Waitrose cracks the AI code with hackathon

7 practical AI retail solutions devised in 2 days

The challenge

Most retailers know that artificial intelligence (AI) has the power to transform their operations and deliver a better customer experience. The problem is that many neither know how, nor where to start deploying the technology to make the biggest impact and optimise the investment. However, often ideas and expertise lie locked within in-house technology teams only requiring the necessary time and space in the right environment to be released.

With this in mind, major UK supermarket chain Waitrose was interested in exploring how AI could help improve the productivity of its software development teams, along with enhancing the customer journey. To focus the thoughts of its own technology experts on finding an answer, the retailer asked its trusted software development partner Mindera to lead and organise the first ever Waitrose AI hackathon. The aim was to use this increasingly popular technique as a springboard to foster innovative ideas, solve problems, encourage better collaboration and understand the “art of the possible”.

"We were trying to solve problems with AI rather than just trying to put something with AI out there." Nathan Cashmore, Principal Software Engineer, Waitrose & Partners

The solution

Mindera provides a comprehensive hackathon service as part of its ‘Agile Accelerator’ offering, which helps spark inspiration within technology teams to drive innovation across its partners’ businesses. Planning for the Waitrose AI Hackathon involved four key elements:

• AI ideation workshop – Over two days, Mindera helped Waitrose generate 70 different problems and ideas that could be solved by AI. Each was then measured against Mindera’s own AI assessment framework in relation to current Waitrose business strategy with the seven most relevant selected for the hackathon.

• Technology set up – Help was then given with setting up the necessary environments, a repository for source code, pipelines and templates for the hackathon.

• Pre-training and upskilling – Learning sessions for all audiences prior to the start of the Hackathon were set up to ensure those attending had a good understanding of AI. This enabled them to hit the ground running as soon as the event kicked off, so they could make the best possible contribution.

• General housekeeping activities – These involved connecting with all 90 participants in the run up to the event to confirm numbers and handle any queries. A conference space was also booked, judges organised and a scoring matrix created for the final day’s presentations and demonstrations, so each could be evaluated against the original objectives. Plus relevant messaging channels were set up for the teams taking part, and tech support made available throughout the hackathon.

With everything in place, the event was held over three days. Entitled ‘Revolutionising the Future: An AI Hackathon for Disruptive Innovation’, Day One saw the Waitrose developer teams ‘hack’, putting their plans and ideas into action. This continued into Day Two, which ended with each team preparing its presentation and demonstration. These were then delivered on the final day, with judges deliberating and naming the winning hack.

The results

“The talent and creativity of the Waitrose & Partners Digital teams were truly impressive, presenting innovative solutions that have immense potential for our future development.” Sean O’Connor, Head of Product, Waitrose Online

Overall, the judges were incredibly impressed with the AI solutions put forward by the Waitrose digital teams. The work was described as “truly impressive” resulting in “groundbreaking GenAI use cases”. Meanwhile, the energy, collaboration and ingenuity on display by the teams were cited as being “nothing short of brilliant”. Of the seven solutions presented, Waitrose began putting three into practice via an initial discovery phase almost immediately after the hackathon.

"We were able to quickly come up with multiple customer opportunties that we could quickly prototype." Matt Osborn, Delivery and Operations Lead, Waitrose & Partners

Beyond hitting the mark in terms of coming up with innovative ways Waitrose can tap into AI, the agile software development hackathon also directly benefited the teams involved. The individual members reported feeling energised and motivated, expressing how much they had enjoyed the experience, which also enhanced their skill sets. Boosting morale in this way can play a big role in ensuring Waitrose retains, and attracts, the best tech talent in the face of a widening skills gap. All of which underlines the benefits of channelling the talents of your in-house technology team by creating an inspirational and innovation-driving event like a hackathon.

"We ended up having 70 ideas, seven working prototypes from a three-day hackathon, three of which are being taken forward and in the future will be in the hands of customers." Matt Osborn, Delivery and Operations Lead, Waitrose & Partners

What the hackers said…

“It is crazy what you can achieve in two to three days when you have space, time and a clear goal to achieve!” Hackathon participant

“It was amazing to learn and try something new outside of my day-to-day role.” Hackathon participant

Inspire your team to innovate with AI today. Contact our Hackathon team…

About Waitrose Founded in 1904 in Acton, London, supermarket chain Waitrose has 329 shops across Great Britain and the Channel Islands. Its 5.1% share of the grocery market makes it the 12th largest retailer in the UK in its sector.