Innovation

The Retail innovation helping people to cope with loneliness

Less hustle and loneliness: A Supermarket that has “chatting checkouts”

Culled from Graceful April 2023

Chinyere Nwakanma 13/07/2005 17:37pm

Less hustle and loneliness is a new innovation in supermarket retail in the Netherlands .You can chat with someone at the supermarket checkout. Since the outbreak of COVID 19, many people have been conditioned to the lifestyle of staying alone and they need to be encouraged to make friends again. This new social innovation means that while buying your groceries, you can have a quick friendly chat with someone. This means unburdening your heartaches to the grocer and she might be your contact point to getting the help you need during lonely times. The Dutch supermarket chain Jumbo has introduced slower checkouts for the first time in 2019. The idea is to give customers more time not only to pay and pack, but also to talk to the cashiers. The aim is to counteract the rampant loneliness, especially at old age. In the meantime, 200 of the 700 “Jumbo” stores in the Netherlands have such chatting checkouts. One problem faced by older people worldwide is loneliness. Family members have moved away, friends have died or fallen ill. In addition, hectic schedules and unfamiliar techniques and processes make everyday life more difficult. In urban areas, this is compounded by anonymity. Going to the supermarket means getting out of one’s own four walls. At the same time, everything has to happen quickly at the checkout. A quick greeting, then you has to quickly throw all the groceries into the shopping bag and pay – that’s stress. Jumbo stores have “chatting Checkouts to fight loneliness in the Netherlands. In 2019, the Dutch grocery chain “Jumbo” tried something new. As part of a campaign against loneliness by the Dutch government, they installed slower checkouts. According to a survey, one in ten people in the Netherlands feel lonely. Of the 1.3 million adults over 75, as many as one in three say so.The government’s campaign addressed older people on one hand, encouraging them to get out and do something. On the other hand, it appealed to everyone in the population to take a look at their own elderly relatives and neighbours in the house. The supermarket chain has addressed the issue in its own way. The chain has over 700 stores in the country and has set up a “Kletskassa,” or “chit-chat checkout,” to take the stress out of paying and give people a chance to talk. The first of these cash registers was installed in the town of Vlijmen. The idea was so well received that the company has introduced chattering tills in 200 stores nationwide. In addition, chatting corners have been set up where customers can meet for coffee. The supermarket chain’s employees are also trained to recognize when someone is not feeling well – and to talk to them.

GRAVITAS-The loneliness chatting checkout supermarket is an innovation to help the old after the pandemic.

Everybody loves the shopping aisle, but shopping alone can be a burden. Meeting the smiling faces of the attendants asking you -Are you okay? .This brings smiles to people leaving the supermarkets.

Innovation and Excellence

Downforce Technologies-A force in Soil Technology

by Chinyere Nwakanma

Thurs 11 July 2025 at 23:05 pm BST· 10-min read

As someone who has learned much about the soil throughout my years as a student. I was amazed when downforce technology exhibited their products at the Reset London exhibition. I went to know more about what they are doing and I was surprised when they told me that downforce allows every farmer in every part of the world to understand the carbon footprint of their farming practices. Their company ensures food security in the companies they work with. According to them a healthy soil is a needed cornerstone in the production of high-quality food and fibres, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilisers and fostering sustainable land use practices. With the majority of food and fashion brands reliant on agriculture for sourcing raw materials, prioritising soil health is essential. I was amazed when they told me about their work testing the soil P.H and acidity to determine if the soil is healthy for the crops. That's an amazing aspect of soil science as these determine how healthy a piece of land is for the growing plants. At Downforce, they recognise the intricacies and ever-changing nature of these fluctuations, and they will equip you with precise, high-resolution data to devise site-specific strategies for optimising carbon levels. Their science-led, data-driven approach ensures effective management of soil science, even in regions with spatial non-uniformity. They work with landowners, farm food supply chains, helping every farmer in every part of the world to understand the carbon footprint of their farming practices.

Innovation and Excellence

Images of the exhibiting companies at the Reset Connect London

by Chinyere Nwakanma

Thurs 10 July 2025 at 21:57 pm BST· 10-min read

Innovation and Excellence

How do we emerge stronger as countries after COVID 19?

by Chinyere Nwakanma Culled from Graceful Issue 6 2022

Mon 7 July 2025 at 00:02 am BST·3-min read

We will emerge stronger by prioritising skills acquisition and innovation as the catalysts to building stronger healthy economies.

