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
Personal Shopping Apps
Aritzia's New App Delivers Boutique Shopping to Your Smartphone
Spatial AI Shopping Technologies
VusionGroup EdgeSense AI Immerses Shoppers
Automated Retail Concepts
VenHub Smart Stores Use Ai & Robotics to Redefine a Shopping Experience
Grocery-Inspired Beauty Pop-Ups
The Markup Marché by The Ordinary Challenges Industry Buzzwords
Social Media-Inspired Retail Apps
Depop Outfits Lets Users Create Moodboards and Collages
AI Grocery Assistants
Albertsons Debuts Conversational Tool For Faster Grocery Trips
AI Beauty Shopping Apps
Amorepacific Introduces a ChatGPT-Based Shopping App
Experiential Convenience Stores
FamilyMart Announced IP-Centered Store Experiences in Japan
Shoppable TV Ads
Samsung and Amazon Enable Remote-Based Shopping Directly on TV
Hyper-Personalized AI Shopping Tech
OTB Group Embraces Hyper-Personalization with Google Cloud
Curated Store Concepts
A New Target Soho Store Opens in New York with Design-First Looks
AI-Driven Shoppable Catwalks
Topshop and THG Studios are Hosting a Next-Gen Fashion Experience
Luxury Eyewear Pop-Ups
Prada Opens an Immersive Eyewear Boutique at The Grove
Dynamic Running-Focused Retail Concepts
Nordstrom Debuts Nike Running @ the Corner
Smart Fashion Management Apps
'Acloset' Interprets Wardrobes, Provides Recommendations
Community-Driven Shopping Experiences
A TikTok Shop Pop-Up is Coming to Westfield Stratford
Digitally Enhanced Shopping Experiences
The Ray-Ban Boutique Opened at Royalmount Shopping Complex
AI Chat Shopping Systems
Shopify Brings Retail to ChatGPT
Faux Food Pop-Ups
MoMA Design Store Unveils an Immersive 'MoMA Mart' Pop-Up for NYC
Experiential K-Beauty Retail
Yepoda Opens an Immersive Flagship Store in Seoul
Fashion-Branded Café Experiences
Vogue Blends Retail with Immersive Hospitality Spaces
AI-Powered Inventory Systems
Iceland Launches invent.ai Platform
Autonomous Smart Store Installations
VenHub Global and Circa Introduced the VenHub Smart Store
Virtual Footwear Try-Ons
Google's AI-Powered Try-On Tech Helps with Online Shoe Shopping
Entertainment-Powered Retail Experiences
AT&T Brings Toy Story 5 to Interactive Store Activations
Flagship Value Fashion
Primark expands affordable fashion with a major Manhattan flagship store
Generative AI Retail Strategies
Kroger & Google Cloud Enhance Growth and Personalization
Rewards-Based Beauty Devices
Sephora Expanded its Rewards Catalog With High Tech Skincare Tools
AI-First Shopping Experiences
Walmart and OpenAI are Partnering to Simplify Purchases
Immersive Video Shopping Experiences
ASOS Live Blends Creator-Led Content with Real-Time Shopping
Upgraded AI-Powered Grocer Platforms
Retail Insight Significantly Enhances Its WasteInsight Tool
AI-Driven Fragrance Concept Stores
My Scent Edit Offers Digital Consultations & an AI Photo Booth
Grocery-Inspired SPF Pop-Ups
Beauty of Joseon's Morning Moisturizer SPF Grocery is Experiential
Connected Grocer Shopping Carts
The New Amazon Dash Cart is Arriving at Whole Foods Market
Autonomous Inventory Robots
B&R Stores Introduced Its Shelf-Scanning Robot
Experiential Brand Stores
New Era Creates Interactive Retail Space With Custom Cap Design
AI-Powered Grocery Store Tools
Afresh Implements Its AI-Driven Inventory Management Platform
In-Store Visual Assistance Programs
Be My Eyes and Tesco are Making Shopping More Accessible
AI Retail Forecasts
Experts Outline how AI will Reshape Commerce By 2026
AI Shopping Integrations
Sephora’s ChatGPT App Enables AI-Powered Product Discovery
Beauty Retail Delivery Partnerships
Ulta Beauty Has Added 1500 Stores to the Uber Eats Marketplace
AI-Powered Product Discovery Tools
The Vitamin Shoppe's Shoppe Advisor Supports In-Store Education
Shelf-Scanning Robot Services
ShelfOptix Helps Retailers Access Insights with a Subscription
Freshness-Focused Perishable Goods Tools
Simbe Recently Enhanced Its Data Analytics Platform
AI Retail Concierge Systems
Puma’s In-Store AI Assistant Offers Multilingual Product Guidance
Cosmetics-Focused Mobile Retail Apps
Clarins and Merkle Collaborate on a Mobile Application
AI-Powered Shopping Features
