The retail industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by the growing importance of technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud, and augmented reality, and virtual reality. In the last three years alone, there have been over 59,000 patents filed and granted in the retail industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Innovation in retail: planogram optimization. Buy the report here.
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However, not all innovations are equal and nor do they follow a constant upward trend. Instead, their evolution takes the form of an S-shaped curve that reflects their typical lifecycle from early emergence to accelerating adoption, before finally stabilizing and reaching maturity.
Identifying where a particular innovation is on this journey, especially those that are in the emerging and accelerating stages, is essential for understanding their current level of adoption and the likely future trajectory and impact they will have.
50+ innovations will shape the retail industry
According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which plots the S-curve for the retail industry using innovation intensity models built on over 126,000 patents, there are 50+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
Within the emerging innovation stage, AR-assisted shopping, planogram optimization, on-demand digital mfg are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. Self-checkout, personalized lookbooks, location-based personalization are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among maturing innovation areas are video commerce and in-store shopping assistance, which are now well established in the industry.
Innovation S-curve for the retail industry
Planogram optimization is a key innovation area in retail
Planogram optimization revolves around crafting and managing store shelf layouts to maximize product placement for increased sales and profitability. While this process was once a manual endeavor, modern planogram optimization relies on computer programs and algorithms. These tools are employed to design shelves that are not only visually appealing, but also ensure ease of navigation and the utmost sales optimization.
GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 65+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established retail companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of planogram optimization.
Key players in planogram optimization – a disruptive innovation in the retail industry
‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.
‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.
Patent volumes related to planogram optimization
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Leading patent filers in the planogram optimization space include Ocado, Hyundai Motor, NEC, and Walmart. Walmart is strategically investing in advanced technologies to enhance the shopping experience for its customers. Leveraging augmented and virtual reality technology, Walmart conducts in-depth analyses of sales data and consumer behavior patterns, enabling the company to pinpoint the most lucrative strategies for arranging and presenting its products effectively.
In terms of application diversity, Bossa Nova Robotics is the leading company in the planogram optimization space, while Panasonic and Plus One Robotics are in the second and third positions, respectively.
Planogram optimization enables retailers to stay agile in response to evolving consumer preferences and market trends, securing their relevance and profitability in the ever-changing retail landscape. To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the retail industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Retail.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
