Top 10: last week’s most read retail technology articles
These are the RTIH articles that caught your fancy last week, including Getir, Gorillas, THG Ingenuity, Jitterbit, Boots UK, Nordstrom, AiFi, and 7-Eleven.
THG Ingenuity boosts tech platform with Jitterbit tie up
Jitterbit has announced a partnership with THG Ingenuity, the end to end e-commerce business of THG, formerly known as The Hut Group.
This will see the latter use Jitterbit’s API integration technologies to connect to clients' existing business systems, such as warehouse and logistics platforms, ERP software and third-party delivery.
Getir to acquire rapid delivery rival Gorillas: Here’s why it had to happen
Quick commerce big hitter, Getir, is in advanced talks to buy rival Gorillas, according to a report by Bloomberg.
The proposed deal would be a mix of cash and equity.
The Bloomberg article notes that, “the combination would give Getir, which is backed by Mubadala Investment Co. and Sequoia Capital, scale in key European markets, including the UK and Germany.”
“Gorillas, which last raised funds at a $3 billion valuation a year ago, has been exploring options after investors became more cautious on the money losing industry. Representatives for Getir and Gorillas declined to comment."
7-Eleven launches store operations, CX innovation challenge
Convenience retailer 7-Eleven is teaming up with retail and consumer investment and innovation firm, True, to find innovative ways to simplify store operations in the US and Canada.
The pair are hoping to find innovators and businesses that can free up time for 7-Eleven associates so they can focus on the customer and provide excellent service.
Last week’s biggest retail technology plays at a glance
RTIH rounds up the stand out retail systems deals, deployments and pilots from the past seven days. Featuring Walmart, A.S. Watson, Sephora, McDonald’s, Amazon, and Printemps.
OnBuy boss Cas Paton opens up about market disruptor challenges
Cas Paton, Founder and CEO at UK-based online marketplace, OnBuy, has taken to social media to discuss the most challenging time of his career.
Ann Hawkins takes on Director of IT role at Boots UK
Ann Hawkins is starting a new position as Director of IT - Business Services Platform at Boots UK.
She joins from Boots parent company, Walgreens Boots Alliance, where she served as Director, Transformation Lead - Business Services.
Nordstrom tech exec Edmond Mesrobian is leaving the company
Nordstrom Chief Technology and Information Officer Edmond Mesrobian has stepped down from his position, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The retailer is currently searching for his replacement.
Mesrobian joined Nordstrom from Tesco in 2018, taking on a role that had been vacant for over a year.
Highlights of his time at the company included overseeing a restructuring of its technology team, with the aim of leveraging AI to boost the customer experience.
AiFi opens 80 computer vision powered autonomous stores
AiFi has reached the milestone of 80 autonomous retail stores open worldwide.
By working with technology providers and retailers such as Verizon, Microsoft, Carrefour, Aldi, Compass Group, Sodexo, Choice Market and Żabka Group, AiFi says that it has deployed the largest number of camera only, computer vision powered stores across North America, Europe, Middle East, and Asia.
Trinny London enlists Excellent Zephyr and Patchworks for NetSuite project
D2C beauty brand, Trinny London, says that it has modernised its business operations and in turn enhanced its customer experience with the help of digital agency Excellent Zephyr and the Patchworks (iPaas) platform.
Originally conceived as a digital first business, Trinny London now sells its products in-store through the British department stores Fenwick and Harvey Nichols, and has just announced its first permanent retail presence in the US at Saks Fifth Avenue.
It implemented NetSuite’s solution to optimise its back end operations.
Shoe retailer Clarks is winning at TikTok. Here’s why
After a retailer that is successfully tapping TikTok? Then look no further than Clarks.
In a LinkedIn post, Elle-Louise Wilmot, Rotational Graduate at TikTok and Founder at Truly Twenties, says: “Not enough people are talking about the Clarks TikTok channel. So I’m going to.”
The company can teach a lot of brands how to maximise their potential on the platform, she argues.
“They’ve been jumping onto trends with reactive content. Sometimes being the first out of brands to take the opportunity,” Wilmot comments.
“AKA; getting their graphic designer editing corn into the shoes for the viral corn song AND then photoshopping Rodger Cleye into their content.”
She adds: “They are on it and they are quick.”
