The five most important retail tech news stories of the week

It’s Friday, the week is nearly done, so let’s kick back and reflect on another eventful week for the retail technology space. Here's your briefing on some of the most important and interesting stories from the past five days.

1. Sainsbury’s rocks around the digital Xmas tree

Around three million customers shopped with Sainsbury’s and Argos on smartphones, tablets and in-store handsets on Saturday 21st, Sunday 22nd and Monday 23rd December. 

2. Rakuten makes loyalty programme, crypto announcement

Rakuten’s customers in Japan can now convert the e-commerce giant’s loyalty points to such cryptocurrencies as Bitcoin and Ether.

3. JioMart unveiled as Mukesh Ambani takes on e-commerce big hitters

A conglomerate fronted by Asia's richest man, Mukesh Ambani, is launching a grocery delivery service that aims to compete with Amazon and Walmart in India.

4. Ocado lands RTIH innovative pureplay award

Ocado has won out in the Most Innovative Pureplay category at the RTIH Innovation Awards.

5. Co-op makes fast home deliveries move

Co-op has announced that, over the next 12 months, its same-day delivery services will be available across almost 100 towns and cities, served by 650 stores.

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