As the world recovers from the impact of COVID 19, many people are asking?. How can we make progress as nations to rebuild our economies and to create more jobs / wealth for our countries?. This article explores the wider impact of good skills and innovation as the way to move forward . We feel that if countries can work at creating more jobs in factories and getting more people to acquire productive skills, it will help to rebuild broken economies. Many countries of the world are in debt and leaders are burdened by the needs of their people. How do we emerge stronger as countries after COVID 19 without leaders being overburdened by the problem of the drop in the value of their countries’ currency . We buttress that going back to building skilled nations where the younger healthier people are encouraged to acquire engineering and science skills and creating more jobs in factories is the route to nation rebuilding. Building societies where the younger people are sensitised on the need to THINK of how to be creative . Bringing in new ideas that will lead to the opening of new factories, creating employment for more people and having more export opportunities. We visited factories where lack of both skilled and non-skilled workforce remains an impediment to growth. It has become constantly difficult to hire staff who can work without being sick or constantly calling off work. And the nagging question remains-How can we raise healthy work forces How can we make the younger people to see the need to work?. How can we create a future healthy workforce?. How can we make our environments clean and less polluted to avoid infections especially among the younger people?. Does air pollution have impact on the future health of nations?. How can we create healthy lifestyles that will help the future work forces to stay stronger?. Does diet and what we eat as younger people impact our health as adults ?. How do we effectively teach the younger people to take up healthy eating and lifestyles to enable them to grow into healthier adults?. How can we boost our factories by having more engineers and technicians, who are capable of handling machines in factories and industries? .How do we inculcate in the younger people the right attitudes to work as they are the future of nations?. How do we raise up a generation of skilled people who are able to work and create new ideas?.How can technology complement teaching and learning? .What steps should be taken to ensure students of all socioeconomic backgrounds have adequate access to education ?.It does not matter who ones parents are. People’s brains to create are gifts and how can societies progress by removing the barriers that sometimes do not allow for equal opportunities, marginalising the gifted who can become engineers and technicians in the future . How do nations lose out by allowing future engineers and scientists to be lost , because they cannot pay their school fees in higher colleges?. What can be put in place to make sure that such gifted and talented young people are given new opportunities, rather than being wasted by unneeded bureaucracies that are siphoning away the wealth of nations and lives?. How can countries share expertise to help train the highly skilled in the universities and higher colleges?. Our mission like the astronauts’ of the past is to build a healthier happy world after COVID 19.But selfishness sometimes rob us of the joy of seeing the excellence and beauty that comes from other people,but the globe need to do better. How have we became nations depending on borrowing, while some just print their countries’ currencies devaluing them ,while nations groan in pain?. How do we become progressive economies that do not depend on constant borrowing?. Instead of dwelling on competitiveness to prove the unneeded points that we are better off ,we need to THINK as people that are working together to make life better for those coming behind us?. We need to think like our ancestors who built the structures we all are using today. People come and people go, but the world remains . Leaving large debts for our kids while dwelling on competitions is not good for the future. Focusing on building new skilled workforces and creating new ideas post Covid will help to rebuild our economies .What did our ancestors do better that made our nations stronger despite the scourges that have ravaged the world through ages.When you work in industrial recruitment ,it is good to look for a home ,while asking to be given one week off work to search for a home?.How does these issues affect productivity in nations? How many people did not turn up for work because they were sick and how can they keep healthy through their lifestyles?.How do we minimise those anxious moments that make people to call of work . People seem to do more and better at work when they are relaxed. How do we create a fairer society without burdening people?. To emerge as stronger countries people need societal settings where they are happy and free to strive and work to earn a living .The psychotherapists at work places manage people who are overburdened by the pressure of their private lives, that they either do not turn up for work regularly or need constant counselling to cope with life .What ideas and innovations have we made to relieve our lives of the constant stress that come with being human?. Creating new better innovations and having many skilled people will help countries to come out of the losses of COVID 19hard to hire good industrial work force as many people are weak, tired and cannot stand the rigours of industry work.Sometimes tired because of constant pains caused by ill-health, sociological and psychological problems . These hamper and impact their work.Sometimes people do not complete their work shifts and you will be surprised the next day that they would not return backto work leaving void and vacant positions.They make their managers anxious and worried as productions are hampered by poor staff performance. More hours are spent on the phone speaking to recruiters , who are panicking to get the next helping hands .And it becomes a cycle of loss and hire for the anxious company owners who sometimes throw their hands up in the air as they cannot cope with the constant anxiety of coming to work to find out that no-one is looking after the machines. They are forced to use untrained staffs who are carrying spanners but they are neither technicians and engineers. Some spoiling the machines, getting fellow workers angered because everyone know that the person carrying the spanner has no good knowledge of the machines. With anxious staff trying to meet supply target discouraged because the machines have stopped working ,while there are no engineers or technicians to check the machines. It can be chaotic with some waking up the next day not bothering about returning to work while the anxious managers are busy looking down the door to see if the staff have arrived to get the machines running.The supply chain being stopped because of staff not turning up to work with losses to everyone.A typical day in factories around the world .With the new losses from COVID 19 things need to be put in place to increase productivity.How do we ,make changes to help factories cope with this constant loss of their work forces?. How can we have more food on our tables?. How do we encourage those unskilled labourers working in food production and agriculture across the world?. How can we improve productivity in agriculture and food production? How can we build more houses to keep people indoors?. Are there enough engineers ,architects and builders that can create cheaper and affordable housing for everyone?. Are there new innovations to build better, greener cheaper and affordable homes.If we can forget about the greed that makes housing unaffordable to only few ,knowing fully well that housing is just one of the basic needs of man, then we will emerge as healthy stronger fairer economies. How does waking up one morning to see that your landlord have asked you to quit affect your outlook to work?.How many people did not turn up for work because they were sick and how can they keep healthy through their lifestyles?.How do we minimise those anxious moments that make people to call of work . People seem to do more and better at work when they are relaxed. How do we create a fairer society without burdening people?. To emerge as stronger countries people need societal settings where they are happy and free to strive and work to earn a living .The psychotherapists at work places manage people who are overburdened by the pressure of their private lives, that they either do not turn up for work regularly or need constant counselling to cope with life .What ideas and innovations have we made to relieve our lives of the constant stress that come with being human?. Creating new better innovations and having many skilled people will help countries to come out of the losses of COVID 19.

