To promote innovation in the retail sector, EDEKA, MC, Żabka and Shufersal teamed up to challenge technology start-ups to come up with cutting-edge solutions aimed at improving the retail sector. The 4th edition of "Disrupt Retail - Call for Technology" program promises to elevate retail to the next level.
Market leaders in their respective countries, the retailers are accepting applications until February 4th at https://disruptretail.tech/. The collaboration with the companies will begin in March 2024.
The startups may benefit from exclusive mentoring from key sector experts from the four retail companies and may see their proposals implemented in an ecosystem that encompasses millions of families, across thousands of shops, nationally and internationally.
Together, the retailers represent an ecosystem of around 22 000 stores, 500 000 associates, and €80 billion in revenue.
In this 4th Edition, retailers are looking for solutions with a special focus on 3 main areas: In-store operations, targeting in-store processes, elevating employee productivity and enhancing overall shopper experiences; Retail Media, exploring the opportunities of this new revenue stream; and Data & Customer Insights, to harness, analyse and convert data into actionable insights.
All 4 retailers are experienced in working with startups and looking to establish valuable relationships to explore new technologies. Examples are the successful collaborations between EDEKA and Captana (SES-Imagotag), Shufersal and Shopic, MC and Automaise, and Żabka and Aifi.
For Christoph Diekmeyer, CEO EDEKA Digital GmbH: “At EDEKA Digital it is our approach to develop IT solutions that create extraordinary experiences for our customers. We are eager to network with partners from all around the world to face challenges with cutting-edge technology. With joining "Disrupt Retail" we are confident to find innovative solutions and partners for co-creation to shape the Future of Retail.”
For Pedro Côrte-Real, director of BIT, MC's information systems division, “Innovation, co-operation and co-creation are key to designing new solutions and reaching the next level in retail, for the benefit of our customers, employees and partners. With the 4th edition of 'Disrupt Retail', and together with our partners EDEKA (Germany), Żabka (Poland) and Shufersal (Israel), we want to challenge and help startups to implement their pilot projects in a real context, jointly designing the future of retail."
For Karol Gajewicz, Head of Venture Studio: “Żabka is a leader in the modern convenience in Poland, for 25 years responding to the needs of millions of customers every day.
The Żabka Group’s Venture Studio search for new solutions and partners that give prospects for accelerating the transformation of our convenience ecosystem.
We have joined forces with partners in Disrupt Retail Program because it allows us to reach a wide group of innovators, and gives creators of innovation the opportunity to present their solutions to retail leaders in the region.”
For Ori Waterman, CEO of Shufersal: "Innovation holds a position of utmost importance within Shufersal, deeply ingrained in our organizational DNA and woven into the very fabric of our corporate culture. It serves as a guiding principle, steering our company towards pioneering solutions and transformative ideas. Shufersal's commitment to innovation isn't just a value; it's a defining trait that shapes our identity, drives our progress, and ensures that we continue to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of the retail industry."
The EDEKA Digital GmbH, EDDI for short, is the IT subsidiary of the EDEKA Group and thus represents the national IT competence center.
More than 600 employees at locations in Hamburg, Mannheim, Berlin and Cluj-Napoca (Romania) develop, implement and support EDEKA's digital business processes across all three trade levels (retail, wholesale and EDEKA headquarters).
In addition, EDEKA Digital is the central innovation and transformation driver for progressive IT products and services to significantly advance the IT strategy of the EDEKA group.
ABOUT MC
MC is the food retail market leader in Portugal with a number of distinctive business segments, which offer a varied range of high quality products at the best prices:
Continente (hypermarkets), Continente Modelo and Continente Bom Dia (convenience supermarkets), Meu Super (franchised supermarkets), Bagga (cafeterias), Go Natural (healthy food supermarkets and restaurants), Note! (book shops/stationery), ZU (dogs and cats products and services), Wells (health, well-being and eye care) and Dr. Well’s (dental and aesthetic medicine clinics).
ABOUT Żabka
Żabka Group is the ultimate convenience ecosystem that aims to make people’s lives easier. We accompany consumers at every moment of the day, freeing up their time through the possibility of convenient grocery shopping, having a hot meal on the go, sending a package, withdrawing cash or taking advantage of a dietary catering with delivery. We are one of the most recognizable brands in Poland, with over 3 million customers using our services daily.
ABOUT Shufersal
Shufersal, Israel's retail leader since 1958, operates over 400 nationwide stores, offering unmatched convenience, quality, and value. Our unwavering commitment to innovation drives seamless in-store and online shopping, from groceries to electronics. With cutting-edge technology, sustainable practices, and customer-centric solutions, Shufersal pioneers innovation in retail, redefining the shopping experience.
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