
Simplistic Grocery Checkout Displays
Cayuga Offers Ergonomically Focused Stores Shelving Units
9
Cheese-Filled Pepperoni Pizzas
The Little Caesars 'ExtraMostBestest Stuffed Crust Pizza' is Tasty
8
Greek-Inspired QSR Meals
The New Arby's Greek Gyro Menu is Packed with Options for Everyone
7
Lobster-Topped Waffle Dishes
The Red Lobster Lobster and Waffles is a Southern-Inspired Meal
6
Cold-Smoked Salmon Sandwiches
The Einstein Bros. SuperNova Sandwich is Fresh and Light
5
Shoppable Fashion Search Apps
ASOS' 'Style Match' Conducts Image Searches on Similar Products
4
Transitional Season Coffee Drinks
The Starbucks Hazelnut Mocha Coconutmilk Macchiato is Decadent
3
Breakfast Cake Sandwich Menus
The IHOP Creations Menu Includes New Ways to Enjoy Classic Foods
2
Light Citrus-Infused Shakes
The Chick-fil-A 'Frosted Sunrise' is Made with Simply Orange Juice
1
Candy Bar-Infused QSR Pies
The Burger King Pie Made with Twix is Indulgently Delicious
Related Ideas
AR Retail Kiosks
BIG Digital and DeepAR Bring Mobile & Desktop Try-Ons to Store Settings
AR Runway Experiences
Vogue & Snap Created Custom Augmented Reality Experiences for Vogue World
Hands-Free Footwear Stores
Kizik Announced the Debut of a First-of-Its-Kind Store at CES 2023
AR Fashion Pop-Ups
ZERO10 + Crosby Studios Set Up a Shop with Digital-Only Clothing
Pop-Up Reverse Supermarkets
The Give Back Express Invites Shoppers to Buy and Donate Goods
Interactive Arcade Storefronts
JD & Snap London Created an AR Storefront for Christmas
Expressive AR Fashion
Innovation Metaverse Design Story is a Digital Collection from H&M
Bag-Modeling AR Mirrors
Coach's Digital Experience Lets Shoppers Digitally Try Its Tabby Bag
Immersive Spatial DIY Apps
Lowe's Companies, Inc. Debuts Lowe's Style Studio for Apple Vision Pro
AI-Powered Fashion Stylists
Style Bot Lets Users Try on Clothes from an AI Virtual Closet
Unified Grocery Shopping Platforms
Instacart Debuts New All-in-One 'Connected Stores' Platform
Virtual Beauty Storefronts
The Clinique Lab is a Next-Gen Digital Retail Concept
Discount Retailer Mobile Apps
Family Dollar Debuted a New Mobile Shopping App for Customers
Interactive VR Styling Apps
'J.Crew' Launched a Closet Management and Shopping App for Vision Pro
AI-Powered Shopping Apps
Shoptrue Curates Personalized Fashion Picks with Artificial Intelligence
In-Store Beauty Sampling Kiosks
Ulta Beauty and SOS are Partnering to Promote Product Discovery
AI-Powered Shopping Tools
Google AI Now Allows Shoppers to Browse AI Product Recommendations
AI-Powered Fashion Apps
The 'Blend' App Helps Users Find Products That Suit Their Style and Budget
Online Merchandise Storefronts
The Panera Shop Gives Access to Bread-themed Apparel & Carb-Couture
Interactive In-Store Ads
Visibubble Brings Mobile Messaging Capabilities to Store Shelves
Multi-Brand Virtual Malls
Bloomingdale’s Virtual Experience Spotlights Beloved Brands
AI-Powered Virtual Closets
Stylitics' Products Support Next-Gen Personalized Shopping
Digital Celeb Shopping Experiences
This Walmart Digital Shopping Experience Has Customized Carts
Small-Format Department Stores
Macy’s Unveils Plan to Open Up to 30 Small-format Stores
Shoe Retailer AI Apps
SuperStep Partnered with 'IMSHOP' to Create a Convenient Mobile App
AR Retailer Haircare Experiences
Walmart Beauty Virtual Try-On Now Includes Hair Color Products
AI-Augmented Retail Checkouts
This Checkout Solution Helps Prevent Theft and Scanning Errors
