Retail Stores Must Offer More Than Ever
Darko Pavic
Founder & CEO at Fiscal Solutions | Simplifying Global Fiscalization for Retailers | Innovating POS Integration for Compliance & Cost Efficiency
Europe's largest tech store has just opened in Hamburg, and we sent our test shopper to explore it. In this newsletter, you’ll hear all about her experience.
And I really mean hear, as we recorded her directly after she visited it :-)
While digital sales channels like e-commerce, social commerce, and live shopping are expanding rapidly, physical stores are far from losing relevance. In fact, they offer something the digital world can’t—a tangible, hands-on experience.
Retailers are increasingly focused on enhancing the in-store experience, and MediaMarkt’s new flagship store is a prime example of successful redesign. We sent a Gen Z shopper to visit the store, and after her tour, she shared a brief report on what stood out.
Read this newsletter to discover her insights on how the store is making an impact in today's evolving retail landscape.
Preview: Inside This Edition
Papa John's Embraces AI to Enhance Software Testing and Accelerate Growth
Papa Johns , the world’s third-largest pizza delivery chain, is taking its technology to the next level by testing advanced AI software from Loadmill. This initiative aims to transform its software testing framework by automating manual tasks and integrating new digital ordering, store technologies, and dispatch systems.
Joshua Sullivan , Senior Director of Digital Engineering at Papa John's, highlighted that partnering with Loadmill will significantly enhance their ability to innovate while maintaining high-quality standards.
With over 5,900 locations in around 50 countries, Papa John's continues to innovate and grow, reinforcing its position as a leader in the pizza industry.
Shopify Partners with Roblox for In-Game Shopping
Shopify is set to pilot its checkout system within Roblox , one of the world’s largest online platforms. Announced during the Roblox Developers Conference in San Jose, California, this partnership will allow developers, creators, and brands using Shopify to sell physical items directly within Roblox games—using real currency, without players ever leaving the platform.
In this new experience, Roblox users can interact with in-game items like a shirt displayed on a mannequin and purchase the real-life version through a Shopify-powered checkout. They’ll even get a digital replica for their avatar. This pilot program is scheduled for a full launch in early 2025.
“This gives Roblox creators a brand new avenue into entrepreneurship,” said Shopify president Harley Finkelstein , appearing as a Roblox avatar. He emphasized that the collaboration opens up access to Roblox’s 80 million daily active users, creating a huge new market for creators and brands.
This partnership signals a bold step into the future of "immersive commerce"—where virtual, augmented, and mixed reality shopping experiences blend with the physical world.
New Retail Worker Safety Law in New York: Panic Buttons Now Required
Retailers in New York have just six months to comply with new safety measures aimed at protecting retail workers.
On September 4th, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Retail Worker Safety Act (RWSA), marking a significant step towards enhanced workplace safety.
??? Key Provisions:
Additional Requirements: Retailers must keep records of violent incidents for at least three years.
These measures, pushed by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), aim to protect workers from increasing violence and theft.
The new law comes as New York City faces a rise in retail theft complaints, with over 40,900 incidents reported so far this year.
?? Stuart Appelbaum, president of RWDSU, said: “The preventative measures this law provides will help stop violence and harassment before it starts, but more importantly, will assist workers in getting help quickly in an emergency.”
AI-Powered Receipt Verification Revolutionizes Checkout Experience at Walmart
Walmart’s Sam’s Club has recently implemented cutting-edge AI receipt verification technology across 20% of its stores, with plans to expand to all locations by the end of the year. This innovative solution uses a combination of AI and computer vision to verify that customers using self-checkout systems have paid for all items in their carts, significantly reducing wait times at the exit.
Previously, store employees manually checked each receipt, which often led to long queues. The new technology captures images of customers' carts and automatically cross-checks them with their purchases. This not only speeds up the checkout process but also helps minimize losses due to unscanned items. In stores where the technology is in place, shoppers are able to leave the store 23% faster.
While this new solution is a game-changer, there are still challenges, particularly when carts are full, and items are stacked. Questions remain about how reliably the system performs under these conditions. Nonetheless, similar technology from other providers, such as floor-mounted scales combined with self-learning algorithms, is already making an impact in other retail environments, showing that the future of retail tech is bright and fast-evolving.
MediaMarkt Unveils Europe’s Largest Electronics Store in Hamburg, Plans 20 Flagship Locations by 2026
Exciting news for tech enthusiasts! MediaMarkt has opened Europe’s largest electronics store in Hamburg as part of its new ‘Lighthouse’ concept. This flagship store brings together cutting-edge technology, innovation, and immersive experiences, setting a new standard for retail.
Store Highlights:
As part of our coverage, we invited a representative of Gen Z to explore the store and share her experience.
Here's what she had to say, translated into English.
If you want to experience the emotion and excitement of our test shopper, check out the German version:
Our test shopper brought us also some pictures of the store:
This new store concept is successfully reaching its marketing and engagement goals, and judging by the excitement it’s generating, it’s likely hitting its sales targets as well. With plans for 20 more flagship stores across Europe by 2026, MediaMarkt is set to redefine the retail experience for tech consumers.
Let’s dive into this topic! Join us this Friday, September 13th, 3:00pm CET for a live discussion on "Retail Talks." We’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions. Don’t miss it!
News from fiscal countries
News brought to you by: Nikolina Basic Tara Nedeljkovi? Stefan Ditrih Kristina Do?en
领英推荐
More details about the Law of the Euro in Bulgaria As a reminder, the adaptation of Law on Euro was published at the end of August. We advise you to read more to stay focused on this topic.
