Spotlight on innovation: technological eye candy in the halls

30.03.2017

EuroShop 2017 presented a vast variety of technological innovations. Exhibitors introduced POS solutions, which will impact design, day-to-day operations and even customer service. We are presenting some of these highlights in our photo gallery.

3D printer for custom design

Picture: 3-D-printer; copyright: beta-web

They are still newcomers in the retail sector: 3D printers. The Massivit Company brought one of these devices to EuroShop. Visitors had a close-up view of how the machine gradually applies millimeter upon millimeter of plastic on an object to be printed. The screen next to the machine showed the printing progress. The finished objects are ultralight and able to render any form. This makes them highly attractive for visual merchandising on the sales floor and in trade show construction, as this lets users produce custom designs.

Easily restock new products with rotating shelves

photo: rotating shelves ; copyright: beta-web

What supermarket isn’t familiar with this problem: shelves have to be tediously restocked with products from the backside. The Easyfill exhibiting company solved this problem with its first-in, first-out “RotoShelf” shelving solution, which is especially well-suited for refrigerated display cases and cold storage rooms. The interior of the display case rotates, making the backside of the shelf accessible and allowing the products to now be restocked from behind.

Refrigerated lockers are the new trend

Similar to the popular package stations of the Deutsche Post (the German Postal Service), the chilled “cool lockers” made by the Locktec Company let customers store fresh produce and frozen foods. This allows retailers to offer an additional service: customers order groceries online or directly in the store and are able to pick them up at a later point from the lockers.

Hands-on cognitive computing

picture: Man in front of a display; copyright: beta-web

With its "Watson Window" digital store window, IBM showcased how a display is able to recommend personalized products based on a photo and the dress style of customers. Visitors were able to interactively experience the capabilities of IBM Cognitive Computing in real-time with products provided by IBM’s client C&A.

Virtual shelves assist in customer product selection

photo: woman holding wine bottles; copyright: beta-web

What type of wine would you like? The Portuguese exhibitor PLM introduced several solutions for the POS. Among them is a virtual shelf where visitors were able to take out a stylized bottle of wine underneath a display. It automatically offered a product description. The visual presentation was very attractive and clearly laid out.

Easily restock new products with rotating shelves

Bild: rotating shelves; copyright: beta-web

What supermarket isn’t familiar with this problem: shelves have to be tediously restocked with products from the backside. The Easyfill exhibiting company solved this problem with its first-in, first-out “RotoShelf” shelving solution, which is especially well-suited for refrigerated display cases and cold storage rooms. The interior of the display case rotates, making the backside of the shelf accessible and allowing the products to now be restocked from behind.

The new consultants: Robots are no longer a vision of the future

Visitors of this year’s EuroShop were able to encounter several robots throughout the corridors of the exhibition halls. Robots made by MetraLabs are designed for retail store use, for example. The robots escort customers, guide them through the aisles or provide additional customer services.

A "parking space" for your dog

Picture: Dog in a box; copyright: beta-web

Dogs are not allowed in a supermarket. That is why many dog owners have to either put a leash on their faithful four-legged companion and leave it outside the door or maybe even in the car. The DoggyBox by AlkuTec gives customers the option to keep their dogs safe and with adequate ventilation outside the store.

A planning tool for visual merchandising

picture: man holding tablet; copyright: beta-web

Would you like to consistently stage your products on the sales floor in every one of your stores? The retail planning tool by the Visual Retailing Company makes it possible. After positioning the items at the store, this solution can also be used to manage in-store pictures and optimize processes.

Author: Natascha Mörs; EuroCIS
first published at iXtenso.com