United Wholesale Scotland (UWS) is to become one of the first wholesalers to provide tailored interactive promotions across its cash and carries, in partnership with artificial intelligence specialist Unireal.

The partnership will see interactive screens rolled out across its three depots in Glasgow and Grangemouth at the start of this year. Retailers will be able to interact with the screens by tapping them with their smartphones or touching the displays themselves, where they will then be provided with more information about products.

Interactive games will also be available on the screens, while the platform will also be linked to UWS’s digital loyalty scheme to further enhance the level of tailored promotions.

UWS managing director Chris Gallacher told Better Retailing: “We’ll be the first wholesaler to bring digital activation to life that retailers can interact with. We’re taking it to the next level and we’ve already begun discussions with suppliers.

“A depot will have 3,000 customers coming in but it’s about examining why 1,000 haven’t bought a product. Could we offer them a voucher through the screen or provide a game for interactivity?”

Unireal chief executive Kashif Khan added: “Convenience stores are typically family-run and the younger generation is more comfortable with these new approaches. It’s about giving retailers their own personalised experiences. We’ll know what they buy and it helps us serve them in a more efficient way, rather than push something down their throats that doesn’t concern them.”

Gallacher added UWS was also working with data specialist TWC for tailored promotions online, while the firm is also examining how to extend utilise these resources in its Day Today symbol stores.