Essential retail technology deals and deployments

RTIH rounds up the stand out retail technology deals, deployments and pilots from the past seven days.

M&S has launched a video chat service for online shoppers, linking them to sofa experts in-store. 

It partnered with Go InStore and Appointedd on this.

Canadian discount retailer, Giant Tiger Stores, has chosen RELEX Solutions to support forecasting and replenishment at its distribution centres and 250+ stores.­

The tech will replace a combination of an ERP system and manual planning. 

Hermes UK has teamed up with Ford to pilot an eco-friendly courier service in central London.

Sneaker and streetwear retailer, Stadium Goods, has extended its partnership with Mercaux by deploying the venture’s mobile payments solution.

Pet supplies specialist Rolf C. Hagen has deployed Tecsys' SaaS supply chain platform across its multinational warehouse and distribution infrastructure.

Norwegian grocery retailer, NorgesGruppen, is to deploy Pricer’s electronic shelf labels system across 350 of its stores.

DICK’S Sporting Goods has selected Adyen as primary payments provider for its US transaction volume. 

This will cover online, in-store, and in-app purchases.

Frictionless shopping startup Zippin’s Japan partner, Fujitsu, has worked with Koyo Group to implement what is pitched as the world’s first checkout-free store within a hotel.

Situated in the Yokohama Techno Tower Hotel, it is also the first store in Japan open to the general public that uses biometric authentication technology to verify customers’ identities. 

Buy now, pay later specialist Clearpay is to become the principal partner of London Fashion Week.

The two-year deal, which kicks off this month, will see Clearpay team with the British Fashion Council (BFC) to offer shoppable moments and interactive concepts for consumers.

Home Depot has opened a 1.5 million square foot automated fulfilment centre in Dallas, as part of the retailer's $1.2 billion supply chain investment announced in 2017.

Shopify is expanding its online checkout service Shop Pay to merchants selling on Facebook and Instagram. 

This is the first time the solution will move beyond the e-commerce platform provider’s merchant stores. 

Yamamay, part of Pianoforte Group, has extended its use of Aptos PLM to support the Italian underwear brand’s sustainability initiatives.

UAE omnichannel retailer, Danube Home, has rolled out Netcore Solutions’ AI powered marketing automation platform.

BT has inked a multi-year agreement with Walgreens Boots Alliance to continue to be the company’s network partner in the UK and Republic of Ireland. 

Fashion label TELFAR has teamed with Klarna to offer US shoppers the ability to purchase its unisex bags and other apparel and accessories in four equal, interest free payments.

Buy now, pay later venture, Openpay, has announced Brentford F.C. as an official partner and the latest English football club to join its merchant roster. 

McCain Foods has acquired a significant minority share of data science company Fiddlehead Technology.

Waitrose is rolling out a new mobile application that will help it assess and understand the emotional wellbeing of its farm animals.

This has been developed by animal behavioural scientists at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and licensed by the retailer for trial and development for two years.

Holland & Barrett has completed the roll-out of its built from the ground up Bumblebee till system.

Aldi Ireland has begun the roll-out of a new Click and Collect service.

The discount retailer’s first foray into e-commerce in the country, this will allow customers to order their shopping online at least one day, and up to one week, prior to picking it up for a fee of €4.99. 

Tesco Ireland has become the first Irish retailer to create a recycling solution for soft plastics.

Using technology developed by startup Paltech, these will be flaked and prepared for processing into construction materials to be used in the Tesco Ireland network for new stores, and in store maintenance and refits including buildings, car park barriers and signage.

Sign up for our free retail technology newsletter here.