Social media and on-demand delivery firsts: presenting this week's coolest retail technology plays
RTIH Editor, Scott Thompson, brings you his top ‘future of retail’ systems launches and deployments from the past week, including Pinterest, eBay, Walmart, Zapp, Bobbie, Uber Eats, and Tiffany & Co.
Pinterest and eBay
Pinterest reports that eBay has launched its very first Idea Ads with Paid Partnership campaign on the social media platform.
eBay’s first collaboration with creators on Pinterest aims to inspire Pinners to celebrate ‘Christmas Your Way’, showcasing Christmas traditions and realising their home's true potential through DIY and gifting for the festive season.
The content encourages Pinners to gift and decorate thoughtfully this Christmas, demonstrating minimalistic tablescapes, homemade flower baubles and creative wreaths for all the family to get involved with.
The project showcases the collaboration of eBay and three UK Pinterest creators Poppy Deyes, Making the Manor, and Tiffany Grant-Riley.
TalkShopLive and JLo Beauty
Live commerce platform TalkShopLive and JLo Beauty have launched their first ever shoppable video in partnership with Vogue’s Beauty Secrets video series.
This is hosted by Vogue’s December cover star Jennifer Lopez who shares her beauty regimen featuring JLo Beauty, and also exclusively debuts two new JLo Body products which are available for purchase within the TalkShopLive video player.
Bobbie and Uber Eats
Bobbie is partnering with Uber Eats to deliver its organic, European inspired infant formula to New Yorkers’ doors.
The pilot is taking the direct-to-consumer formula brand on-demand this holiday season for the first time ever.
“Formula is food and nourishes our most vulnerable population. For years, we’ve helped our customers order nearly every type of food on Uber Eats, and we’re so proud to work with Bobbie to now help parents and caregivers get their babies formula on-demand through our app,“ says Beryl Sanders, Head of New Verticals Partnerships at Uber Eats.
“As a Bobbie mom myself, I know how important it is to have access to high quality formula at any given moment.”
“This first of its kind partnership couldn’t have come at a better time against the backdrop of this year’s formula shortage, and we’re thrilled to offer New Yorkers the opportunity to get their beloved Bobbie on Uber Eats.”
Tiffany & Co.
Zapp
Zapp has launched what is pitched as London's first 24/7 emergency Christmas turkey delivery service.
The company is stocking whole turkeys (£149.99) from organic farm producer Daylesford, available to order up to, and including, 25th December.
Customers can also purchase the likes of gravy, pigs in blankets, brussel sprouts, parsnips, and Yorkshire puddings.
Zapp is also stocking Christmas food essentials to see people through the whole day, from smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels to chocolates.
The service builds on Zapp's last minute Christmas gift store, launched earlier this month.
Trendio
Former Vice President of US Prime Video Alex Perez-Tenessa and entrepreneur David Olmos have launched Trendio, a video shopping app that lets users view personalised shoppable content.
The startup has also brought in former Amazon Live employee Julie Novak and former Glossier executive Leah Grubb to shape the platform.
With seed round investment from venture capital firm Madrona, an early backer of Amazon, the Trendio team compiled an advisory board including former Member of the Board of QVC Michael Zeisser, founder of Amazon Live Munira Rahemtulla, and former CEO of Zulily Jeff Yurcisin.
"We're reinventing shopping entertainment for a new generation," says Perez-Tenessa.
"We launched Trendio because traditional e-commerce wasn't working for customers who wanted to discover new beauty brands and products in a way that felt personal and that they could trust.”
“Our technology roadmap not only enhances the shopping journey, it reinvents how people experience video altogether - we are creating the first ever personalised video experience."
Uber Eats and Cartken
Uber Eats and Cartken have announced a partnership for food deliveries via the latter’s self-driving robots in Miami, Florida.
The pair have begun operating with select merchants in the Dadeland area of Miami-Dade County with plans to expand in Miami-Dade and to additional cities in 2023.
Uber Eats is Cartken’s first formal partnership with a global on-demand delivery app beyond college campuses.
Walmart
Walmart has announced a free Text to Shop functionality for iOS and Android users.
The retailer tested out the feature last year.
In an online post, Dominique Essig, Vice President, Conversational Commerce, Store No8, Walmart’s retail tech incubator, said: “Text to Shop is seamlessly connected to your Walmart account, so we know your usual ordered items.”
“Simply text the items you need, and they get added to your cart. Choose from the full selection of Walmart’s products, including items from your local store and from Walmart.com. Text “reorder” to quickly review and add your frequently ordered items to your cart.”
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