Top 10: this week’s most popular RTIH retail technology articles

These are the RTIH retail systems articles that caught your fancy this week, including checkout free stores, last last mile delivery, buy now pay later services, and the 2021 RTIH Innovation Awards.

Coming for you: Klarna boss Sebastian Siemiatkowski takes aim at PayPal

Sweden’s Klarna is one of the biggest FinTech ventures in the world, spearheaded by co-founder Sebastian Siemiatkowski.

He has grown Klarna into a buy now, pay later giant, and the company has also spun out its own shopping app. And now he has PayPal in his sights.

“We’re coming for you, PayPal,” he tweeted on Friday, whilst flagging up App Annie mobile app data from November that showed his company in a favourable light.

He added: “This decade will transform financial services. Old ways: pocketing consumers money into your own wallet. New winners: return profits to the pockets of consumers. Klarna is 100% focused on helping people save time & money & reduce financial worry!”

Five retail technology innovations that won’t be big in 2022

As 2022 fast approaches, predictions abound on which retail technology innovations will make their mark in the year ahead. RTIH reckons these heavily hyped advancements, including the metaverse, cryptocurrencies, and checkout free stores, will not go mainstream in 2022.

Scott Galloway talks last last mile delivery and the value of time

Scott Galloway, a professor of marketing at the New York University Stern School of Business, and a public speaker, author, podcast host, and entrepreneur, has been giving his thoughts on the booming rapid delivery space.

Matalan enlists THG Ingenuity for digital transformation drive

Matalan has announced completion of phase one of its digital transformation programme.

In collaboration with THG Ingenuity, it is due to migrate its technology platform in 2022 to support and accelerate online growth.

The Sage Group announces Brightpearl acquisition

The Sage Group, which specialises in accounting, financial, HR and payroll technology for small and mid-sized businesses, is set to acquire Brightpearl, a cloud native omnichannel retail management system for retailers and wholesalers.

Sage already has a 17% minority stake Brightpearl. The consideration for the other 83% is $299 million, which will be funded from Sage’s existing cash and available liquidity.

Ahold Delhaize USA opens checkout-free store at Giant Company e-commerce hub

Retail Business Services, part of Ahold Delhaize USA, has announced a new location powered by its frictionless store technology.

The Giant Company has added the solution at its new e-commerce fulfilment centre in Philadelphia as an option for its more than 125 team members to shop food items.

Amazon Fresh stores open in Euston, Wandsworth and Chingford, London

Amazon has opened Amazon Fresh locations in Euston, Wandsworth and Chingford, London, bringing the total number in the UK to 15.

These are powered by the e-commerce giant’s Just Walk Out technology, which was pioneered at Amazon Go in the States. and offer a selection of its private food brand, by Amazon.

Other stores can be found in the likes of Camden, Ealing, Wembley Park, White City, Canary Wharf and Dalston.

Asda, Carrefour UAE, Farfetch named RTIH’s retailers of the year

Asda, Carrefour and Farfetch were among the companies who emerged victorious at RTIH’s 2021 retail technology awards.

The awards, sponsored by PMC, StoreSpace, Critizr, Marxent, QVALON and Selazar, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

We received a record number of submissions this year across 14 categories (you can find a full rundown of the 2021 shortlists here).

Our winners and highly commended companies were announced during an exclusive event that took place in central London earlier this month and was attended by retailers, members of our judging panel, and sponsors.