The non-AI tech trends you need to know about

It’s no surprise that AI is the key focus of many retailers’ technology strategy, but it’s important to realise that it’s not the only innovation out there. Here are six other developments and the benefits they are bringing to the retail party…

Diversifying with marketplace technology

Almost every large retailer Mindera works with now has some kind of marketplace integration. Why? Because it enables them to extend their product range, gather data and diversify without taking on inventory and fulfilment risk.

One example is our client Kingfisher Group’s B&Q - customers can buy ride-on lawnmowers via an online marketplace with the order fulfilled directly by Yard Force UK. Mindera helped move Kingfisher to a modern API-first platform with Commerce Tools enabling the embedding of marketplace tech like Mirakl.

Some retailers are launching marketplaces through traditional dropshipping integrations, which automate the connection between online stores and suppliers, syncing product data, inventory levels, and order fulfillment in real-time. Key examples include B2B platforms like AliExpress (via AutoDS/DSers), Syncee, and Wholesale2B, which connect to B2C stores like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce. Others are acquiring complementary businesses to get stock into their business, plus setting up hybrid listings, and forming partnerships and collaborations.

Saving costs through self-service

Scan-as-you-shop technology enables customers to shop via their smart phone in stores, using the camera to scan barcodes. It’s well established with Mindera clients Sainsbury's and Waitrose, and most other UK grocery stores. IKEA has also rolled it out.

The cost savings alone for retailers are huge, not to mention the potential for better data use and personalisation. Self-service reduces the need for tills and the associated technology, as customers are doing the scanning. So, it’s something that’s likely to grow further – and the UK is already one of the highest adopters.

Reaping the rewards of RFID

Many retailers that have invested in RFID technology are benefitting across several areas. Increasingly, the technology is being used to address in-store theft by validating what's been paid for, along with the more traditional use cases of:

• Faster warehouse operations, pick validation and cycle counting
• Easier store inventory management
• Rapid checkout, including self-checkout
• Checkout-less exit and just go technology

• Efficient reverse logistics (returns)

  A few of the retailers that have invested in RFID early are transforming their operations. First, by managing inventory much more efficiently. Items come into the warehouse RFID tagged, so staff instantly know what's in the box and where it's going. It accelerates techniques like cycle counting, where small, scheduled portions of warehouse stock are counted regularly rather than all at once, improving accuracy, avoiding shutdowns, and helping identify root causes of errors, such as mispicks or vendor shortages. Second, due to the growing anti-theft benefits.

  Key drawbacks are the significant costs of RFID plus the fact that customers can find self-scanning frustrating. But the huge benefits suggest it’s a trend that will slowly increase.

  Boosting revenue with retail media

  Digital in-store signage is powering adverts to boost profitability and drive upsell and cross sell. On the basic level, retailers are essentially selling space on digital screens to brands so they can advertise to their customers. It’s a growing trend and has created a new revenue stream. And, of course, it can also help retailers sell more of the products advertised.

  Some retailers are going as far as to use AI to personalise on-screen content based on viewer demographics. AI can detect gender and adjust adverts to match. For example, a man could be shown Christmas gifts for a woman and vice versa. It’s even possible to do one-to-one personalisation using either AI or data from a loyalty app. However, navigating commercial and customer outcomes with privacy concerns means it’s a space that’s moving cautiously.

  Retaining and attracting customers with loyalty tech

  Loyalty programmes are a growing focus for many retailers, and they are getting increasingly innovative. Their popularity is down to several reasons. Retailers have woken up to the huge cost of customer acquisition, so are investing more heavily in retaining them. Furthermore, loyalty programmes done right capture more and better customer data. Finally, shoppers are increasingly demanding to be rewarded for their purchases.

  Mindera has done quite a lot of work in this space, developing loyalty programmes for Selfridges and David Jones. And it’s interesting to see just how creative this field is getting. Loyalty partnerships with adjacent, relevant brands, for example, are on the increase to spread mutual benefits from locking in each other’s customers. Our work with David Jones involved such a partnership with airline Qantas.

  The downside is that loyalty schemes are expensive to set up, but once established properly, they can quickly start driving a return on that investment. Plus, they can also erode the profitability of the most loyal customers, but can equally encourage them to buy more stuff.

  Saving costs through off-the-shelf ecommerce platforms

  A final and somewhat tangential case is the rise of software-as-a-service ecommerce platforms. Originally intended to enable small businesses to create their own ecommerce presence, platforms like Shopify are suddenly being taken seriously by larger brands and retailers.

  This is being driven in part by more and more brands wanting to go direct to customer, which platforms like Shopify facilitate both quickly and cheaply. And it’s a trend that’s likely to continue.

Find out more about retail tech trends in our upcoming Spring 2026 report.