Co-op
Co-op has expanded a trial with tech recirculation startup, Spring.
The pair first partnered in October 2021 with the launch of self-service pods in 20 of the retailer’s convenience stores in London.
The move is designed to make recirculating electronic devices that can be reused or recycled more accessible, while enabling consumers to turn their unwanted items into cash.
The initiative has now been rolled-out to Co-op stores in: Birmingham; Brighton; Leeds and Manchester.
Spring’s Pods accept almost 14,000 different devices and customers receive payment to their Spring account within one to three days. The money can be transferred to a bank account or to charity.
Where devices cannot be re-used, Spring will ensure all components – which include materials such as: gold; copper; aluminium and, steel – are recycled.
AiFi
AiFi has reached the milestone of 80 autonomous retail stores open worldwide.
By working with technology providers and retailers such as Verizon, Microsoft, Carrefour, Aldi, Compass Group, Sodexo, Choice Market and Żabka Group, AiFi says that it has deployed the largest number of camera only, computer vision powered stores across North America, Europe, Middle East, and Asia.
This year, it increased its speed of deployment to two stores per week.
AiFi showcased this rate of deployment by opening 50 computer vision powered locations with Żabka, Poland’s largest convenience store chain, in the span of a few months.