GRACEFUL

How innovation and new trends in soap making is helping us to stay clean and healthy

by Chinyere Nwakanma

Sun 29 June 2025 at 14:42 pm BST· 10-min read

Bringing myself to think about years ago when my science teacher taught me the art of soap making in the science laboratory, it is a simple process which requires precision in the measurements and the use of chemicals during the soap making process.But the organic soap innovation means that soap manufacturers are now using organic ingredients to produce soaps. And soap making is an industry that like many others is very profitable and soap is needed daily by consumers. I used to do lots of washing up and I am always on the look out for better smelling bath soaps or washing up liquids. The smell becomes the pivotal point to my making daily decisions on which soap I will buy over the counter. The soap is one of the most wanted and fast selling consumer items on shop shelves, as no one can stay for a day without bathing or washing up their hands or plates and cooking utensils.Our abilities to stay clean depends on the soap and the way we are using them.Looking at the world dirtiest countries in the last week made me to realise what the soap industry means to us because most healthy people have learnt that using the soap to bath properly and washing ones hand daily is vital to removing the germs and bacteria that make people to get sick. Looking back to when we were kids ,some of our aunts actually made their own washing up soaps of which I also joined them in experimenting on the art of soap making after my chemistry teacher taught us how to make soap.Many of us didnot go beyond learning what he taught us as we did not find soap making as something ambitious to do, but the men giving us soaps to bath know that they are in a business which is not only profitable but helpful in keeping the world clean and healthy ,which without these soaps many people will be sick always. Daily routines in the kitchen like washing the kitchen utensils can only be successful using a soap. Cleaning the house washing the toilets ,washing the clothes and general body cleaning up cannot be done successfully without soap. Soap is one of those daily use products that people cannot live without.It is an essential commodity that helps people to stay healthy.Our lives are tied to the simple yet essential product:the soap. Soap making is an age-old craft that has evolved significantly over time, and in this modern age,it is an industry teeming with innovation, creativity, and a surprising amount of trends that mirror broader societal shifts. This evolution is not only fascinating but crucial to understanding the direction this sector is heading.

