Retail technology deals and deployments at a glance

RTIH rounds up the stand out retail systems deals, deployments and pilots from the past week.

The Walt Disney Company is leveraging Amazon Web Services (AWS) for the global roll-out of its online streaming video services Disney+.

It is using AWS as its preferred public cloud infrastructure provider to expand Disney+ to 59 countries across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America.

Not to be outdone by Amazon and Walmart, The Kroger Co. has teamed with Drone Express, part of TELEGRID Technologies, for a pilot involving grocery delivery via autonomous drones.

Market America Worldwide, owner of e-commerce site SHOP.COM, has partnered with buy now, pay later venture Sezzle.

Sezzle’s platform, enabling people to pay in four instalments over six weeks with zero interest, will be made available to US consumers through SHOP.COM and to all US UnFranchise owners through the UnFranchise.com website beginning early summer. 

Woolworths Group has announced plans for its first automated customer fulfilment centre (CFC) in Auburn, New South Wales as it looks to better serve the online grocery needs of Western Sydney customers.

If approved by the NSW Government, the retailer will build the facility in partnership with Knapp, whose automation technology will help personal shoppers pick and dispatch up to 50,000 deliveries a week. 

BJ’s Wholesale Club has launched a new BJ’s Optical service which allows members to virtually try on and purchase sunglasses and prescription eyewear from home.

KFC UK & Ireland is using Peak’s artificial intelligence system to unlock value from its restaurant and core menu data.

Boxing equipment supplier, Boxfit UK, recently swapped out an on-premise ERP for Brightpearl tech as it migrated its online shop to BigCommerce.

Sally Beauty Holdings is deploying Revionics’ intelligent pricing platform.

Contentsquare is working with bed and mattress specialist Dreams to help the brand optimise its digital presence.

The aim is to create a seamless digital journey across all platforms, detect changes in customer behaviour and act quickly on insights.

Australian retailer Coles Group has partnered with RELEX Solutions on a project involving end-to-end supply chain planning for fresh produce categories as well as its long-term inventory planning capabilities

Amazon’s Key by Amazon In-Garage Grocery Delivery service is expanding to everywhere grocery delivery from the e-commerce giant is available, covering more than 5,000 US cities and towns. 

Originally launched in five cities last November, the offering enables Prime members to have their Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market groceries dropped off inside their garage.

La Redoute is transitioning its online marketplace business onto Mirakl’s platform.

Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com has been using China’s Digital Currency Electronic Payment, or DCEP, system to pay the salaries of some employees.

The digital currency is backed and overseen by the country’s central government.

JD made its announcement in a blog post while announcing its participation in the one-year DCEP trial show at the fourth Digital China Summit in Fuzhou.

This revealed that it has also tapped the DCEP solution in business-to-business payments to partner firms as well as cross-bank settlements.

Target’s Roundel offshoot has integrated with CitrusAd’s retail media platform, making it easier for advertisers to connect with its digital audience.

From May, brands will have the ability to launch and manage their Target Product Ad campaigns via CitrusAd’s self-serve platform or enlist the support of the company’s managed services team.

Sign up for our free retail technology newsletter here.