Do you like numbers? Do you like retail tech news? Then this is the article for you. Including Azome, Firstwork, TikTok Shop, Kevel, Ikea UK, Booker Wholesale, AliExpress, Miniso, Matalan, Old Spike, Square, Wing, and Apadmi.

$11.2 million...AI shopping agents startup, Azoma, has announced a $11.2 million Series A funding round led by Puma Growth Partners, with participation from dunnhumby, Twin Path, MaRS IAF, Rank Ventures and Ignite Ventures and Angels from Google DeepMind and Legora.

The round will fund the expansion of Azoma's platform across the AI personal assistants space such as ChatGPT Dots and Meta Muse; as well as the build out of its optimisation and attribution capabilities for enterprise consumer brands utilising dunnhumby data.

The cash will also support team growth with a particular focus on recruiting AI talent. Azoma works with consumer brands including L'Oréal, Unilever, Mars, Beiersdorf and Reckitt. The round follows a $4 million seed announced in December 2025.

Azoma was founded in 2022 by Max Sinclair, a former Amazon executive; and Timur Luguev, a PhD and Postdoctoral Researcher in machine learning. Sinclair comments: "Three hundred and fifty million people used Alexa for Shopping last year. Walmart customers who use their AI shopping assistant Sparky spend 40% more than those who don’t."

"Instinct, the personal AI assistant that launched in August with zero marketing budget, already accounts for $1 billion in transactions, and is growing at a rate of 10% day over day. Agent-to-agent commerce has arrived faster than anyone expected. For our customers, this will be more transformational than the internet. Agentic commerce will be on a par with how electrification birthed or transformed these enterprise consumer brands."

4...While 66% of UK consumers now purchase goods on TikTok Shop and one in five use it at least once per week, trust remains a barrier to purchasing through the platform, according to new research from Bazaarvoice, based on a survey of more than 1,600 TikTok users aged 18 and older living in the US and UK.

TikTok Shop is the fourth largest beauty retailer in the UK according to NielsenIQ. Last month, Boots joined the likes of Sephora and Marks & Spencer to sell their products on the platform, saying it would “bring trusted beauty expertise to a new generation of social shoppers." 

Bazaarvoice’s research shows that three quarters of shoppers have bought a product on TikTok Shop that they wouldn’t have considered buying elsewhere, and 64% use the platform to discover new brands and trends. 

$15 million...Firstwork, an AI platform for frontline workforce operations, has announced a $15 million Series A led by Earlybird Venture Capital, with participation from Legion VC, Deel Ventures and existing investors Gradient and Y Combinator. The round brings its total funding to date to $20 million.

Firstwork was founded in 2024 by Vardhan Kapoor and Shubham Choudhary. Kapoor previously led APAC at Remitly and strategy at Deliveroo Singapore, while Choudhary was a Director of Engineering at Deel after helping build Rippling’s global employment infrastructure.

More than 150,000 frontline workers now start work through Firstwork each month. Customers including Deel, Job&Talent, Relay, Wonolo and BGSF have cut the time workers and HR teams spend on each new hire by up to 90%, according to the company. 

“The systems employers rely on were built to record what happened, not to actually do the work,” says Kapoor. “That leaves HR and operations teams spending enormous amounts of time chasing documents, coordinating across systems and supporting workers through processes that extend well beyond day one. Applied AI changes what is possible."

"We can now give every frontline worker the kind of support that used to be reserved for the top of the labor market, from the moment they apply through every stage of their employment.”

7...Old Spike, a specialty coffee roaster and social enterprise, has opened its seventh London café in Southwark.

The new Great Suffolk Street location displays what it believes to be the UK hospitality industry’s first live impact dashboard powered by payments platform, Square. 

Old Spike’s central mission is to create employment for people experiencing homelessness. Its Barista Training and Employment Programme provides practical training, paid work placements and support into lasting work. Since opening in 2015, over 350 people have completed its training course.

The dashboard uses Square data to display to customers how their purchases across Old Spike’s seven cafés contribute to its training and paid work placement programme. Southwark is the first café to feature the dashboard, which Old Spike plans to roll-out across all its sites.

When a purchase is made, Square automatically sends the information to the Impact Dashboard system, which records the transaction and calculates the relevant impact measures and KPIs. These figures are turned into visuals via an animation application so they can be displayed on public-facing screens. The dashboard showcases the number of trainees completing the programme, graduates securing lasting employment and the amount paid during work placements. 

The canimations for the dashboard screens were created by motion and data visualisation studio Algo which developed a modular animation system powered by Rive, the same technology behind Spotify’s Wrapped campaign.

$52 million...Kevel has pulled in $52 million in funding, marking the largest capital raise in the company’s history.

The financing includes expanded investments from Fulcrum Equity Partners, dunnhumby Ventures, Iberis Capital and additional growth capital from ORIX Corporation USA’s Growth Capital business. 