Now writing about the soap my aunt made as a kid,I know now that all that was needed to make it more marketable was a colour agent and better perfume because her soap was really good for washing.And just like a start up that did not need so much to start soap making is something amazing to do as one is going to help many people to stay healthy.The beauty of soapmaking lies in the fact that there are varieties of soap for different purposes. Soaps can be broadly be categorized into bar soap, liquid soap, and detergents, each having their own sub-types and specifications. Bar soaps, for instance, can range from the everyday, mass-produced soaps you find in grocery stores to intricately designed, handcrafted artisanal soaps sold in boutique stores or online markets.I went to the market the other day and saw a woman that has made her own range of soap.She is doing her start up and I know that with expansion and multiplication she is going to be very successful because her soap smelt very nice.All one needed is the marketing element after production and many soap makers chose to start off by marketing their products themselves.All one need as a soap innovator is a different shape of sop ,colour,perfume or making a soap that washes better than others.I have had some of my friends tell me that there are many people doing soap now.No matter how saturated a market seem to be ,there must be someone out there who will like your product.The basic soap making process, known as saponification, involves the reaction of fats or oils with an alkali, commonly lye. This age-old method has been refined and enhanced over the years with technological advancements, allowing for more efficient, safe, and creative soap making techniques.The problem with many people not thinking about innovation as a route to job creation is that they always prefer things that are already made and find making new things cumbersome. In the last ten years life has changed to be easier and better for everyone and those who made face book, twitter, instagram, linkdn have made us to understand that as they have made communication easier and faster for the entire world and we also feels that more could be done in other areas too.Soap making dates back to ancient Babylon, around 2800 BC but innovators have made new soaps that are better and more could be done by those looking for what to do.Just like fashion, technology, or food industries, the soap making sector is no stranger to trends. These trends are a reflection of wider societal shifts, specifically towards health, sustainability, and individuality.Many people are now using organic soap which are deemed more healthy but they could be expensive and many people are still on the look out for alternative cheaper organic soap options. Today vegan soaps, made without any animal-derived ingredients, are increasingly popular and the start ups are highly successful. Soaptec, an Italian-based firm leading the way in the of making new advanced soap making machinery. Innovations in soap making are focused on sustainability, better functionality, and more efficient production.These include the use of natural and organic ingredients, eco-friendly packaging, and automation in manufacturing.Many people are now personalizing and custom making their own soaps for birthday parties ,weddings and other occasions and such trends makes marketing soap products easy and better so small soap making start ups can start little while moving up to mass marketing their own products.

Image Courtesy -Graceful June 2025

Graceful

Reset connect London-The Award winning sustainability and net zero event

for businesses ,investors and innovators- Excel London June 2025

Who are the exhibiting companies and what are their innovations?

by Chinyere Nwakanma

Wed 25 June 2025 at 12:32 pm BST·3-min read

Driving solar pre installation consulting to the next level-Test Consulting U.K

Test consulting Ltd U.K exhibited their range of products.

Test consulting Ltd is guiding businesses through the energy and carbon reduction journey using data technology, and expertise to turn sustainability into measurable impact.Whether you're scaling up or just starting out, according to Kieran the energy and environmental lead their company have restored historic solar assets across 15 sites, boosting performance by 28% annually through thermal imaging,system diagnostics, and ongoing monitoring delivering 100% uptime and long time value.Their efficient,reliable and scalable options provide what every customer needs.

Test Consulting Ltd exhibiting courtesy Graceful

Among the participants in the exhibition is the Singapore based company all contributing in their own ways in providing new products.

The Singapore delegates Copyright -Graceful

Graceful

The Business Development Executive for Senergy solar thermal Matt Rooney tells Graceful how Christine Boyle the CEO is driving innovation in sustainable energy with their own brands of products

by Chinyere Nwakanma

Wed 25 June 2025 at 03:54 am BST·3-min read

Matt Rooney -business development with Synergy- courtesy Graceful

Senergy solar thermal was among the exhibiting companies at the Reset Connect London.

Matt Rooney from Senergy solar thermal was on hand to share information about their own brands of solar panels products which are mostly for heating hot water in the homes .These products harness the sun's energy and are very energy efficient and cost effective.According to him every user of their brand of products enjoys numerous benefits including cost savings,energy efficiency,low carbon footprint of renewable energy,using a proven technology which boosts heating, heat pumps that frees up PV capacity and electrical offset.I was speaking to Matt about their products and how beneficial they are to everyone,he told me that the solar panels are not only energy efficient to use but are very cost effective.He explained to me how the solar panels are fitted into the roof and they absorb energy from the sun which are used for the provision of energy solely for the heating of the water.He told me that Synergy solar panels are seamlessly integrated during construction,they are cheap to install, sleek and streamlined appearance, effectively uses roof space and are cost effective.The female founder is the amazing Christine Boyle who is providing this amazing product with her workers.

