Five retail technology questions for Playrcart’s Glen Dormieux
RTIH asks major players in the retail technology space for their thoughts on the sector, and throws in a random question to keep them on their toes. This time around, our five questions go to Playrcart Founder Glen Dormieux.
RTIH: Looking at the hottest retail technologies right now, check-out free stores, rapid delivery services, the metaverse and NFTs, automation and robotics, blockchain and cryptocurrencies, which ones stand out to you, and for what reason?
GD: Rapid delivery services stand out to me. It’s no surprise that the digital native younger generation is leading the way in dictating how brands should behave online.
The Gen Z cohort now accounts for almost 20% of the UK population and they're challenging brands to do things quicker - expecting same day delivery and demanding more sustainable packaging and shipping methods.
With more people each year since 2020 working at home, there are fewer spontaneous ‘real life’ lunch-break shopping experiences, so there’s a need for ever-more rapid fulfilment of everything from fashion to groceries.
Playrcart’s technology is all about enabling a fast and seamless check-out process at the moment of intent - and anyone who experiences quick and easy online shopping expects speedy delivery too.
RTIH: Which retail technology trend is overrated in your opinion?
GD: Although I’m generally behind it, I’m not sure the world is ready for the metaverse just yet, so for the time being it’s a little hyped.
We are still finding new ways to seamlessly connect the many existing brand touchpoints that exist for consumers. I do think in five years or so time it will be a popular and widely used communication channel and a natural way to shop.
Nike says seven million people have visited Nikeland since announcing its partnership with the online gaming platform Roblox last November, and Carrefour more recently launched its first recruitment operation in the metaverse.
It’s super interesting to see how the early adopters are utilising this space in different ways. It does play to how people like to buy products socially and experiential
In a way I see it as a logical move forward from livestream shopping - where we are already having a lot of success integrating Playrcart.
RTIH: What are the top five retail tech Twitter/LinkedIn accounts you can’t do without, and why?
In addition to Retail Tech Innovation Hub of course…
Amazon - from check-out free shopping to drone delivery, I always keep an eye on what they’ll be doing next.
Chris Walton, CEO at Omni Talk - having started with a retail blog, he has a cool podcast with Anne Mezzenga where they dive into the top retail news headlines of the week.
I watched him share perspectives on emerging digital technologies at Shoptalk Europe earlier this year and really enjoyed it.
Helen Dickinson, CEO at British Retail Consortium (BRC) - a retail expert with more than 25 years of experience in the industry.
Simon Andrews/Addictive! of Friday Fix - really insightful bite-sized (and longer) commentary on latest trends in AdTech, social, Web3, retail, AR/VR, privacy and more.
Neil Saunders, Managing Director at GlobalData Retail, Founder of Conlumino - he covers retail, shopping, and consumers.
RTIH: If you could have a dinner party with any five retail pioneers, dead or alive, who would they be and why?
Probably no surprises here but…
Harry Selfridge, Founder of Selfridges.
He understood about retail needing to be an entire experience - and also understood the benefits of good PR and advertising; he used to do stunts on the roof. Way ahead of his time.
Jeff Bezos, Amazon.
A modern pioneer - from same-day delivery, check-out free stores to drones and everything in between - delivering his emphasis of total customer service.
Steve Jobs, Apple.
Colossal impact.
He saw that as a brand you needed to start with the customer experience first and work backwards towards the technology be it hardware or software all while making his products incredibly desirable.
Dame Anita Roddick, The Body Shop.
The first to really pioneer natural ingredients, fair trade and sustainability as core to the brand. A huge advocate for social change and responsibility. She paved the way for many others to follow.
Reid Hastings, Netflix
He totally revolutionised the way we consume entertainment, such as TV and film content at home. Brought streaming to the masses and moving into original content. He completely reinvented the space.
RTIH: Would you rather have a coffee with Mark Zuckerberg or Jack Dorsey?
GD: Jack Dorsey.
He's a college drop out with a very interesting past from dabbling in fashion to co-founding Twitter and Square to being a member of the board of directors at Disney.