GenAI Virtual Shoppers
Cindy by Imaginuity Boots Online and In-Store Foot Traffic
Text-to-Shop Retail Services
Walmart Text to Shop Makes it Easier Than Ever to Shop
AR-Based Store Replicas
Lowe's Will Create a 'Digital Twin Store' Using Augmented Reality
AR Shopping Malls
American Express' Door to Shop Small Highlights 10 Small Businesses
AI-Powered Shopping Tools
Klarna's AI Image Search Helps Shoppers Find the Best Deals
Augmented Reality Stores
Zero10 is Debuting Its AR Store Prototype at Viva Technology in Paris
Magazine-Integrated QR Features
ARCADE Launches the ELLE x Clarks Shoe Visualiser and Experience
Computer-Vision Self-Service Kiosks
Toshiba's Vision Kiosk Identifies Items Without Barcodes
AI-Powered Snack Shops
The Aramark Quick Eats Store Has a Checkout-Free Layout
Sustainable Fashion Stores
Cos Unveils Two Stores in Stockholm and Mexico City
E-Commerce Beauty Packaging
Aptar Beauty + Home's Redesigned Packaging is "E-Commerce Capable"
Digital Grocery Screens
Kroger Launches the New Digital Smart Screens Across 500 Store Locations
Historic Fashion Try-Ons
The Design Museum's London Fashion Exhibition Integrates AR Mirrors
Self-Service Commerce Kiosks
Cantaloupe Go Brings Buy-and-Go Expereinces to Customers
Gamified Shopping Apps
Yaysay Combines AI-Powered Personalization & Gamification
AI-Enhanced Grocery Apps
Instacart Unveiled a Suite of AI Features Coming to its Mobile App
Mixed-Reality Makeup Apps
e.l.f. Cosmetics Launches a New Shopping App for the Apple Vision Pro
Smart Shopping Cart Ads
Instacart Unveiled Ads for Its AI-Powered Caper Carts
Future-Proof POS Systems
Metcalfe's Market is Expanding Toshiba Self Checkout System 7 Solutions
AI-Powered Retail Tools
Walmart is Introducing a New Series of AI Tools for Customer Experience
E-retailer Fashion Pop-ups
The SHEIN Pop-up Shop Experience Opens March 23 at the Eaton Centre
Smart Retail Inventory Tools
Puma Partners with Nedap to Roll-Out Omnichannel Inventory Solution
Y2K Shopping Pop-Ups
Klarna's House of Y2K Explores the Evolution of Shopping Since the 2000s
Attention-Grabbing Retail Displays
Auo's Smart Shelf Displays Enhance the Customer Experience
Mixed-Reality Shopping Apps
StockX Launched an Immersive Way to Shop with the Apple Vision Pro
AI-Powered Fashion Assistants
Zalando is Launching a Virtual Assistant Powered by ChatGPT
Tech-Driven In-Store Events
Dyson Launches an Interactive Event at Harrods Department Store
Metaverse Shopping Malls
Avatly Offers a New Hybrid Shopping Experience for Avatars
Automated Retail Stores
Muffato Launches Brazil’s First Automated Store Without Physical Checkouts
Retailer-Backed Beauty Categories
Moda Operandi Launches a Curated Beauty Category
Leisure Activity Grocery Stores
The FreshTake Concept Grocery Store Blends Experiences
AI Beauty Shopping Apps
Trendio's Video Shopping App Shares Personally Curated Content
Healthy Eating Grocery Initiatives
Instacart Introduces New 'Instacart Health' Project
Inventory-Scanning Retail Robots
Sam’s Club Confirms the Launch of Inventory-Scanning Robots
Retailer Health Goal Apps
'Sincerely Health' from Albertsons Companies is Feature-Rich
AI-Driven Convenience Stores
GS25 Launched an Autonomous Convenience Store Powered by Fainders.AI
AI Beauty Installations
Sephora Illumination Shows Off the Retailer's Shade Matching AI Tech
Phygital Fashion Retail Experiences
Macy's mstylelab Digital Shopping Platform is Immersive
Phygital Fashion Platforms
