Top 10: last week’s most popular retail technology articles
These are the RTIH articles that caught your fancy last week, including Secret Sales, Forever 21, Asda, AiFi, and Sensei.
Former Asos boss Nick Beighton joins online fashion platform Secret Sales
Nick Beighton, the former Asos Chief Executive, is returning to the online fashion sector and taking on the role of Chairman at Secret Sales, which helps premium brands sell surplus stock.
The company, which was bought by retail entrepreneurs Chris Griffin and Matt Purt just over two years ago, recorded sales growth of over 150% during the last 12 months.
It secured €10 million in funding in 2021. This has now been followed up with additional funding to accelerate its international growth strategy.
Secret Sales has operations in the UK, Netherlands and Belgium and plans to expand to a further 12 international territories over the next two years.
Forever 21 x Barbie collection launches metaverse experience on Roblox
Fashion retailer, Forever 21, has announced a collaboration with Mattel’s Barbie brand.
A new limited edition collection includes a range of vintage style apparel items, swim, sleepwear, beauty, and accessories as well as home décor, inspired by the Barbie DreamHouse.
This will be simultaneously available in-store, online, and in the Forever 21 Shop City experience on Roblox.
Asda taps Salesforce retail technology for digital transformation project
UK big four supermarket Asda is set to deploy Salesforce technology as it looks to give “a 360-degree view of its customers, providing personalised and tailored experiences that will revolutionise the consumer grocery experience”.
Leveraging Salesforce’s full retail suite, including Commerce Cloud, Service Cloud, and Marketing Cloud, Asda says it will create a cloud first environment that “gives its 18 million customers one connected and consistent experience across every channel and device, no matter where or how they choose to interact with the brand”.
The initiative comes as the business separates from Walmart.
Gig economy startup Reflex closes $4.5m seed funding round
Reflex, an online marketplace that connects retail associates with brands in need of staffing help, has emerged from stealth and announced a $4.5 million oversubscribed seed funding round.
This was led by Indicator Ventures, with additional investment from Sugar Capital and Red Swan Ventures.
Here’s what happened in the retail technology space during May
RTIH takes a look back at an eventful month for the retail tech sector, including Retail Technology Show 2023, Amazon, Gopuff, Starbucks, Ikea, and Walmart.
Co-op and Microsoft launch Caboodle platform to tackle food waste
Co-op and Microsoft, supported by technology consultancy BJSS and Team ITG, have created Caboodle, a not for profit digital platform that enables UK supermarkets, cafés and restaurants to connect with community groups and volunteers to redistribute surplus food.
Bartek Małecki takes on Head of Development role at AiFi
Autonomous stores firm AiFi has appointed Bartek Małecki as Head of Development.
He joins from private equity player MidEuropa where he served as Principal.
May: retail technology deals and deployments at a glance
RTIH rounds up the stand out retail tech deals, deployments and pilots from May, including Alimentation Couche-Tard, Walmart, H&M Group, Asda, The Very Group, Netto, and Starbucks.
May: top ten coolest retail technology plays
RTIH Editor, Scott Thompson, brings you his stand out ‘future of retail’ tech deployments from last month, including augmented reality movie experiences, automated shopping for racing fans, and rapid grocery delivery services.
Sensei looks to disrupt vending machine space with autonomous cabinet
Sensei has launched what is pitched as “the first ever autonomous cabinet, revolutionising the vending machine and bringing ultra convenience to consumers in offices, stations, universities, gyms and more”.
