The five biggest retail technology 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 systems space. Here's your briefing on the most important stories from the past five days, including Amazon, Starbucks, Alibaba Group, and the 2021 RTIH Innovation Awards.
1. Amazon UK takes on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Co-op with hundreds of grocery stores
Amazon UK is planning to open more than 260 Amazon Fresh grocery stores before the end of 2024.
These will be all cashierless, tapping the e-commerce giant’s Just Walk Out technology, the company said in internal documents, according to a Business Insider report.
These state: “In 2022, we assume a broader roll-out of two store launches per week by the end of [the] year, targeting 60 total openings.”
“In 2023 and 2024, we are planning 100 store launches per year, in line with more aggressive opening programmes achieved by convenience stores in the UK in the last five years, Tesco’s, Sainsbury’s and Co-op have all exceeded 100 openings per year.”
Amazon, which has poached Tony Hoggett from Tesco to head up its international stores arm, is also reportedly looking to open a number of locations in Germany, Spain and Italy next year.
2. 2021 RTIH retail technology awards: shortlists at a glance
Shein, Walmart, Situ Live, Asda, Albertsons, Zalando, Farfetch, Tesco, and Starbucks are among the nominees at the 2021 RTIH Innovation Awards.
Now into their third year, the awards are sponsored by PMC, StoreSpace, Critizr, Marxent, QVALON and Selazar.
“PMC is delighted to again support the RTIH Innovation Awards as headline sponsor. These unique awards recognise achievements across a wide range of retailers and retail categories, from global players to startups,” says Simon Curtis, Sales and Marketing Director, PMC.
“Post-2020, innovation in retail is more critical than ever, with consumers looking for the same personalised, engaging and safe shopping experience in-store as they enjoy online.”
He adds: “Innovation and technology together play a critical role in the success of retailing and we look forward to recognising standout examples though these RTIH Awards.”
3. Alibaba Group taps cloud technology for 11.11 Global Shopping Festival
Alibaba Cloud says that it fully migrated all of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group’s systems and operations onto the cloud ahead of the 11.11 Global Shopping Festival.
This it claims, reduced computing resources by 50% for every 10,000 transactions compared to last year.
There was also a boost of 20% in technology deployment efficiency and 30% in CPU resource utilisation.
4. Sainsbury's preps Amazon Just Walk Out tech powered store
Sainsbury’s is set to open a cashierless store in London later this month, using Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology.
This will make it the first known customer outside the US for the tech that powers Amazon Go and Fresh stores.
The SmartShop Pick & Go location, situated in High Holborn on the edge of the City of London, is currently open to Sainsbury’s employees.
“We regularly trial new and convenient ways for customers to shop with us and we’re currently testing an upgraded version of SmartShop with colleagues at one of our Holborn stores,” Sainsbury’s told Bloomberg.
5. New Starbucks Pickup with Amazon Go store taps Just Walk Out tech
The first Starbucks Pickup with Amazon Go location opened this week in New York City, powered by the latter’s Just Walk Out checkout free technology.
Located at 59th Street between Park & Lexington Avenues, this offers the full Starbucks menu and an assortment of food and beverages in the Amazon Go market.
RTIH first reported on this tie up in October. Starbucks and Amazon plan to open at least two more locations over the next year.
