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 DoorDash, RELEX Solutions, Shopify, PrettyLittleThing, and Just Eat.
1. DoorDash taps RELEX Solutions supply chain optimisation tech
RELEX Solutions and DoorDash have announced a partnership to implement the former’s AI driven supply chain planning solution to service the latter’s DashMart locations.
RELEX uses machine learning to create accurate forecasts that will optimise product availability at DashMart locations.
2. Erin Pelton swaps White House for online retail with Shopify move
Erin Pelton has joined e-commerce big hitter Shopify to oversee communications and public affairs.
She joins from the Biden-Harris Administration where she served as Special Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, Domestic Policy Council at The White House.
“I’m thrilled to join a company that is such a powerful engine of innovation, removing barriers for millions of businesses around the world,” Pelton said in a Twitter post.
3. BrewDog: ‘Clueless’ Tories must act now as pubs, restaurants face cost of living crisis
The next UK Prime Minister needs to urgently address the cost of living and energy crises and their impact upon pubs, bars, restaurants, says James Watt, BrewDog CEO and Co-Founder.
The beer big hitter recently celebrated the opening of its biggest ever bar, in Waterloo, London.
At the same time, however, it is closing six pubs due to soaring energy costs.
In a LinkedIn post, Watt said: “Waterloo was amazing, but reality is biting – Liz Truss/Rishi Sunak (both of whom are currently battling it out to be the next PM) please stop the charade.”
4. Meta launches grocery shopping on WhatsApp with JioMart
Meta and an e-commerce venture between India’s Reliance Retail and Jio Platforms are bringing grocery shopping to WhatsApp.
This is pitched as the first end to end shopping experience on the platform, allowing people in India to browse the JioMart catalogue, add products to their cart and pay to complete purchases, all within WhatsApp.
5. PrettyLittleThing Marketplace resale app goes live
Fast fashion firm PrettyLittleThing has announced the launch of PrettyLittleThing Marketplace, an app which allows people to sell on clothes they no longer wear, or shop for something new to them.
According to a press release: “PLT listened to our customers, and they are mindful of the life of a garment and want to be able to resell items that they no longer wear.”
“And so we are creating PrettyLittleThing Marketplace as a community platform for our customers new and old to join.”
It adds: “We have taken steps to simplify the resale process, encouraging more people to join the ‘PLTLoved’ movement and give items they no longer want in their wardrobe a new lease of life.”
Phase one of the platform will include functions such as PLT existing account sync, PLT and non PLT listings, wishlists, message centre, image recognition and text filtering, verified users and PayPal integration.
6. Just Eat teams with Booker Wholesale to offer rapid delivery to convenience stores
Just Eat and Booker Wholesale have partnered to offer delivery to thousands of Symbol group convenience stores in the UK.
Operators of Londis, Premier, Budgens and Family Shopper will be able to offer customers a range of fresh food, everyday essentials, drinks and tobacco delivered to the door, within 25 minutes.