Kevel’s total capital raised now exceeds $100 million. The retail media technology specialist works with the likes of Tesco, Dollar General Media Networks, John Lewis Partnership, Paypal, Scandinavian Airlines, Home Depot’s Orange Apron Media, and Nubank, across North America, Europe, LATAM, and APAC. 

“Commerce media is entering a new era, one defined by ownership, transparency, and AI driven infrastructure built around the business rather than intermediaries,” says James Avery, Founder and CEO at Kevel.

“To keep commerce media open and competitive, businesses must own their monetisation and data. This raise enables us to scale the technology retailers and marketplaces need to build differentiated media networks, drive sustainable growth, and compete head to head with the largest platforms."

“Kevel has built an impressive, highly differentiated platform that enables customers to rapidly launch and scale retail media businesses tailored to their unique brands and audiences,” says Blake Zhang, Managing Director in ORIX USA’s Growth Capital business.

“As the market continues to expand across on-site, off-site, in-store and other emerging channels, we believe Kevel is well positioned to help customers navigate that growing complexity and scale across an increasingly broad ecosystem. We are excited to partner with James and the Kevel team as they continue to innovate and help shape the next generation of retail media.”

270 and 10%...Starting on 21st October, Walmart customers in Charlotte, USA can order drone delivery powered by Wing. This marks the official launch of this service in the region.

Over the next year, Wing and Walmart are expanding drone delivery to 270+ stores, with a view to building a coast to coast network in 2027, ultimately reaching over 10% of the US population.

Bypassing heavy traffic, inclement weather and crowded parking lots, residents can get game day supplies, routine essentials, and weeknight dinners delivered straight to their yard.

£31.million...Ikea UK is investing £31.5 million across its Peterborough and Doncaster customer distribution centres (CDC) as the retailer aims to make online fulfilment more efficient and sustainable. 

In Peterborough, new technology is packaging customer orders to size and reducing material usage by up to 30%, by preventing waste from oversized boxes and filling paper. In Doncaster, Ikea is trialling a new regional fulfilment capability, serving customers in the north and Scotland from a closer location to them.

The investments will strengthen Ikea’s UK fulfilment network as online sales account for 43.3% of total UK sales in financial year 2026. It is investing £30 million in new technology for its Peterborough CDC, with the upgrades taking place over a two-year period. As part of this, it has launched new PackSize technology to prevent waste from oversized cardboard boxes and filling materials by packaging customer orders to size. On average, the technology reduces material usage by up to 30% and void fill by up to 60%.

The technology is expected to increase the share of parcels processed through automation at the Peterborough CDC from 47% today to 75% in 2027, helping the fulfilment team prepare orders for delivery more efficiently. These additional orders would otherwise have been packaged by manually creating a packing carton which includes having to measure the article then creating the cartons to fit the order. Three drones and nests were introduced at the site in January to support inventory management. They scan each aisle in short cycles, helping Ikea to keep stock in the right place and meet customer demand.

Ikea is investing £1.5 million in trialling a new fulfilment capability at its Doncaster CDC. The site now fulfils orders for customers in the Gateshead, Edinburgh and Glasgow areas, with plans for Sheffield to follow. By fulfilling these orders from Doncaster rather than Peterborough, Ikea expects to reduce emissions from delivery journeys by an estimated 280 tonnes of CO2 annually. The new capability has created an additional 80 jobs at the Doncaster site.

60%...The number of retail crime cases solved has almost doubled during a new crime reporting trial between Co-op and Devon and Cornwall Police in the UK. 

The partnership, according to those involved, delivers significantly faster justice for offences carried out, with data from Devon & Cornwall Police showing crimes reported through the platform - which is called SentrySIS - achieving a solve rate of almost 60%, which is approaching double the force’s average solve rate for retail crime versus retail crime being reported by those using traditional channels.

Data from Devon & Cornwall Police also revealed that 90% of identified shop theft offenders are repeat offenders, with just 50 individuals responsible for around a quarter of all shop theft offences in the Devon and Cornwall force area, often with more than 100 known offences each. The new system enables stronger intelligence sharing; improved tracking of repeat offenders - connecting multiple offences committed by the same individual and building stronger cases against prolific offenders and, closer collaboration with police both at a local and central level. 

Store colleagues upload incident details, CCTV, photos and impact statement enabling police to record and allocate the crime in as little 30 minutes - a process that could take police up to seven days. Furthermore, it removes the need for investigating officers to then approach the retailer for evidence, saving time for retailers and resulting in the average time taken for investigations to be completed and assigned an outcome being slashed by more than a third to 35 days.

The success of the pilot has seen the SentrySIS system, which links to Co-op’s wider partnership working with UK Partners Against Crime (UKPAC), now activated across all Co-op stores in Devon and Cornwall, with discussions now underway with additional police forces. Co-op’s own retail crime levels are falling with the retailer expected to see its lowest levels since the pandemic.

4...AliExpress has announced a partnership that brings its global product selection into YouTube’s creator ecosystem, giving eligible creators access to various products to feature in their content, along with new commission earning opportunities.

