Ahold Delhaize has announced a strategic partnership with Hanshow Technology to develop and implement digital in-store applications for better customer experience.
As part of the partnership, Hanshow will supply electronic shelf labels (ESL) to all Ahold Delhaize’s European brands in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Greece, Czech Republic, Serbia, and Romania.
Electronic shelf labels allow customers to access product information easily and pay through their mobile phones or Near Field Communication (NFC) cards.
It also facilitates automated price reductions for items close to their expiration date.
'Enhance Customer Experience'
"The digital applications we will develop through this partnership will enhance the customer experience in our stores and allow us to operate more efficiently," said Wouter Kolk, CEO Ahold Delhaize Europe and Indonesia.
"Hanshow offers best in class in-store applications and know-how, and we have been very pleased with their contribution to the mobile phone scan and pay service ‘YesWeScan’ at Delhaize and with the first wave of installed ESL at Albert Heijn.
"This is an important step for Ahold Delhaize and our local brands to offer an easy and attractive shopping experience to our customers."
'Electronic Shelf Labels'
In 2018, the companies collaborated on the deployment of electronic shelf labels in Delhaize Belgium and Albert Heijn outlets in the Netherlands.
The strategic partnership is an extension of this collaboration, Ahold Delhaize said, aimed at allowing the companies to collectively develop new digital solutions for all Ahold Delhaize’s European brands.
The partners will also set up a Joint Innovation Lab to develop new techniques like frictionless payment, in-store navigation, and in-store advertising.
'Fundamental Transformation'
Executive chairman and CEO of Hanshow Technology, Shiguo Hou, said, "We are grateful for the trust Ahold Delhaize has placed in us and appreciate its vision and consistent commitment to driving change.
"Retail stores are undergoing a fundamental transformation as digital and mobile reshape the customer journey, bringing together customers, store associates, products and the store itself."
© 2019 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
