For over a year, MediaMarktSaturn has been looking for Retailtech Hub for innovations for retail. The company is now deploying the solutions of two participants in the startup program in the wild.
Since last Friday, customers at the Saturn store in the Neuperlach shopping center PEP have been able to purchase individual products directly from the shelf without waiting at the checkout. During the pilot project, customers have the option of paying for certain products via mobile phone, deactivating the anti-theft device, and then leaving the store directly with the product. The technology behind it comes from the Munich startup RapitagThe electronics retailer wants to find out how mobile payment is received in Germany and, on the other hand, test self-checkout for higher-priced products with anti-theft protection.
Previously, Saturn tested the solution from the British startup MishiPay—also a participant in the Retailtech Hubs—in a pop-up store in Innsbruck from March to May 2018. 30,000 visitors used the cashierless electronics store during this time. Martin Wild, Chief Innovation Officer at MediaMarktSaturn, says:
"Nobody likes standing in a checkout line. But there isn't yet a 'one' solution for cashierless payment. That's why we're testing different innovative systems."
Customers who want to try out cashierless shopping need the "SATURN Smartpay" app. After registration, they can then unlock the product security via Bluetooth and pay for the product by credit card or PayPal.
MediaMarktSaturn wants to stay in touch with customers
The electronics retailer is also working with a Munich-based startup in e-commerce, which was previously based in Retailtech Hub: Customers of the online shops of Media Markt and Saturn receive information on the status of their orders using the cloud solution from ParcelLabThe service also suggests short-term delivery alternatives and offers a direct opportunity for feedback. MediaMarkt and Saturn aim to increase customer satisfaction with their purchases and maintain contact with their customers even after the purchase, rather than outsourcing communication to logistics service providers.
ParcelLab CEO Tobias Buxhoidt says:
"Most online stores focus primarily on the shopping experience of their webshop, but the last mile to the customer after the order is often completely neglected. We firmly believe that our solution creates real added value for both customers and retailers. The customer is informed in detail about the status of their order, and the retailer receives an additional communication channel to foster customer loyalty."
