RTIH presents the retail technology week in numbers
Do you like numbers? Do you like news from the fast moving retail systems space? Then this is the article for you. Including AiFi, Getir, Walmart, Iceland, Klarna, and Primark.
$65 million…Checkout-free technology startup AiFi has raised $65 million in a Series B funding round.
Qualcomm and Verizon Communications participated in the round through their venture arms.
Discounter Aldi, German supermarket chain REWE and Polish convenience giant Żabka Group also took part.
The round brings AiFi’s total funding to $80 million, with the cash primarily being used to expand its technical team.
13…Primark could add Click and Collect services to its revamped website, although new stores in markets such as Italy and the United States are the fast fashion retailer’s main growth driver.
It said it would launch a new website in the United Kingdom by the end of March, and across its 13 other markets by the autumn.
This will provide customers with near real-time information on product availability by store and enable Primark to tap the data of its customers.
10…Consulting firm, Baringa, has announced the line-up of companies that will feature on its Startup Safari initiative at Retail Technology Show next month.
Taking place at London’s Olympia on 26th-27th April, this will enable visitors to explore the top ten picks of the most exciting technologies set to disrupt the retail sector.
The top ten consists of: London Dynamics; Ometria; Personify XP; Shoppermotion; Blockdox; TruRating; Slip; Brand Conscience; Kindred; Face Donate.
85%…Parcel delivery firm, Hermes UK, is rebranding as Evri.
This comes just months after an investigation by The Times flagged couriers launching parcels around a depot in a bid to save time.
However, the company said the move is not related to that report.
One of the first announcements under the new logo and identity will be the firm auto-enrolling its self-employed plus (SE+) couriers, 85% of its network, into a pension by the end of this year.
$12 billion and $768 million…Turkish rapid grocery delivery startup, Getir, is now worth nearly $12 billion after raising $768 million.
350…Walgreens owned Boots UK has launched its first ever IT Stores Day.
Yesterday, the retailer’s IT team visited over 350 stores across the UK.
This was “a chance for IT professionals throughout Walgreens Boots Alliance to reconnect with the engine of this amazing business and chance for our colleagues and friends scattered across the county to understand a little bit about what IT can do for every part of the retail estate.”
4…Iceland is rolling out its Swift c-store format, and has decided upon London as the next location.
Launched as a single store pilot in Newcastle last year, Swift will extend to four more stores in London over the next few months, with the first one located in Wembley.
$100 million…E-commerce platform developer, Amplience, has raised $100 million in a Series D funding round led by Farview Equity Partners and Sixth Street.
Existing investor Octopus Ventures also participated.
$135 million…Product experience management and product information management specialist, Akeneo, has bagged $135 million in Series D financing.
5,000…Walmart Global Tech is planning to hire 5,000 people globally this fiscal year and open new technology hubs in Atlanta, USA and Toronto, Canada.
67%…New research by buy now pay later big hitter Klarna shows how, in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, UK consumers have become increasingly reliant on their mobile devices and shopping apps.
The FinTech’s 2021 Mobile Shopping Report, which surveyed more than 13,000 consumers across 13 countries, finds that in the UK, where strict lockdown policies were in place, 67% of people now shop via their mobile devices more often compared to two years ago.
$50 million…ChannelEngine, an online marketplace integration platform, has closed a $50 million Series B funding round led by Atomico, with participation from General Catalyst, and existing backers Inkef and Airbridge Equity Partners.
10…Fraikin has delivered 10 new CNG powered tractor units into operation with AO, as the online electricals retailer looks to reduce its carbon footprint across its commercial vehicle fleet.
