Summer SchoolEDEKA IT meets Uni HH

2 October 2024

From September 9 to 11, 2024, the “Summer School: EDEKA IT meets Uni HH” took place, introducing around 20 students from the University of Hamburg to the world of digital innovation in retail.

The “Summer School: EDEKA IT meets Uni HH” was organized in cooperation between EDEKA IT and the Nucleus Professorship for Information Systems and Digital Innovation of Prof. Dr. Jan Recker. Over the course of three days, the participants gained insights into current developments at EDEKA IT as well as valuable scientific input from researchers at the University of Hamburg, enabling them to combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience.

The first day began with a visit to an EDEKA store, where the students experienced how innovative ideas from the areas of shopping and customer experience are integrated into retail. Dr. Johanna Lorenz from the University of Hamburg and employees from EDEKA IT gave presentations on innovation in retail and shopping. The audience was able to learn how EDEKA uses new technologies and concepts to optimize the shopping experience. Particular attention was paid to the intelligent shopping cart, which illustrated the future of stationary shopping.

Later in the Summer School, the participants were given an exclusive insight into the fully automated EDEKA warehouse in Zarrentin, where the complexity of warehouse management systems and the challenges of logistics in retail were discussed. On the second day, Prof. Dr. Guido Voigt (Institute for Logistics and Supply Chain Management, University of Hamburg) and EDEKA IT employees presented insights on the topics of logistics in retail and the complexity of warehouse management systems.

The students experienced how modern logistics solutions increase efficiency in retail and which technological challenges need to be overcome. The event concluded with a lecture by Stephanie Kitzler, who presented the latest developments in IT in retail.

In addition, a visit to a data center gave the students an insight into cloud technologies and artificial intelligence, highlighting the importance of technological innovations in retail. A networking evening completed the Summer School. An opportunity for all participants to exchange ideas with specialists and managers and make valuable contacts.

(English version of https://www.bwl.uni-hamburg.de/ueber-die-fakultaet/aktuelles/2024/1001-edeka-summer-school.html)