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 QuikTrip, Amazon, AiFi, Cainz Corporation, Walmart+, Pinterest, and Waitrose.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Paramount+ set to be bundled with Walmart+ offering
Walmart+ will soon be available for members with a Paramount+ Essential subscription at no extra cost.
This starts in September.
Walmart+ costs $98 a year or $12.95 a month.
In the US, Paramount+ Essential clocks in at $4.99/month.
The move by Walmart is intended to make its service, which launched in September 2020, more competitive with Amazon Prime.
4. Amazon Fresh makes key appointments in physical stores push
Peters joins from Woolworths Supermarkets where she served as Managing Director.
Her CV also includes a stint as Chief Operating Officer at Tesco Stores.
Bowrey, meanwhile, worked for Tesco for over 30 years across various functions and internationally.
Most recently, he was Retail Director at Boots.
In a LinkedIn post, Tony Hoggett, SVP Worldwide Physical Stores & Speciality Fulfilment, Amazon, said: “I’m excited to announce Claire and Peter are joining our growing Amazon Physical Stores leadership team.”
“Both Claire and Pete will join Amazon in early 2023, bringing decades of grocery, international and multi-channel retail experience.”
He added: “I’m inspired by the Amazon Physical Stores and Speciality Fulfilment leadership team we have in place, and we’re all looking forward to growing the business together with our two new members.”
5. Waitrose creates first Pinterest Pin Extension for Summer Food Festival campaign
Pinterest has launched Waitrose’s latest campaign on its platform, showcasing its “colourful variety in food choices for this year’s summer dishes”.
Raising awareness of its “high quality products and everyday food range”, the retailer is looking to inspire Pinners to prepare tasty meals, utilising Pinterest’s immersive ad format, the Pin Extension, for the first time.
Waitrose’s campaign features an interactive look book allowing Pinners to select from one of four different summer food options including dishes from around the world ‘World Eating’, dishes ‘Made for Sharing’, ‘Perfect Picnics’ and ‘Brilliant BBQs’.
They will then be shown a selection of dishes and recipes, including tips and tricks on how to perfect each one, with a shopping list specifically for that recipe that the user can have to hand ahead of their next grocery shop.
6. American Eagle announces initiatives across TikTok, Roblox and Meta Quest 2
American Eagle Outfitters has announced its American Eagle (AE) brand’s initiatives across Meta Quest 2 and a campaign with TikTok’s SoundOn platform.
AE recently launched its fall 2022 Back To School (BTS) campaign featuring Gen Z musicians Blu DeTiger, spill tab, duo Tabakian x Tanisako.
It is delivering music experiences in the metaverse, in-store activations, and a hashtag challenge on TikTok featuring a custom song written by a Gen-Z creator.
“This season, we are excited to offer our community multiple ways to express their personal style through a series of activations meant to inspire customers to pair the jeans they love with the music they love,” says Jennifer Foyle, President - Chief Creative Officer, AE and Aerie.
“As a leader in innovation, American Eagle is the first to partner with TikTok’s SoundOn platform to continue to collaborate with emerging creators and artists, and provide them with a space where they can share their passion for music with the world.”
