The five biggest retail technology news stories of the week
It’s Friday, the weekend is almost upon us, 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 AMC Theatres, Gopuff, and Retail Technology Show 2022.
1. AMC Theatres mobile app now accepts Dogecoin and Shiba Inu
American cinema giant AMC Theatres has updated its mobile app to accept Dogecoin, Shibu Inu and other cryptocurrencies as payment across the USA.
The company first started accepting crypto payments last year, enabling customers to purchase movie tickets online using Bitcoin, Ether, Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin.
Earlier this year, Adam Aron, CEO at AMC Theatres, promised the addition of DOGE and SHIB by March.
So, a little bit late, but we’re sure all you crypto fanboys and girls out there aren’t complaining.
2. GoPuff makes key appointment as it preps global expansion
Rapid delivery big hitter GoPuff has appointed Maria Renz to the position of Senior Vice President of North America.
Renz will oversee strategy and execution in the US as the quick commerce firm looks to expand its presence across markets.
She joins from FinTech venture SoFi, where she served as Executive Vice President of Consumer Finance and Wealth Management.
She has also held several leadership positions at Amazon, leading most of the US retail categories including health and beauty as well as launching and managing grocery.
3. Gener8's Sam Jones and investor Tinie Tempah join Retail Technology Show speaker line up
Sam Jones, the founder of Gener8, the digital data firm which rose to fame on Dragon’s Den, and Gener8 investor and platinum selling British rap artist, Tinie Tempah, have been confirmed as headline speakers at Retail Technology Show.
The event takes place next week at London’s Olympia (on 26th-27th April).
The Sam Jones and Tinie Tempah session will unpick the journey of the aforementioned startup and its roadmap to a projected £1 billion business by 2030.
It will also explore changes to the digital landscape that will present new commercial opportunities to retailers and brands, the rise of NFTs and the impact of data privacy changes, both to consumers and to those looking to engage shoppers.
4. Amazon Buy with Prime service goes live, pitched at DTC brands
In its latest move to compete with FedEx and UPS, Amazon has announced Buy with Prime, which extends Prime shopping to online stores beyond Amazon.com.
Buy with Prime will initially be available by invitation only for merchants using Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA) and will roll-out through 2022 as merchants are allowed to take par,, including those not selling on Amazon or using FBA.
The service will allow US-based Prime members to shop directly from merchants’ online stores and take advantage of fast, free delivery, and free returns on eligible orders.
Prime members will see the Prime logo and delivery promise on eligible products in merchants’ online stores.
5. UBS Arena in New York taps Amazon Just Walk Out tech for On the Fly stores
For the first time, Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology is being used at a sports and entertainment venue in New York.
UBS Arena, home of the NHL’s New York Islanders, now has two food and beverage stores equipped with the checkout-free stores solution.
Customers insert their credit card at the entry gates to shop.
Anything they take off the shelf is automatically added to their virtual cart, and anything they put back on the shelf comes out of said cart.
Once done, they will be able to leave the store and the credit card they inserted will be charged for the items they took.
