Last week’s most read RTIH retail technology articles

These are the retail systems articles that caught your fancy during the past seven days, including just walk out stores, rapid grocery delivery startups and the return of the Starbucks Summer Game.

Morrisons Project Sarah taps AiFi tech for checkout free stores pilot

Morrisons is testing out a store with no checkouts or staff, known internally as Project Sarah, at its Bradford head office.

Britain's fourth largest supermarket, which is currently at the centre of a takeover battle, is working with US venture AiFi on the initiative.

Just walk out stores: how UK retailers are responding to this hot concept

As Morrisons follows Tesco’s lead and starts to explore just walk out stores, RTIH takes a look at the UK retailers leading the way in this booming space.

The joke’s on grocery execs as Jokr and other new entrants power ahead

Far too many grocery executives have failed to understand the threat that Jokr poses to their business, according to Brittain Ladd, a former Amazon exec and supply chain consultant.

The rapid grocery delivery startup recently closed a $170 million Series A funding round, three months after the company started operations in the US, Latin America and Europe.

Led by GGV Capital, Balderton Capital and Tiger Global Management, the funding will allow it to enter new cities and expand in current locations, including its home base of New York City.

British Corner Shop opens European DC as it tackles Brexit and Covid challenges

Online grocery venture, British Corner Shop, has opened a new warehouse in the Netherlands after Brexit caused a surge in demand across Europe.

The 125,000 sq ft unit is the company’s first European warehouse and is set to serve as a distribution centre for customers across Europe and beyond. 

Autonomous checkout venture Imagr opens London popup store

Imagr recently opened its first popup store in London, UK, located on Oxford Street.

The New Zealand-based startup fitted out a Sook adaptable retail space into a mini-market for “a fully immersive autonomous supermarket experience”.

It invited prospective customers, tech experts and press into the space for demonstrations of the offering, which includes smart carts and an imaging station.

Delivery venture Rappi closes major Series G funding round

Colombian on-demand delivery startup, Rappi, has bagged approximately $500 million at a $5.25 billion valuation in a Series G round led by T. Rowe Price.

The venture, which launched in 2015, has now raised over $2 billion in total.

Starbucks Summer Game goes live for Rewards members

Starbucks has launched its annual Summer Game for Starbucks Rewards members.

They can play for the chance to win more than 2.2 million prizes, ranging from coupons for free iced beverages to exclusive summer merchandise.

It’s also possible to enter a sweepstakes to win new types of grand prizes this year, such as Bose Frames Soprano Audio Sunglasses, free handcrafted beverages for three months or 10,000 Stars.

Checkout.com announces BigCommerce payments partnership

Cloud-based payment solutions provider, Checkout.com, has been certified as a BigCommerce Technology Partner.

Retailers ramp up tech investment as Covid restrictions lift

79% of high street retailers are planning to implement more technology solutions this year as bosses rely more than ever on insights from their data, according to research from Fourth.

Tesco Technology seeks new blood to drive solutions forward

Tesco Technology is in the midst of a recruitment drive.

“We are on the cusp of huge technological advancements here in Tesco Technology and we are searching for talented individuals who are ready to drive our innovative solutions forward,” it says in a LinkedIn post.

It adds: “It’s not for the faint hearted – the pace is fast and exciting and the work is varied, wrapped up in a supportive and friendly culture.”

“We have opportunities across the UK, Hungary, Poland and Bengaluru. So, if you think you might be ready, then we are ready for you too.”