5 minutes
Economic headwinds affect retailers’ razor-thin margins, lead to a more significant split of shopping baskets between different retailers, and more price-and-environmental-conscious shoppers. Over the last months, the retail world has turned upside down. So how do retailers keep momentum in times of infinite change?
In this edition of Things we see in retail & loyalty, you will discover how retailers take action to protect their margins and meet shoppers wherever they are – from the metaverse to TikTok. Next to these movements, retailers transform the food system by welcoming plant-based products and growing produce directly in stores. Adapting to shoppers' behavior is clearly a sign of the times!
Retailers taking measures to combat energy price rises
Coop in Denmark, E.Leclerc in France, and Lidl in Switzerland are introducing measures to counteract the rising energy bills. Coop Denmark has turned down the temperature in all the group's stores and at its head office to limit the increase in energy bills and reduce energy consumption. The Danish retailer aims to set the temperature at 19 degrees across its operations, down from the current 21 degrees. Meanwhile, Lidl Switzerland will immediately switch off the lightning of the large Lidl logos on stores across Switzerland outside of their opening hours. The retailer will also implement further measures that are currently being prepared, while employees will be further trained about energy saving. E.Leclerc in France has also announced it will reduce lighting in stores to support the energy transition.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Billa launches new plant-based store concept: Billa Pflanzilla
Austrian supermarket chain Billa has launched a new store concept, Billa Pflanzilla, which focuses only on plant-based products, and boasts more than 2,500 SKUs. The move comes as the popularity of plant-based foods continues to rise in Austria. The new store consists of over 200 square meters, and specially trained staff are on hand to help shoppers with any questions about the product range.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Albert grows produce directly in-store
Albert is the first retailer in the Czech Republic to test a hydroponic system that grows herbs and leafy vegetables in-store. The hydroponic garden is based in Albert’s hypermarket in Prague, where plants are grown under special conditions and in ideal light. Hydroponics allows cultivation anywhere and offers an organic solution full of nutrients, with no soil necessary, and no sprays nor GMOs needed. During this month, the garden will grow herbs and salads such as basil varieties, mint, dill, and red leaf lettuce. Shoppers can also purchase these items and see how it’s grown within the supermarket.
Source: aholddelhaize.com
Carrefour Poland and PepsiCo launch eRobots pilot promotional program
Carrefour and PepsiCo have started a pilot promotional program in Poland using modern self-propelled eRobots. Two devices selling Pepsi drinks and Lay's chips can already be found in Carrefour stores located in Westfield Arkadia and Galeria Wileńska shopping centers in Warsaw. Robots interact with shoppers and make the purchasing process more attractive, improving the shopping experience for Polish consumers.
Source: wiadomoscihandlowe.pl
Starbucks to offer NFT-based loyalty program
As one of the first companies to integrate NFTs with an industry-leading loyalty program at scale, Starbucks will create an accessible Web3 community that will enable new ways to engage with members and partners (employees). The new Starbucks Odyssey experience allows members to earn and buy digital collectible stamps (NFTs) that will unlock access to new, immersive coffee experiences.
Source: stories.starbucks.com
Tesco creates viral hit with ‘voice of the checkout’ TikTok competition
Tesco has launched a ‘voice of the checkout’ competition across social media platform TikTok, calling for shoppers to enter for the chance to become the new voice of Tesco self-checkout tills. The competition was announced on Tesco’s TikTok page and was its first post on the popular video-based social media platform. The competition – which has been shared using the hashtag #TescoVoiceOfCheckout has already captured the attention of TikTok’s users, driving more than 83,000 users to follow the account, and the post gaining more than 900,000 views.
Source: etailgazette.co.uk. Watch the official video on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tesco/video/7147620043814161670
Kaufland Bulgaria encourages creativity and self-expression through Fixeez
Kaufland capitalized on the popularity of emojis by offering a range of 26 re-stickable patches as giveaways in its Bulgarian stores. With their cool fabric look, the Fixeez quickly brightened up kids’ clothes, backpacks, phone cases, and other items.
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