Nowadays the retail industry is constantly changing, literally every day. More and more retailers use cutting-edge technology in order to automate some processes and improve customer service.
We have made up this article to tell you about the most unusual stores, off-beat smart mirrors and fitting rooms, AR, and much more. Many of the projects that once started have been discontinued, since some robotics gave way to AI software. However, that doesn’t make the mentioned technologies less exciting. Besides, those discontinued projects are part of the history of how robotics technology develops in retail, evolving with new tech stack upgrades. You’ll be able to see how some of the retailers changed their minds about where robotics applications would be most efficient and which solutions did stick longer than others.
Scanners
The first cashier-less Amazon Go store was opened in Seattle in January 2018. A customer downloaded the smartphone app Amazon Go to shop in this store. The program generated a QR code, which allowed a customer to enter the store under their account. Shoppers were controlled by dozens of cameras all around the store. Once a visitor took an item, the system automatically added it to a visitor’s virtual shopping cart. The system charged the client’s Amazon Go account for their purchases.
In early 2026, Amazon closed all of its Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh stores to focus on Whole Foods Market and grocery delivery. Yet, the technology behind the stores, called Just Walk Out, did not go away. It now operates in more than 360 third-party locations across five countries. Amazon also uses it in the breakrooms of more than 40 North American fulfillment centers.
Hointer, a men’s clothing shop, offered clients a unique shopping experience. Visitors didn’t even have to waste their time looking for the right size. The special mobile app allowed the client to scan a QR code which was printed on the label of every item. A sales consultant would bring the clothing in the correct size. This was possible because the client’s body measurements were already entered into the app.
American brand Levi’s in collaboration with Intel tested a near-real-time inventory monitoring system in San Francisco in 2015. The Intel developers team designed this system, and it was called the Intel Retail Sensor Platform. The system is now part of Smart Retail Solution (SRS) package. It uses radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. RFID tags are embedded in all items in the store. When the particular scanner determines a shortage of specific items, it generates an alert on the staff apps.
BJ’s Wholesale Club, American membership-based warehouse retailer, uses Simbe Tally robots that move along the store aisles and scan shelves several times a day to track inventory and prices in real time. The robots use computer vision to identify stock shortages, check product placement and detect pricing errors.
The same robotic technology was spotted at American grocery retail chain Kroger and brands like Carrefour, Giant, Giant Eagle, and Schnucks. Kroger also uses robots developed with Brain Corp technology for inventory monitoring.
Tesco has been testing autonomous Tally robots to check product prices, shelf placement and stock availability at its hypermarket in Ware, Hertfordshire, UK. After some time, the retailer extended the trial beyond it to a small number of additional locations.
Smart fitting rooms
The Ralph Lauren Polo store on Fifth Avenue (New York) had placed smart mirrors, designed by Oak Labs, in their fitting rooms. These mirrors helped customers adjust the lighting in the fitting room. This allows shoppers to look at things up close in different lights. If the specific model doesn’t fit a customer’s style, a visitor can ask a sales consultant to bring other items.
Rebecca Minkoff smart fitting rooms worked under the same principle. Moreover, this brand decided to upgrade not only fitting rooms but the entire shop too. Rebecca Minkoff trading floors were endowed with large display screens, which help customers to find the required items and “send” them straight to a fitting room. Thus, there is no need for wandering around the store. A sales consultant would bring the requested clothes to a fitting room.
Neiman Marcus store, San Francisco, has been known for its unique Memory Mirror. This device is not just a mirror, it is actually a video screen and camera that allows customers to see outfits from 360 degrees, and compare clothing options side-by-side, because this mirror remembers what a visitor has already tried on.
Guess, in partnership with Alibaba, presented a smart mirror based on AI technology. A customer can create his/her own look with the help of this device. Thus, a buyer could choose one item, for example, a shirt, while a smart mirror will suggest pants or a skirt, which coordinate with this shirt. All the items are endowed with RFID tags, which helps the mirror to identify what items a client has chosen. Accordingly, this will help the system to suggest additional options.
Mobile apps and AR
Swedish IKEA was one of the first retailers to implement AR. They designed the catalog of goods on the basis of this technology, so customers can visualize how the new furniture will fit with the style of their interior. All a client has to do is to put this paper catalog on the spot where he would like to see the new furniture and point a smartphone (with a special app downloaded) camera at it. A customer would see a 3D model instead of a catalog image.
French hardware store Leroy Merlin presented a similar app. A client can match different furniture or accessories in real-time. A customer can purchase the item they like right in the app.
The chain of personal care and beauty stores, Sephora, has developed the innovative service Virtual Artist, which allows testing of thousands of lipstick colors. This service is an addition to the existing Sephora to Go app.
Converse, U.S. famous shoe brand, launched its mobile app called Sampler, which made it possible to try on a pair of Converse virtually. The user could choose the pair they like from the digital catalog, and point a smartphone camera at their right leg. That’s the way a customer would usually see the pair of Converse on the leg. If the client likes the model, they can click the “Buy Now” button.
AR is not always related to smartphones or tablets. Lego, for example, had introduced AR-powered kiosks, endowed with a camera and screen. A screen of a kiosk showed customers what the finished assembled Lego set would look like.
Facial recognition
Retailers use facial recognition not only as technology to catch criminals and fraudsters. This technology also helps to learn about customer behavior and preferences. Nevertheless, not all customers are thrilled about this innovative solution.
Walmart tested facial recognition technology in its stores, however, refused further use of it. The system works as follows: cameras watch the customers focusing on their facial expressions. The system is aimed to identify whether customers are unhappy or frustrated. In other words, one of the largest retailers in the world decided to use security and checkout cameras to read faces.
Walmart was criticized for that solution and accused of abuse of power. It can be easily explained since there is a kind of unwritten rule, which claims U.S. people shouldn’t be subjected to face recognition without their permission.
Amazon is also known for having a lot of security and checkout cameras in its stores. However, the retailer claims their system serves only to determine the quantity and price of items in a cart. The company assured customers they don’t use the facial recognition system.
Robots
Robots are the next step in store automation. Some of them already work in homes and warehouses. Others are being tested on the sales floor.
The best-known example in households is the Roomba robot vacuum. Its maker, iRobot, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December 2025. Under the restructuring plan, its manufacturing partner Picea Robotics acquired the company. iRobot said Roomba devices and the app would continue to work as usual. The case shows that even a pioneer of consumer robotics has to deal with rising costs and cheaper competitors.
Retailers are also testing the AI robot as a customer-facing assistant. Japanese telecom operator KDDI, together with the robotics startup Avita, announced plans to trial humanoid robots in its au-branded mobile phone shops and in convenience stores. The robots, named Hinata, are designed to improve their conversation skills by talking to customers.
In 2015, Best Buy tested Chloe, an automated robotic arm housed behind a glass wall at its New York City store. Customers could order products through touchscreen kiosks, and the robot retrieved items such as DVDs, video games, headphones and phone accessories in around 30 seconds. The system was designed to speed up product collection and allow store employees to focus on more complex customer needs.
Meanwhile, 7Fresh (China) uses smart autonomous shopping carts that follow customers as they browse supermarket aisles, allowing them to shop hands-free. Developed by e-commerce company JD.com, the carts use sensors to avoid obstacles and can guide shoppers to specific product locations.
Logistics is another area where the humanoid robot is already at work. Digit, made by Agility Robotics, moves totes at fulfillment centers run by GXO Logistics. Retailers see this as a way to automate heavy and repetitive tasks, such as unloading cartons and restocking shelves.