Macy's and Journee Debut the mstylelab Platform for Users
Parent-Connected Teen Shopping Apps
Hollister's Debuts New 'Share2Pay' For Teen Shoppers
Live Commerce Holiday Windows
TalkShopLive's WindowShopping Merges Physical & Digital Experiences
AI Grocery Assistants
'Ask Instacart' is a Time-Saving AI-Powered Search Tool
Eco Tech Accessory Pop-Ups
The CASETiFY Style Lab Highlights the Work of Gen Z Fashion Students
Interactive Phygital Hoodies
Beyond's Phygital Fashion Capsule Can Be Tried on with AR
Housewares Retailer Design Apps
The Wayfair Decorify App Digitally Transforms Spaces for Shopping
AI-Powered Supermarkets
Green Picks Market Autonomous Grocery Store is Frictionless
AI-Powered DIY Home Apps
Praxis Introduces New Features to Its Praxis Plus App
AR-Based Skincare Try-Ons
J.C. Penney Recruits Revieve for an AR and AI-Based Cosmetic Experience
Product Exploration Retailer Tools
These New Instacart Discovery Tools Connect Brands to Retailers
Social Shopping Apps
Locker Helps Users Organize, Share, and Earn from Online Wishlists.
Early-Access Shopping Apps
The J.Crew App Provides Users Access to Sales 48 Hours in Advance
Try-On E-Commerce Solutions
Zero10 Launches the New AI-Enabled Try-On Tools for E-Commerce
Instant Retail Savings Platforms
formi by Patron Points Offers Universal Savings for Shoppers
AI-Driven Inventory Platforms
The RELEX Mobile Pro App Streamlines Stock Management
Digitally Led Bakery-Cafes
Panera's Small-Format Store Has a Digitized Menu & Tracking Screens
Virtual Appliance Showrooms
Samsung's Shoppable Instagram Profiles Replace Department Stores
AR Garment Try-Ons
H&M Launches a Virtual Try-On Lens Wearable Through Augmented Reality
AI Clothing Try-Ons
Google's AI Shopping Feature Shows How Apparel Looks on Real Models
Streamlined Shoppable Video Ads
Instacart Launches New Shoppable Video Ads in 'Ads Manager'
Dedicated eCommerce Fulfilment Apps
The Grocerist Fulfillment App Minimizes Labor Costs
Omnichannel Grocery Technologies
Instacart Launches the New Omnichannel Solutions for Grocers
Digital Delivery Service Storefronts
Instacart Storefront Lets Retailers Customize the Interface
Virtual Eyewear Retailer Experiences
Walmart Optical Virtual Try-On is Available Online
AI-Generated Shopping Campaigns
Sandton City's Latest Campaign Integrates Smart Technology
AR Secondhand Shops
American Eagle Outfitters' RE/AE Shop Spotlights Sustainable Goods
Beauty-Focused Shopping Apps
The 'Trendio' Live Shopping App Offers Access to Beauty Content
Smart Shopping Cart Initiatives
These Cust2Mate Smart Carts are Arriving at Morton Williams
AI Fashion Apps
Rosetta AI Up & Cross Sells App Was Released on Shopify
Low-Waste Shopping Solutions
ASDA, Avery Berkel & Hanshow are Enhancing Sustainability in the UK
AI-Powered Retail Try-Ons
Walmart is Adding an AI-Based Try-On Technology for Online Consumers
Automated Retail Receipt Checkers
Sam’s Club Receipt Verification Was Announced at CES 2024
Customized Convenience Retailer Apps
Family Express is Introducing a Personalized App Experience
In-Store Bra-Fitting Technologies
Macy’s Implements FIT:MATCH Bra Fitting Technology in its Stores
Virtual Beauty-Focused Stores
Laura Mercier Debuts the Virtual ‘World of Beauty’ Store
Innovative SCO Kiosks
Austrian Brand Shopreme Debuts a New Self-Checkout Kiosk for Retailers
Retail Food Preparation Stations
Urban Eat Debuts a Smart Retail Solution for its Food-to-Go Range
