The six biggest retail technology news stories of the week
It’s Friday, the week is almost done, so let’s kick back and reflect on another eventful week for the retail systems space. Here's your briefing on the most important stories from the past five days, including Apple, PrettyLittleThing, Gopuff, Waitrose and Scandit.
1. Apple preps Tap to Pay on iPhone launch
Apple is set to introduce a new Tap to Pay iPhone feature that turns the device into a contactless payment terminal.
Later this year, US merchants will be able to accept Apple Pay and other contactless payments, such as credit cards and debit cards, by using an iPhone and a partner enabled iOS app.
Tap to Pay on iPhone will be available for payment platforms and app developers to integrate into their iOS apps and offer as a payment option to their business customers.
Stripe will be the first payment platform to offer Tap to Pay on iPhone to their business customers, including the Shopify Point of Sale app this spring.
2. PrettyLittleThing makes metaverse move with first virtual model
Fashion retailer, PrettyLittleThing, has entered the metaverse with the introduction of its first ever digital model.
‘’As a reactive brand we have always listened to our customers’ requests to provide them with innovative and progressive content,” says a PrettyLittleThing spokesperson.
“Virtual Girl bridges the gap between the metaverse and real life, where for the first time, our customers can discover products showcased by the latest addition to our model/influencer family.”
3. Waitrose preps Deliveroo Hop rapid delivery service trial
Waitrose is gearing up to trial the Deliveroo Hop rapid delivery service which launched in September 2021.
The first Hop delivery only store, in partnership with Waitrose, will open in Bermondsey, London later this month.
It will give access from 8am-midnight each day to products in as little as ten minutes.
Shoppers will be able to use the Deliveroo app to choose from more than 1,000 Waitrose lines.
The trial builds on Waitrose’s existing partnership with Deliveroo, which delivers food from 150 of the retailer’s stores across the UK in as little as 20 minutes.
4. Carlyle and PayPal back e-commerce startup Shopware
Shopware, a digital commerce software solutions provider in the DACH region, has raised $100 million in funding from Carlyle and PayPal.
This is the first outside funding that Shopware has ever raised, the venture having been bootstrapped since it was founded in 2000.
Founders Sebastian and Stefan Hamann will retain a significant majority stake in the business and remain co-CEOs of the company.
Carlyle and PayPal’s cash will help drive Shopware’s international expansion and the development of new products.
5. Scandit wraps up major Series D funding round
Smart data capture specialist, Scandit, has announced a Series D funding round of $150 million at a valuation in excess of $1 billion.
This was led by Warburg Pincus, and included participation from Scandit’s existing shareholder base, including Atomico, Forestay Capital, G2VP, GV, Kreos, NGP Capital, Schneider Electric, Sony Innovation Fund by IGV and Swisscom Ventures.
To date, Scandit has raised almost $300 million.
6. Gopuff hires Bryan Batista as Senior Vice President of International
US-based rapid delivery startup, Gopuff, has announced the appointment of Bryan Batista as Senior Vice President of International.
Batista previously served as CEO of Booking.com’s Rentalcars.com business.
Prior to that, he worked at Tesla Motors in both the US and Europe.
Based in the UK, he will report to Gopuff’s co-founders and co-CEOs Yakir Gola and Rafael IIishayev. He will officially join the leadership team in March.
