The six 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 Żabka Group, AiFi, Walmart, The Very Group, and Amazon.
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. The Very Group appoints former Walmart Japan exec Lionel Desclée as Group CEO
The Very Group, operator of digital retailers Very and Littlewoods, has appointed retail veteran Lionel Desclée as Group CEO.
He will come onboard on 19th September. Current Group CEO Henry Birch will step down on 24th September after four and a half years in the role.
Desclée joins from McKinsey & Company, where he is a senior advisor.
He previously spent three years as President and CEO of Walmart in Japan, where he led a 35,000 strong team at Seiyu, the Japanese supermarket business.
3. Amazon launches first fleet of final mile e-cargo bikes in UK
Working with the London Borough of Hackney, Amazon has launched its first UK micromobility hub for more sustainable deliveries in Central London.
E-cargo bikes and walkers from the facility, along with Amazon’s electric fleet already on London’s roads, will make over five million deliveries a year across more than 10% of the city’s Ultra Low Emission Zone.
4. Race against time as A.S. Watson ramps up retail technology investment
Health and beauty retailer, A.S. Watson, is investing an additional $115 million in technology this year to accelerate digital transformation and delivery of its O+O (online and offline) platform strategy.
Key focus areas include its in-house eLab and TECHLab initiatives, and further building machine learning, artificial intelligence, Big Data and retail technology capabilities.
5. Forever 21’s parent company sues Bolt and ends up becoming a shareholder
A lawsuit that was filed against one-click checkout startup Bolt by one of its biggest customers will be dismissed following the two parties thrashing out a settlement.
And in an added twist to the story, the same customer — Authentic Brands Group (ABG) — is now a shareholder of the company.
According to a press release, “both companies plan to continue the partnership offering seamless, one-click checkout to ABG's brands Forever 21 and Lucky Brand, while evaluating the possibility of expanding Bolt's technology to more portfolio brands in the coming months.”
It’s a far cry from earlier this year when ABG alleged that Bolt failed to deliver technology as promised and that it missed out on over $150 million in online sales during an integration with Forever 21.
ABG also claimed that Bolt had raised funding “at increasingly high valuations” by “consistently overstating” the nature of its integrations with the company’s brands so that it looked like it had more customers than it actually did.
Bolt hit back by stating that the claims were without merit, and “a transparent attempt” to renegotiate the terms of the companies’ agreements.
6. Walmart+ and InHome direct to fridge delivery service combine
Walmart’s InHome Delivery service, which delivers groceries straight to shoppers’ fridges, is now available as an optional add-on within Walmart+.
“When Walmart+ members ask for something, we work around the clock to make it happen for them,” says Chris Cracchiolo, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Walmart+.
“Our members want options and a shopping experience that is easy to navigate and accommodates their individual needs, while saving them time and money—this is true now more than ever.”
Walmart is also launching InHome in several new markets, including Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Dallas, Austin, San Jose and San Francisco, nearly doubling the footprint where the service is available.