Self-Guided Cannabis Retail Experiences
BLAZE ECOM Revolutionizes In-Store Cannabis Retail
Loss Prevention AI Checkouts
Vynamic Smart Vision Shrink Reduction Addresses Self-Checkout Issues
Digital Retailer Strategy Updates
This Walmart eCommerce Update Refreshes the Website and App
Checkout-Free Grocery Stores
ALDI Launches the Innovative 'ALDIgo' Checkout-Free Grocery Store
Text-Based Shopping Features
Walmart Unveils a New Shopping by Text Feature for Mobile Shoppers
Checkout-Free Campus Retail Experiences
Grubhub Will Use Amazon Just Walk Out Technology on Campus
Virtual Convenience Stores
The Instacart-Powered ALDI Express Offers 30-Minute Deliveries
AI-Powered Retail Payments
Focalpay's New AI Features Streamline Retail and E-Commerce Operations
Personal Shopping Assistants
Klarna Debuts a More Personalized Shopping Feature Dubbed Ask Klarna
AI-Powered Inventory Tech
Google Cloud is Introducing AI-Powered Inventory Tracking Technology
Offline Shopping Campaigns
'Shop Offline' Helps People Rediscover the Joy of Real-World Shopping
Taiwan-Based AI Shopping Carts
Innolux Debuts a Smart Shopping Cart at FamiSuper Stores
Same-Day Grocer Delivery Benefits
Instacart and SNAP Will Offer Same-Day Delivery for Recipients
AI-Powered Search Features
Shop Premium Outlets Enhances its Online Shopping with AI-Powered Tools
Home Decor Mobile Apps
Pottery Barn Officially Launches its Mobile App and New Design
AR-Enabled Google Tools
Google Launches a Slew of New Features for Search, Shopping, and Maps
Video-Powered eCommerce Services
Apple Shop with a Specialist Over Video Supports At-Home Shopping
Micro Self-Service Checkout Kiosks
The 365 Retail Markets MM6 Mini Kiosk is Versatile
Virtual Convenience Store Concepts
Aldi Launches a Virtual Convenience Store Called Aldi Express
App-Powered Checkout Stores
MAPCO Opened its First Checkout-Free Convenience Store
Location-Based QSR Technology
Chipotle is Integrating Location-Based Technology Into its App
AR-Powered Shopping Apps
Walmart Releases a New Augmented Reality Feature for its iOS Application
Lifestyle Sales Expansions
At Home Launches Upgrades to Same-Day Delivery and a New Mobile App
Compact Automated Retail Checkouts
The OneView Self-Checkout Offers Advanced Features
Home Decor Apps
Pottery Barn Kids and Pottery Barn Teen Launch Mobile Apps for E-Commerce Sales
Seamless Automotive Shopping Apps
Awin Group of Dealerships Launches Mobile App to Enhance CX
Dating App-Themed Store Experiences
Tinder Opens Up a SwipeMart Store Location in Tokyo
Retailer-Backed Holiday Experiences
J. Crew Launches a New AI-Powered Holiday Experience
Money-Saving Grocery Apps
Schnuck Markets and Upside Launch a Co-Branded App for Rewards
Minimally Designed Store Openings
London Opens its Door at the New Self-Portrait Store in Chelsea
Video Call Shopping Services
Apple's Specialist over Video Service Enhances Personalization
AR-Based Eyewear Try-Ons
Amazon Fashion and Snapchat Partner on an AR Eyewear Shopping Lens
Summer-Ready Boutique Shops
Urban Outfitters Unveils a New Dress Boutique Pop Up Opening in April
Revamped Grocery Loyalty Apps
Tesco Unveils the New and Improved Digital Clubcard and Grocery App
Inclusive Try-On Programs
Perfect Corp. Connects Beauty Brands with Digital Beauty Innovation
Inventory Management Systems
Sprouts Integrates Instacart's FoodStorm Into its Management System
Comprehensive Restaurant Overview Apps
Toast Debuts a Digital App to Manage Restaurant Operations