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 Amazon Prime, The Very Group, Gopuff, Levy UK+I, and AiFi.
1. Starbucks preps Web3-based rewards programme announcement
Starbucks will unveil a Web3 initiative at next month’s Investor Day event.
This was first flagged up in early 2022.
During its fiscal Q2 2022 earnings call, the coffee giant said that NFTs can help Starbucks extend its concept of the “third place”, that is, a place between home and work where people can feel a sense of belonging over coffee.
The.company has brought in Adam Brotman, the architect of its Mobile Order & Pay system and the Starbucks app, to help serve as a special advisor on the project.
And Founder and current interim CEO Howard Schultz, who returned to the fray in April, has now teased an announcement during this week’s earnings call with investors.
2. Amazon Prime expands same-day delivery to select retail stores across US
Amazon is adding a small number of bricks and mortar retail brands to its same-day delivery offering for Prime members.
This is kicking off with apparel firms PacSun, Diesel and Superdry, as well as vitamin retailer GNC, in 10 cities across the US.
The service is free for Prime members when they spend $25 or more, or $2.99 if they spend less than $25.
Some of the participating retailers also give shoppers the option to order items online and pick them up at the store.
Additional retailers signing up in upcoming months include Sur La Table and 100% Pure.
3. The Very Group continues retail tech transformation push with Akeneo tie up
The Very Group, which operates digital retailer Very, has announced a new partnership with product experience management (PXM) vendor Akeneo.
This is part of a tech transformation project, the aim of which is to optimise the customer experience and modernise its tech stack.
Using Akeneo’s PXM platform, Very will provide customers with the likes of digital media, technical specifications and enhanced product details.
Customers will be helped in their buying decisions by tailored and category specific product information, for example highlighting different features for beauty products than for electrical goods.
The platform will allow new products to be added to site in less than a minute.
The move follows partnerships with commercetools, True Fit and Amplience.
4. Levy UK+I teams with AiFi on Tap + Go launch at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium
Levy UK + Ireland, the sports and hospitality sector of Compass Group UK and Ireland, has launched Tap + Go for stadia, with Leicester City’s King Power Stadium the first to tap the technology.
Levy UK+ Ireland partnered with autonomous retail firm AiFi for this project.
Match day fans will be able to make food and drink purchases, without having to pay at a till.
They need to tap a payment card upon entry, pick up their items and walk out of the gates onto the concourse, where their card will be automatically charged.
Tap + Go, is operated via AiFi’s AI powered anonymised shopper tracking which recognises the products being selected by customers, before adding them to a virtual basket.
Checkouts will be replaced by the installation of contactless payment terminals connected to digital barriers upon exit.
5. Gopuff boss Rafael Ilishayev addresses rapid delivery critics
Gopuff Co-founder and Co-CEO Rafael Ilishayev has taken to LinkedIn to defend his company’s business model.
Rapid delivery firms flourished during the Covid-19 outbreak as restrictions and lockdowns forced many physical locations to close.
But since then, growth has dried up, and businesses in the space have begun to cut jobs and pull back from new markets.
A recent article by The Information claimed that Gopuff had shelved business initiatives, lost top executives, and lots of cash.
In a LinkedIn post, Ilishayev said: “Since Yakir Gola and I started Gopuff nearly nine years ago, we’ve come across scepticism on the space and business model - and I understand why. So here is my point of view on the industry and why we believe in it as much today as we did nine years ago.”
He continued: “Often, we have investors, analysts and the media asking us: why do people need ice cream in 15 minutes? Truth is - they don’t. Nobody needs ice cream in 15 minutes. Our business is far beyond that - it’s about serving the changing trend in commerce.”
6. Oxford City Football Club teams with CoinCorner for Bitcoin payments first
Oxford City FC has become the first English National League club to accept match day payments in Bitcoin after entering a multi-year partnership with CoinCorner.
Supporters will be able to purchase tickets, food and drink inside the RAW Charging Stadium with Bitcoin and Lightning, as an alternative to traditional cash and card methods.
The move means payments can also be made using CoinCorner's Bolt Card - pitched as the world's first contactless Bitcoin Lightning card.
To mark the tie up, CoinCorner have produced a limited edition run of Oxford City FC branded Bolt Cards which are available to buy in the club shop.