John Lewis Launches a TikTok Shop Trial
Mobile Beauty Pop-Ups
Henkel’s göt2b Debuts a Citywide Mobile Beauty Experience
AI-Powered Closet Experiences
Google Shopping Aligned Try On in Search with an Anticipated Sequel
Accessible Beauty Consultations
Walmart’s Beauty Experts Offer Personalized In-Store Guidance
AI-Powered Shoppable Runways
Topshop and THG Studios Hosted a Front Row AI Experience
AI-Powered Personalized Shopping Features
Instacart AI Solutions are Optimized for Grocers
AI Retail Experiences
RELEX Solutions Uses AI to Elevate In-Store Customer Journeys
CPG-Focused Innovation Launchpads
Albertsons Companies is Running Its Innovation Launchpad
Omnichannel Grocer Experiences
Instacart and Allegiance Retail Services Expand Their Partnership
Compact IKEA Retail Spaces
IKEA Launches Smaller Stores Focused on Quick Visits and Essentials
AI-Driven Retail Supply Chains
Dollar Tree Uses AI and Cloud Systems to Improve Inventory
AI-Powered Shopping Features
Target is Making Seasonal Gifting Easier, Personalized and More Fun
Shoppable Discovery Commerce
SmartCommerce and Ahold Delhaize USA Connect Content to Carts
AI Beauty Apps
Refresh App Combines Hair, Makeup and Styling in One AI Platform
AI-Assisted Retailer Websites
Lightspeed Showroom Gives Brick-and-Mortar Stores an Online Presence
Virtual Try-On Tools
Clothing Virtual Try On Shows Realistic Outfits For Online & Retail Shopping
Smart Retail Technology Expansions
A2Z Cust2Mate Secures Advertising Agreements with Major Brands
AI-Enabled Personalized Retail Experiences
Honeywell Implements an AI-Driven Retail System
Emotionally Intelligent Retailer Platforms
JK Tech Spotlights Its Artificial Intelligence Platform
Curated Discovery Stores
The Shelf Spotlights Emerging Food, Drink and Wellness Brands
AI-Assisted Pricing Systems
Academy Sports + Outdoors Launches Its Dynamic Pricing Feature
AI-Native POS Systems
Tote.ai Supports Fuel and Convenience Stores
Urban Food Hubs
M&S Expands City Stores with Bakery, Coffee, Sushi, and Fresh Food
AI-Powered Grocery Apps
Tre'dish's Transparent Pricing Offers Real-Time, Geo-Targeted Comparisons
Co-Branded Shopper App Partnerships
Grubhub and Instacart Partnered to Offer a Wider Selection
Social-First Retail Commerce
Shoezone expands TikTok Shop through creator-led shopping
Connected Supermarket Platforms
Carrefour and Vusion Loot to the Future of Supermarket Retail
AI-Powered Retail Platforms
Target Introduced a Mobile App Rebuild with AI Coding Companions
AI Checkout Kiosks
Retailers Embrace AI Vision To Speed Self-Checkout Lines
Mobile Retail Terminals
Toshiba Launches the TCx M7 for Flexible In-Store Checkout
Autonomous Retail Merchandising Platforms
Retail Express Uses AI to Automate Pricing and Discounts
Compact Urban Grocery Retail
Whole Foods Expanded Daily Shop Stores into Three U.S. Cities
Novel Multi-Brand Retail Experiences
Lightspeed Commerce Debuts Multi-Brand Shopping and Ordering
Conversational Grocery Shopping
Instacart and ChatGPT Now Offer an Instant Checkout Experience
Experience-Enhancing POS Retail Apps
MomentScience Reveals MomentApps
Gamified Grocery Activations
The Asda Check-Out Challenge Leveraged a Nostalgic Game Show Format
Smart Mirror Platforms
loook.ai Helps Brands and Retailers Transform Retail with AR Mirrors
In-Store Return Kiosks
Save Mart And Amazon Simplify Box Free In Store Returns
Experience-Enabled Franchises
Magnolia Soap & Bath Co. Uses Square to Scale Retail Experiences
Ai-Powered Freshness-Monitoring Grocery Platforms
Afresh Expands Its Service Coverage
Retail Tech Revamps
Claire's Invests in Modern POS and Data Integration
Nationwide Digital Grocery Experiences
ALDI U.S. Partners with Instacart’s Storefront Pro
Mobile-First POS Systems
Boot Barn Launches Its Mobile POS Platform
Digital Twin Retail Technologies
Hanshow and Microsoft Explore the Store Digital Twin Technology
Accessible Self-Checkouts
Target Launched a New Experience for Guests with Disabilities
Curated Resale Storefronts
eBay's The NYC Edit Storefront Shares Tastemaker Selections
Immersive Tech Retail Experiences
The Latest Xiaomi Store in London Showcases Tech and Lifestyle
Compact In-Retail Designs
