The six biggest retail technology news stories of the week
It’s Thursday, the Easter weekend is almost here, 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 few days, including boohoo in the metaverse, and an explosive Instacart related outburst by Bolt founder Ryan Breslow.
1. boohoo hits the metaverse with female lead NFT collection
Fast fashion big hitter boohoo has announced the launch of its first NFT collection.
Phase one of the brand’s move into this space included the launch of NFT education and community building platform @boohooverse on Twitter and Discord, which aims to onboard the female fashion community into Web3 ahead of the first drop.
boohoo ran a competition to support a second phase. This recruited artists in the NFT space to be part of what is pitched as “the biggest female led NFT collection yet”.
2. Bolt founder Ryan Breslow blasts ‘vicious’ Instacart backer Sequoia Capital
Ryan Breslow, founder of online checkout technology startup, Bolt, has launched an extraordinary attack on Instacart investor Sequoia Capital.
In a series of Twitter posts, Breslow claimed that “Sequoia murdered Instacart’s founder Apoorva Mehta in cold blood”.
Last year, Instacart appointed Fidji Simo as its new CEO, just seven months after she joined the grocery delivery company’s board of directors.
Simo, formerly the VP and Head of the Facebook app, replaced Mehta, with Mehta transitioning to executive chairman of the board.
Breslow said on Twitter: “As far as the mob goes, Sequoia is the Don. As vicious as they come. Their violence is done in silence. Experts at pressure & power.”
3. Standard AI powers autonomous retail experience at American Airlines Center
The American Airlines Center in Dallas, home of the NBA’s Mavericks and NHL’s Stars, is opening two new autonomous food and beverage experiences.
In collaboration with hospitality partner Levy and its innovation studio, DBK Studio, it has launched a Market To-Go shop on the arena’s Terrace Level, with a second location on the Main Concourse of the arena set to open later this month.
Powered by autonomous retail tech from Standard AI and mobile payment tech from SpotOn, these are pitched as being “among the first food and beverage destinations at a North American sports venue that fully integrate AI and mobile payments for an autonomous experience”.
4. Salsify closes $200 million investment at $2 billion valuation
Commerce experience management commerce platform, Salsify, has closed a $200 million Series F round of financing led by TPG.
The round, which includes investments from Permira’s Growth Opportunities Fund, Neuberger Berman Funds, and Cap Table Coalition, brings Salsify's valuation to $2 billion.
The Series F follows a $155 million Series E led by Warburg Pincus in September 2020, bringing total funding to over $450 million.
The new investment will be used for the likes of global expansion beyond Salsify's existing presence in the US, France, UK, Portugal, and Australia.
5. Retail Technology Show Innovation Awards shortlist announced
The shortlist for Retail Technology Show’s 2022 Innovation Awards has been announced.
Selected from the 200+ retail technology providers who will be exhibiting at the show, which takes place on 26th and 27th at London Olympia, the shortlist can be viewed here.
6. Houston Astros and Amazon bring Just Walk Out tech to Minute Maid Park
For the first time, Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology is live in a Major League Baseball stadium.
Two food and beverage stores, powered by the checkout-free technology, have opened in Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros, ahead of their first home game of the season.
Both offer a selection of snacks, soda, candy, and alcoholic beverages. One also offers pre-packaged salads, wine bottles, and souvenirs.