?
Is the interconnection obligation in Greece a requirement for restaurant fiscal devices Based on the actual regulations, specific requirements for Restaurant Fiscal Devices, also known as Restaurant FI-MAS, Restaurant FTM, or ADIME Restaurant in Greece, entail the following main requirements...
?
VAT refund procedure in Italy Italian taxable persons who pay VAT in another EU Member State can request a refund of the tax paid. Namely, taxable persons established in Italy can request a VAT refund for tax paid in another EU country, as outlined in Article 38-bis1 of Presidential Decree 633/1972. The refund request must be submitted through a specific electronic procedure that sends the request directly to the Italian Revenue Agency (Pescara Operations Center).
?
B2B e-invoicing approved in Spain The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation of Spain has received approval from the European Commission for the new draft of the electronic invoicing regulation, which builds upon the Law on the Creation and Growth of Companies. The Law Crea y Crece introduces the mandatory use of electronic invoicing among entrepreneurs and professionals. When and if the B2B invoicing will become mandatory?
?
The Secure element limit in the Republic of Srpska's new fiscalization system The secure element in the fiscal system of the Republic of Srpska is a critical component that ensures compliance by limiting the total amount it can sign without further reporting the data to the Tax Authority. More details are as follows..
?
Company-wide e-Reporting for B2C sales in France There has been a lot of talk and delays on the introduction of "B2C e-reporting" in France. This new system will require businesses to transmit daily cumulative B2C sales data, including VAT details, the number of transactions, and sales categories. The categories include sales of goods, sales of services, sales not subject to VAT in France, and sales covered by the profit margin regime, such as second-hand sales where VAT is due on the margin rather than the total excluding VAT.
?
E-Invoicing in Slovenia: A New Era for B2B Transactions The Slovenian Government has submitted a law proposal introducing mandatory B2B e-invoicing and e-reporting mandates by 2026. This significant reform, proposed by the Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia (FURS), aims to combat VAT evasion and strengthen the country's tax system. By enhancing control mechanisms, the initiative seeks to reduce fraudulent activities and improve tax compliance.
?
Understanding the Business Identification Number (W-IdNr) ?in Germany The Business Identification Number or Wirtschafts-Identifikationsnummer (W-IdNr) is a new type of identifying number that will be introduced starting in November 2024. The Federal Central Tax Office will begin assigning the W-IdNr automatically to both new and existing businesses from that time, with the process expected to continue until 2026.
?
New document was uploaded: Q& A from the webinar: Fiscalization in the Scandinavian countries We prepared the questions you asked during our webinar and our responses regarding the fiscalization in Mexico.
New document was uploaded: Fiscalization in Mexico: key insights and practices overview On August 29th, 2024, Fiscal Solutions organized a free webinar on the topic of "Fiscalization in Mexico: key insights and practices overview ". The webinar was held by Fiscal Solutions Legal Consultant Stefan Ditrih.
Events
New EU Regulation VIDA - Will It Affect Your Retail Store Operations?
The European Union is introducing the VIDA regulation to modernize the VAT system, aligning it with the digital economy, cross-border e-commerce, and new technologies. How will these changes affect store operations and the retail landscape as a whole? Given the close link between VAT regulations and fiscalization, VIDA is likely to influence fiscal laws as well.
Join us on September 12th at 3 PM CET for an in-depth discussion on these upcoming changes and how they will reshape your business operations. Together with Nikolina Basic, a legal expert from Fiscal Solutions, I will share insights and expectations for the future.
I would be delighted to welcome you to this important conversation.
Only conference about fiscal topics in the world
There are countless conferences and trade shows that spotlight technology and retailing trends, but unfortunately, many have become more about sales than education. Even highly respected speakers often pay for the opportunity to present, using the platform to push their own products or services. While this approach does offer insights into new trends and innovations, the educational value often takes a backseat.
For global retailers, especially those expanding internationally, understanding fiscal regulations and legal frameworks is crucial. As globalization continues to drive growth, these rules form the foundation of success. To address this need, we’ve created an annual event that focuses on fiscal laws, best practices, and certifications—a true knowledge-sharing experience for those deeply invested in these topics.
We call it our Community Day, bringing together experts and professionals in the field of fiscalization to transfer valuable insights and practical advice. Unlike many other events, our speakers are specialists, not salespeople, focused on delivering content that helps you stay compliant and successful in different markets. In addition to presentations, attendees will have one-on-one opportunities with these specialists to address specific concerns.
As a bonus, every participating company will receive a one-year subscription to our fiscalization portal for the country of their choice, ensuring they remain informed long after the event ends.
This invitation-only event will take place on September 26th in Belgrade, and our aim is to keep the gathering intimate, ensuring ample time for individual engagement. If you believe this event is right for you, please reach out to me directly.
I would be delighted to welcome and host you at this unique, focused conference.
?
?
?
If you haven’t subscribed to this newsletter yet, now is the time.
Staying informed about developments in your industry is crucial. Retail is very dynamic, and retail tech even more so. My newsletter will help you stay connected with the community and keep you informed about the latest trends and insights.
?
?
About the Author:
Darko Pavic, Retail Expert | 25+ Years in Retail Tech | Founder & CEO at Fiscal Solutions | Helping Global Retailers and POS Software Vendors Adapt to Modern Trends
Contact Information: Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/darko-pavic/ or X (former Twitter) https://twitter.com/PavicDarko
?
?