These retailers and brands are leading the way in providing technology and experiences that are one step ahead of their customers’ expectations.

1. COAT Paints

Hullabalook and COAT Paints have announced a partnership that aims to simplify the paint buying journey.  

Using Hullabalook’s technology, Colour Visualiser lets shoppers explore different paint colour combinations and instantly visualise them on their own walls.

They can choose the colours they like and then add Peel & Stick paint swatches to their basket. 

2. Pinterest

Pinterest has expanded its augmented reality Try On tool to cover eyeshadow, with products from Lancome, YSL, Urban Decay, and NYX Cosmetics.

3. Coop

Coop has become the first grocery chain in Sweden to collaborate with recycling app Bower. 

This means that shoppers can buy Coop's own goods under the Änglamark, Xtra and Coop brands and earn double Bower points in the process.

4. John Lewis

Following a trial, John Lewis & Partners is rolling out 3D visualisation technology from Marxent for home design appointments.

Customers attending either an in-store or virtual appointment will be able to recreate their rooms digitally with the same room dimensions, doors, and windows in a 2D or 3D image. 

5. Amazon

Amazon is set to expand its Boston Tech Hub in the US and create more than 3,000 new corporate and technology jobs over the next several years. 

The roles will support teams across the company, including Alexa, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Amazon Robotics, and Amazon Pharmacy. 

6. Wickes

Team ITG and its partner Emerald Thinking have been appointed to build a ‘Missions and Motivations Engine’ for Wickes in 2021.

This will interpret customer inputs from a variety of first, second and third-party data sources to turn individual content, product and category engagement interest into whole basket recommendations. 

7. Sainsbury’s

Samsung Next food technology platform, Whisk, has added Sainsbury’s to its ecosystem.

Shoppers can now turn any recipe from Whisk’s network of publishers, brands, and apps into a shopping list and purchase for Click and Collect or delivery from Sainsbury’s.

8. Edeka

Edeka Rhein-Ruhr, part of Germany’s largest supermarket chain, Edeka, is equipping its new distribution centre, located in Oberhausen-Waldteich, with a robotic order picking system from Cimcorp. 

9. AmorePacific

South Korean beauty group AmorePacific has developed AI-based Lip Factory by Colour Tailor technology, which allows customers to design and purchase customised lipstick colours.

An on-site dispensing system can then manufacture the recommended colour immediately. It is capable of producing more than 2,000 lip shades. 

10. Ikea

Ikea has opened a “first of its kind” Planning Studio in Singapore, featuring 3D simulation technology.

This is a smaller store where shoppers can find home furnishing advice and expertise to help design their ideal spaces.

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