The five 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 boohoo, Paris Hilton, Tesco, Gorillas, and Instacart.
1. boohoo makes metaverse move with Paris Hilton Fashion Week tie up
Online fashion retailer boohoo has teamed up with entrepreneur and realty TV star Paris Hilton for her virtual Fashion Week, which will be held in Paris World (an island built in Roblox).
boohoo has worked with MilkMoney, a marketplace for out-of-home (OOH) media buying, to secure billboard inventory.
It is the first brand to advertise in the metaverse during Fashion Week, pitched as “a natural and strategic next step for the brand”.
2. Instacart and Lowe's announce same day delivery service
Instacart and Lowe's are teaming up to pilot same day delivery in as fast as one hour.
Customers can now have approximately 20,000 Lowe's items, including small home appliances, building supplies, light fixtures, garden and outdoor essentials, delivered from the store to their door.
The service is initially available in Boston and Charlotte, with plans to expand in the coming months.
Lowe's is the first dedicated home improvement partner available on the Instacart marketplace.
3. Tesco and Gorillas take rapid grocery delivery tie up to Manchester
Tesco has extended its rapid grocery delivery partnership with Gorillas to Manchester.
Customers living near Tesco’s Stretford Extra store can now order from a large range of the retailer’s products in the Gorillas app, and get them delivered within 10 minutes.
The pair launched a pilot in October of last year
The first stores to be involved in the partnership were in Lewisham and Thornton Heath, London.
The aim is to establish “co-located physical warehouses” within a total of five Tesco stores.
4. Ocado eyes growth opportunities in France following Groupe Casino deal
Ocado Group has signed a memorandum of understanding with French partner, Groupe Casino, enabling it to offer its technology to other grocers in France.
The former previously had an exclusivity agreement to work only with Groupe Casino in France.
Casino was Ocado’s first major international technology partner, but after inking an agreement in 2017 it has only opened one Ocado powered warehouse since, in the greater Paris area.
5. Shein launches #Sheinforall virtual fashion show
Fast fashion giant Shein has hosted a virtual runway show (dubbed #Sheinforall).
The livestream initiative, which took place on Sunday via Shein’s mobile app as well as its YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook channels, featured models from around the world, showcasing the retailer’s spring/summer 2022 collection.
The event used green screen technology to bring the catwalk to life, with the aim of celebrating body inclusivity and diversity.
