Check out RTIH’s most popular retail technology articles on LinkedIn
Here at RTIH, we’re big fans of LinkedIn and are busy building an amazing community of retail tech enthusiasts on the social media platform. These are the articles that are currently on their radars, including Żabka Group, AiFi, Marks and Spencer, Kingfisher, 3D Cloud by Marxent, REWE, and Trigo.
1. Żabka Group hits AiFi powered autonomous Nano stores milestone
Polish convenience giant Żabka Group has opened its 50th Żabka Nano checkout-free store.
These leverage AI powered computer vision technology created via cooperation with AiFi.
In a LinkedIn post, Patryk Powierża, Żabka Nano Growth, said: “BOOM! Store number 50 has been opened.”
“After about a year from opening the first autonomous outlet, we have reached the milestone of 50 stores.”
“That number strengthens our position as the biggest chain of autonomous stores in Europe. Easily you can estimate one week – now new store. It’s HUGE!”
2. M&S Tech Council puts focus on sustainability technology
Marks and Spencer last week activated an M&S Tech Council, which brought its top technology partners together to tackle at speed some of the biggest challenges the retailer faces.
“Our mission is not just to meet regularly but to foster an innovative and collaborative culture to transform how we serve our 30 million customers each year,” Mike Yorwerth, Chief Technology Officer at Marks and Spencer, said in a LinkedIn post.
“What better way to kick start this than by facing into one of the biggest commitments we’ve made to ourselves and customers; decarbonising M&S and our operations to be fully net zero across our entire value chain by 2040 - from mills to tills and farms to forks.”
He added: “Sharon Peters, who heads up sustainability tech for M&S, outlined what we need to do – and while the scale and speed with which we need to act with is scary and urgent – each of us identified huge opportunities to make a real difference.”
“We were all inspired for action and I am very much looking forward to the results that will be achieved from this.”
3. Hugo Boss enlists Nedap for global RFID roll-out
Hugo Boss has selected Nedap’s iD Cloud platform for its retail business.
The aim of this tie up is to create supply chain visibility, improve merchandise availability and to deliver excellent shopping experiences.
Nedap’s inventory management platform Hugo Boss with end-to-end, real-time inventory visibility and optimal merchandise availability using RFID technology.
As part of the project, all Hugo Boss global stores will be equipped with Nedap’s iD Cloud store app, allowing fast and regular stock counts, efficient replenishment, and smart refill suggestions.
By knowing exactly what is in stock in stores, Hugo Boss can offer services such as Ship-From-Store and Click & Collect (BOPIS) in an efficient manner.
4. XY Retail secures seed round from Monta Vista Capital
PoS and omnichannel commerce solution startup XY Retail has closed a $4 million seed round led by Monta Vista Capital with participation from Stage 1 Ventures.
The cash will be used to accelerate the company’s global roll-out of its XY platform to luxury brands.
The aim is to help them digitise their enterprises and manage their entire global retail operations— from data decisioning, stock management, and order fulfilment to hyper-personalising the clientelling and merchandising experience.
5. H&M Group taps Google Cloud tech for CX and supply chain push
Google Cloud has announced a new partnership with H&M Group which will see the Swedish multinational leverage its data analytics capabilities and sustainable global infrastructure to enhance its customer experience and supply chain enablement.
The pair will collaborate to develop an enterprise data backbone including a core data platform, data product, and advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities.
This will also include the establishment of a new data mesh to further make all types of data and events accessible from multiple sources including in-store, online, its brands ecosystem and suppliers.
6. Kingfisher deploys new 3D Cloud by Marxent technology
3D Cloud by Marxent is partnering with Kingfisher to roll-out new 3D visualisation, planning, and design tech across a number of its banners.
The initiative includes a 3D kitchen, bathroom, and storage planner with virtual reality capabilities in addition to a series of mobile 3D product configurators.
Kingfisher's B&Q and Brico Depot Romania have launched the system in the UK, Republic of Ireland and Romania.
B&Q UK has also rolled out a line-up of intuitive, mobile first 3D product configurators for fireplaces and for the Kingfisher exclusive Atomia and Alara product lines.
Using the aforementioned tools, shoppers are able to explore, design, visualise and checkout in a single app. More sophisticated design features are available for experienced designers.
7. Dutch supermarket chain PLUS places ESLs orders with Pricer
Pricer has received an order of approximately 90 MSEK from the Dutch co-operative supermarket chain PLUS to equip 128 additional stores, previously under the Coop banner, with electronic shelf labels.
The roll-out is planned to start during Q1 2023 with the initial delivery scheduled for November and consecutive deliveries in March 2023.
8. REWE preps Trigo powered hybrid checkout-free supermarket launch in Berlin
REWE Group has announced the upcoming opening of a second Trigo powered hybrid checkout-free supermarket.
Located in Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin, Germany, this builds on a launch last year in Cologne.
Shoppers at the 400 square metre Schönhauser Allee location can walk in and grab items including fresh baked goods, weighted fruits and vegetables and other grocery products, then exit the store and receive a receipt within minutes.
A traditional checkout option will also be available.
9. TAGR raises $1.15 million for mobile self-checkout platform
Australia-based retail technology startup TAGR has raised $1.15 million.
Its scan and pay platform enables retailers to offer mobile checkout to their customers within a 48 hour period, with integration to their PoS system.
TAGR says that the seed round involved a number of investors, retail brands and high net worth individuals.
The capital injection will be used to build globally supported infrastructure and penetrate the US and North America markets come August/September.
Since its launch in early January, TAGR has bagged more than 10,000 users among a handful of stores.
10. Omi raises €6 million in seed funding for 3D modelling tech
Omi, a French startup that specialises in SaaS software for modelling and rendering 3D photo and video for brands, has raised €6 million in seed funding.
The round was led by Dawn Capital, with participation from a range of angel investors including Founders Future’s Marc Ménasé who led Omi’s previous round, Zenly cofounder Alexis Bonillo, Deezer founder Daniel Marhely and Voodoo cofounder Laurent Ritter.
There was also participation from Pareto Holdings, Financière Saint James (Veepee.com’s co-founder family office), Motier Ventures (Galeries Lafayette family office) and Famille C Venture (Clarins family office).
Omi says that its photo-realistic 3D technology enables brands and marketers to “virtualise their products and create photos and videos of their products in minutes, with no skills and at low cost”.
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