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 AiFi, Cainz Corporation, Amazon, QuikTrip, and Pricer.
QuikTrip taps Amazon Just Walk Out tech for checkout-free store first
US convenience retailer, QuikTrip, has opened a store in Tulsa powered by Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology. This is its first venture into the checkout-free space.
Those visiting the new location (in the BOK Tower at One Williams Center) will be able to insert their credit card at the entry gate to enter, shop like normal, and then leave.
Just Walk Out technology determines what items shoppers take from or return to the shelves, and when they leave, the credit card they inserted will be charged for the items they took.
AiFi launches first autonomous store in Japan with Cainz Corporation
Japan’s Cainz Corporation, a home improvement chain with 230 stores, has announced a new autonomous location, called Cainz Mobile Store, on the first floor of its HQ in Honjo City, Saitama.
The computer vision technology implemented into the store, powered by US-based AiFi, will allow customers to shop for Cainz brand household products and snack items without having to go through a cash register or self-checkout.
This will open in the near future and may expand to other locations in the future.
Wimbledon Shop selects PFS for UK fulfilment operations
PFS has been selected by The All England Lawn Tennis Club to operate its global order fulfilment operations for the online Wimbledon Shop.
It is doing so via a distribution centre in Southampton, United Kingdom.
The All England Lawn Tennis Club stages The Championships, Wimbledon, the oldest of the four Grand Slam tournaments.
First held in 1877, the event draws more than 500,000 fans to the grounds with millions more watching on television every year.
A result of that popularity is growing demand worldwide for official merchandise.
Products on offer include Championships towels, tennis equipment from Babolat and Slazenger, and a capsule collection from Official Outfitter Ralph Lauren.
Pricer research examines pressures on stores to drive digitisation
The squeeze on stores, which is putting pressure on bricks and mortar estates to perform more digital roles and support e-commerce operations, is accelerating UK retailers’ investment in digitalising their physical locations, with autonomous, replenishment and contact free capabilities becoming prioritised on tech roadmaps, according to research from Pricer.
Top 10: last week’s most essential retail technology articles
These are the RTIH articles that caught your fancy last week, including Pricer, AiFi, Amazon, Getir, Zapp, Co-op, and Rent the Runway.
Global IT Director Chris Norman departs Dyson for new opportunity
Chris Norman has left Dyson where he served as Global IT Director - Digital Business Technology.
In a LinkedIn post, dated 15th August, he said: “After nearly 12 years I have decided to take some time out search for my next role outside of Dyson and today is my first day of garden leave.”
He added: “It’s been quite a journey since joining in 2010 and I have had the privilege of building and leading an amazing team.”
Shopic bags $35m investment to bring smart carts to US grocery chains
Smart grocery shopping cart startup, Shopic, has announced a $35 million Series B investment round led by Qualcomm Ventures, bringing its total funding raised to $56 million.
Other participating investors include Vintage Investment Partners and Clal Insurance, together with Shopic’s existing backers IBI Tech Fund, Tal Ventures and Shufersal.
Sneaker platform The Edit LDN enters the metaverse with Bloktopia
The Edit LDN, a marketplace for sneakers, is venturing into the metaverse by creating a store in partnership with Bloktopia.
Dafydd Moore takes on Group Director IT Strategy and Architecture role at Halfords
Halfords has appointed Dafydd Moore as Group Director IT Strategy and Architecture.
He joins from Dyson where he held the role of Global Head of IT Strategy Architecture and Innovation.
In a LinkedIn post, Moore said: “After five truly fantastic years at Dyson, I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Group Director IT Strategy and Architecture at Halfords.”
“I am very grateful to all the people I have worked with at Dyson that have helped me develop to the point where I am ready to take on this new and exciting role.”
Five retail technology funding rounds you need to know about
RTIH rounds up the retail tech ventures whose funding rounds have been making headlines, including Shopic, KatKin, CleverTap, and Ottonomy.IO.