Following the launch of the collaboration in South Korea in March, the partnership will expand to four markets: the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom and Germany. Further expansion will take place in phases, in line with the roll-out of YouTube’s affiliate programme in new markets.

With YouTube's recent extension of its Shopping Affiliate Programme to eligible creators in Germany and the United Kingdom, the partnership will connect participating creators not only in Europe but also eventually worldwide with AliExpress's product offerings. A particular focus is Brand+ - a dedicated selection of branded products from international and local brands.

Creators can discover and select AliExpress products directly within YouTube Studio. The integration connects AliExpress products with YouTube's three major content formats - long-form videos, shorts, and livestreams - allowing creators to tag shoppable product recommendations across key moments of audience discovery and engagement. 

They can explore AliExpress's products across categories such as consumer electronics, sports and outdoor, home and living, and lifestyle. Using data on bestselling and trending products, they can handpick items that resonate with their audiences. Viewers can link directly from YouTube to AliExpress to complete their purchases.

1.76 million...Matalan reports that its first fully native app has recorded 1.76 million downloads since launching in August, with monthly active users growing by 10% month-on-month since go live. App orders increased 20% year-on-year in August and 28% in September, while conversion has reached 4.4%, ahead of its 3.4% target. Average order value is also 14% higher than on Matalan's website.

Developed in partnership with Apadmi, features include intelligent search to help customers find products more easily, richer product content and streamlined checkout through Apple Pay and Google Pay. 

The app also brings Matalan Me rewards and account information together in one place, making it easier for customers to access their benefits and personalised offers.

It is designed to connect Matalan's digital and physical shopping experiences. An in-store barcode scanning feature allows customers to check product details, availability and reviews using their phones, helping them move more easily between shopping in-store and online.

19,000...Miniso is gearing up to open its first Miniso Land store in the UK. The 19,000 sq ft flagship will be located at 363 Oxford Street, London, currently occupied by HMV, and will line up alongside the retailer’s other flagship stores, which includes New York’s Times Square and Paris’s Champs-Élysées, alongside over 8,300 stores globally.

Sam Foyle, Co-head of Global Retail at Savills, which acted for the landlord, says: “We’re seeing continued interest from brands for space on Oxford Street. Pedestrianisation plans have really fuelled momentum over the past year and, as the street enters a more mature stage of recovery, we expect this appetite to continue.”

“Oxford Street is a microcosm of the UK high street, where brands are increasingly focused on creating memorable, experience led destinations. Miniso Land is a great example of that trend, bringing an innovative flagship concept to one of the world’s most recognisable retail locations. Its decision to open at 363 Oxford Street is a strong vote of confidence in London and reinforces Oxford Street’s appeal as a destination for ambitious global brands.”

A Miniso spokesperson says: “London is an important part of our international growth, and bringing Miniso Land to Oxford Street marks an exciting next step. The flagship reflects our long-term commitment to the UK and our ambition to connect people with the characters and stories they love and bring joy to everyday life.”

Earlier this month, HMV announced it intended to vacate the site in March 2027 after three years. It first launched the Oxford Street site in 1921 and reopened it in late 2023 following a four-year absence.

500 and 100...Booker Wholesale has deployed more than 500 Sony BRAVIA Professional Displays to establish a new retail media network across 100 of its UK locations. The project was delivered by Pixel Inspiration in partnership with dunnhumby.

Installed predominantly at rack ends and above palletised merchandise, the displays provide a platform for targeted advertising and promotional content, while integrating into the existing wholesale environment. This presented specific challenges for the installation. 

Displays needed to be positioned for maximum visibility while also being protected against accidental impacts from stock movement, pallet handling and day-to-day warehouse operations.

Sony BZ35L BRAVIA Professional Displays were selected as part of the hardware solution to provide the combination of image quality, reliability and operational efficiency required for the network. To provide additional protection, Pixel Inspiration worked with UNICOL to develop a combined mounting and protective shroud solution. This was designed to withstand the demands of a busy cash and carry environment while maintaining appropriate airflow and ventilation around the displays.

The displays use Sony’s Android-based System on Chip (SoC) technology, reducing the need for additional external media players and helping simplify the overall installation. The network is managed through the DISE content management system, enabling campaign content to be centrally targeted and distributed across Booker’s national estate.

1...H&M Home has reopened its flagship store at Drottninggatan 50 in Stockholm, Sweden following an extensive renovation. The 383 sq m location will be the first Home offering globally to showcase the retailer’s new store concept and updated visual identity. 

It is designed as a series of connected rooms that guide customers through different areas of the home, from social spaces such as the living and dining room to more personal settings including the bedroom and bathroom.

“H&M Home is constantly evolving, while staying true to its core. We want to preserve the warm and welcoming character that customers associate with the brand, while refining and modernising our expressions. At Drottninggatan, this comes to life through a new store concept where materials, scale and carefully curated environments work together to create an experience that feels both contemporary and timeless. It reflects the direction we will continue to develop for H&M Home, with design, quality and the home at its heart,” says Evelina Kravaev-Söderberg, Head of Design & Creative at H&M Home.