IKEA Shop-In-Shop Adds Home Planning with Tech in a Compact Space
Autonomous Grocery Platforms
AI-powered systems automate inventory, pricing, and store operations
Expanded Tech Marketplaces
Best Buy Unveils a Digital Marketplace with New Possibilities
AI-Native Beauty Commerce
L'Oréal Brings Virtual Try-Ons and Product Discovery into ChatGPT
Boutique Grocery Designs
The Meadow Lane Store Introduces a Refined Retail Concept in Tribeca
Shelf-Less Retail Stores
Goody Goody Liquor Uses Robots and QR Codes to Replace Shelving
Hybrid Beauty Discovery
Ulta Beauty Finds Gen Alpha Blends AI Tools with In-Store Shopping
Grocery Shelf Edge Pilots
Pricer Piloted Its Pricer Avenue™ Platform with East of England Co-Op
Social-First Beauty Retailers
Sally Beauty Joins TikTok Shop
Agentic Shopping Platforms
Hey Savi Uses AI to Search, Compare and Buy Fashion
Interactive Retailer Screen Installations
Looma Deploys Its In-Store Digital Media System at BJ's
Grocery Surplus Discount Programs
Kroger Launches the Cost-Effective Flashfood App Pilot
Conversational Visual Shopping
Amazon Lens Live Matches Products Through Real-Time Scanning
Agentic Retail Platforms
Levi Strauss And Microsoft Develop Unified AI Super Agent
In-Store Creator Commerce
Mac Cosmetics Turns Retail Employees into Live-Streaming Creators
Expanded Visual Search Features
Amazon Unveiled Its Visual Search Capabilities in Shopping App
Grocery Store Accessibility Models
Tesco Enhances Its Self-Service Checkout Experience
AI-Powered Try-On Shopping Features
The 'Doppl' App Now Features a Discovery Feed
Automated Micro-Grocery Retail Tech
GrocerIQ Holdings is Working on a Physical AI Technology
Streamlined Payment Integrations
365 Retail Markets Incorporates VisionLink to Its Smart Stores
Digital Shelf Label Systems
Walmart Introduces the New Digital Shelf Labels Nationwide
AI Grocery Ordering
Grocery Outlet Deploys Afresh Across More Than 500 Stores
AI Store Assistants
xPilot Helps Retailers Make Proactive Moves with Digital Twin Technology
AI Retail Infrastructure Platforms
Huawei Expands Intelligent Retail Systems Across Europe
Retail AI Assistants
Retail AI Council Develops AI Tailored to Industry-Specific Needs
Perishable Food Management Platforms
Afresh Technologies Debuts Fresh Store Suite
Retail Beverage Experiences
The Paper Store Uses Custom Drink Stations to Boost Engagement
Community Hub Convenience Stores
Co-op turns local stores into delivery and service hubs
AI Voice Ordering Systems
Casey’s General Stores Uses Conversational AI to Handle Orders
First-Of-Its-Kind Digital Coupons Programs
Inmar Intelligence Partners with bp and Axonet
AI-Native Store Research
Vusion and Qualcomm Released the AI-Native Store™ White Paper
Future-Facing Food Retailer Ranges
The Ocado Future of Food Edit Aisle Spotlights Modern Varieties
Retail-Style Hotel Commerce
Aven Hospitality Embeds E-Commerce Features into Hotel Journeys
Ad-Friendly Vertical Video Feeds
Instacart Debuts the Immersive Feed Feature on Its Platform
In-Store Ad Networks
ISM Powers Programmatic Advertising Across Retail Locations
Digital Shelf Edge Labels
James Hall & Co. Rolls Out the SOLUM Electronic Shelf Edge Labels
AI-Powered Superapps
Grab Introduces AI Features That Simplify Decisions and Automate Daily Tasks
In-Store Retail Media Networks
Raley's Expands Shopper Advertising Through Grocery TV
Experience-Focused Retail Carts
Target Redesigned Shopping Carts for Comfort and Convenience
AI-Powered Wardrobe Management Apps
'ClosetIQ' Analyzes a User's Style to Find Outfits
Marketplace Showrooms
StockX Combines Shopping, Seller Services and Community Events in New York
Campus Convenience Hubs
Co-op Expands Self-Service Stores Across Russell Group Universities
Conversational Shopping Assistants
Macy’s New Ask Macy’s Chatbot Launches on Gemini
Modular Assisted Checkout Systems
Scotmid Co-op Deploys the New 4POS Assisted Checkout
iPad Vision Self-Checkout Systems
VisioLab Launches Its AI-Powered iPad Checkout Interface
Agentic Local Stock Finders
Google AI Mode Calls Stores To Locate Items
AI-Enabled POS Features
Pilot Standardizes Operations With Gilbarco Veeder-Root POS Platform