RESET CONNECT LONDON EXCEL 2025

by Chinyere Nwakanma 24/06/2025 BST 15:33

Graceful was at Reset Connect 2025 to know more about what companies are doing to provide more products in the area of sustainability and to help drive down carbon emissions by providing new products. The event is about net zero for business investors and innovators. Many companies such as Senergy, Greenstitch, Pickerpals, Downforce were there to tell us about their new products which are environment friendly and are helping everybody. This week I will be writing more about these companies and what they doing with images of the event.

GRACEFUL

Technology

MORE IMAGES FROM NET ZERO MEA - Solar & Energy Storage Summit Dubai 2025 April 9-10

by Chinyere Nwakanma

Tuesday May 28th 2025 A.M BST

Participants and stakeholders at the summit

below

Writing about the aftermath of the NET ZERO MEA summit all the stakeholders must be working hard to innovate and create new products to help the world based on what was discussed during the summit. It is good to know that there are many people who are looking into providing products to help cut emissions around the world. Their works in their factories mean that there are new products on supermarket shelves to help us.They work tirelessly to make sure that everyone is fine.And it is a heart-warming thing that they were in NET ZERO MEA to see if more could be done.

GRACEFUL

Technology

Impression and the Power of Video and display Workshop -London Thursday 22nd May

by Chinyere Nwakanma

Sun 25 May 2025 2025 8.20 am BST

On Thurday 22nd May 2025 , a workshop was held by Impression a U.K based advertising company in London , where they brought in stakeholders in the industry to speak about how the power of display and video , can help companies to build better brands.The organizers of the event Impression is a United Kingdom award winning digital company with a strong workforce and offices located around the major United Kingdom cities.The companies head of pragmatic Harriet Howart spoke about Understanding the opportunities that are available to extend the reach of paid social and search advertising using display and video.This means advertising to people while they are spending time on Netflix Uber,Aghast ,cosmopolitan and other companies.She also spoke about how a broad familiarity with new relevant moments and environments could help media groups to reach their audiences and how one can report on these activities in a more cost effective way.According to her, long term growth of investments comes through advertising and this is where companies like Uber,Tiktok, Meta ,Linkdn,Instagram come in.Other things discussed on the day were the things that make using display and videos a very valuable marketing strategy.

Enhanced storytelling through larger louder formats,access to new moments within your target audiences online journey,borrow credibility by liaising with sources you can trust using custom creative formats.According to the speaker the essence of brand investment is to get companies a wider reach to a wider audience. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshati spoke about what the company is doing to create more brand awareness for their clients.As we can see, the ways we listen to music and video have changed , as more people do not only depend on the television to access information and entertainment and companies need to see the need to tap into the best opportunities to help them to build their brands in innovative and effective ways .According to the workshop organisers Impression that is what they do as a company.

Corporate image improvement means a lot to businesses and reaching to more people means that companies like Impression are in the business.

GRACEFUL

Technology

by Chinyere Nwakanma

Sun 13 May 2025 15.00Pm BST

NET ZERO MEA - Solar & Energy Storage Summit Dubai 2025 April 9-10

How is the United Kingdom helping people to get sustainable energy?

Participants and Award winners

Event Description

A premier summit was convened by senior decision-makers and innovators from the entire solar & energy storage industry chain. Gathering more than 80 world-class speakers from over 55 countries and areas, the 2nd Net Zero MEA -Solar & Energy Storage Summit was dedicated to addressing the critical challenges facing the development of industry.

From regional policies and industry dynamics to local infrastructure and supply chain solutions, we tackle the most pressing challenges facing the MEA area and global markets.

According to the conveners of the event, we are proud to reflect on the success of our past events. This year, we hosted the highly successful Net Zero MEA Summit 2024, and the 2nd Net Zero Europe Summit & Li-ion Battery Conference. Collected over 800 delegates, 50 sponsors and exhibitors, and 100+ esteemed speakers, these events were truly a testament to our collective commitment to a sustainable energy future.

This event describes the efforts being made by different industries to provide sustainable energy for people around the world bringing in the best speakers, stake holders in the industry to listen to what has been done already in the energy sectors and how more could be done.

In the United Kingdom there are grants being given to people who want to install solar panels in their homes as a new way to get sustainable energy to heat their homes and to do other things. They need not make the journey on their own making it a cost effective alternative for providing energy in homes.

These grants given households is to help significantly cut installation costs—but they won't last long and people are asked to act now to enjoy immediate reductions in your energy bills. Many people are already installing solar panels in their homes and they are energy efficient and the organisers of this conference were able to tell those that came more about what they hope to achieve in the coming years.