Top 10: last week’s most popular retail technology articles
These are the RTIH retail systems articles that caught your fancy last week, including Amazon, Carrefour UAE, Gorillas, and Target.
Amazon hits Southwark, London as it opens 16th UK Amazon Fresh store
Amazon has opened an Amazon Fresh store in Southwark, London, powered by its Just Walk Out technology.
Situated at 110 Southwark Street, SE1 0TA, this is the first of these checkout-free stores to launch in the UK during 2022.
It’s also the 16th such location on these shores, lining up alongside the likes of Camden, Ealing, White City Canary Wharf and Holborn Chancery Lane.
To shop, customers scan the QR code from their Amazon app, buy what they need, and walk out.
Amazon closes physical stores: industry observers have their say
The e-commerce giant told Reuters that physical retail remains an important way for it to reach shoppers.
It will continue to work on other concepts, such as its recently announced fashion location in greater Los Angeles and checkout-free grocery stores.
Amazon only opened the doors to the first Amazon 4-star store outside of the US during October of last year.
So somewhat understandably the move has some scratching their heads, although others have stressed that this is Amazon playing a long game.
Uncrowd boss slams rapid grocery delivery mad parade
Is there a more divisive part of the retail sector right now than rapid grocery delivery?
Whilst many VCs see a fantastic opportunity, others, including Richard Hammond, CEO at retail analytics startup, Uncrowd, argue that the space is an accident waiting to happen.
Carrefour taps green retail technology for first BIO store in UAE
Carrefour has opened its first BIO store in the UAE, featuring the retailer’s first ever café and an in-store hydroponic farm.
With over 3,000 items to choose from, the store specialises in healthy and organic products spanning from food and beverages to beauty, personal, and home care items.
Target Curbside Drive Up service adds Starbucks and returns
Target is to begin testing the option for customers in select markets to add a Starbucks order or make a return within its curbside service via the retailer’s app.
Target will also expand its “backup item” functionality in even more categories to allow people to pick up everything on their lists.
This is part of its strategy of using its nearly 2,000 stores as fulfilment hubs, powering its suite of contactless same-day services.
LVMH and boohoo among brands confirmed to speak at Akeneo Unlock
Product experience management (PXM) and product information management (PIM) specialist Akeneo has announced that Akeneo Unlock is returning as an in-person event at the Maison de la Mutualité in Paris, on 15th and 16th March.
It will welcome such brands as LVMH, Remy Cointreau, boohoo, Accor Hotels and Royal Canin, who will share insights into how they leverage PXM as a cornerstone of their commerce strategies.
They will also share best practice on how they balance traditional with digital product experiences while maintaining brand consistency as they embrace omnichannel selling, and how they share brand values through rich product experiences.
Big hitters announced for Metaverse Fashion Week event
Tokens.com has announced that Cavalli, Dolce & Gabbana, Elie Saab, Etro, Jacob & Co., and Tommy Hilfiger have joined the official lineup for the first ever Metaverse Fashion Week.
The event will be held on property owned by Tokens.com’s subsidiary, Metaverse Group, and leased to Decentraland as the host.
It will take place from 24th-27th March.
The need for speed is killing the rapid grocery delivery sector
Gorillas is abandoning its 10 minute grocery delivery guarantee, and is now promising to “deliver in minutes" with no guarantee of when the order will arrive.
In addition, the company is removing its logos and other advertising from across the windows of its dark stores.
These are wise moves, according to Brittain Ladd, a former Amazon exec and supply chain consultant.
February 2022: retail technology deals and deployments at a glance
RTIH rounds up the stand out retail tech deals, deployments and pilots from February, including Best Buy, Ocado Group, Groupe Casino, Asos, Amazon, Carrefour, and Ikea.
A new deal for data in the metaverse: how to create value for all
Check out this insightful article by Joe Abi Akl, Chief Corporate Development Officer, Majid Al Futtaim and Guillaume Thfoin, Head of Business Analytics & Intelligence, Majid Al Futtaim.
