NRF 2023, new CEOs and cash automation solutions: our biggest retail technology stories on LinkedIn
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 SeeChange, Diebold Nixdorf, Żabka Group, AiFi, Microsoft, Linnworks, Aldi, and Trigo.
SeeChange and Diebold Nixdorf team up for AI powered self-checkout technology push
SeeChange Technologies has announced a five-year partnership with Diebold Nixdorf which kicks off with the launch of the first in a series of AI powered self-checkout solutions.
UK-based SeeChange was founded in 2018 as a subsidiary of Arm, becoming independent in 2021 with seed funding investment from London-based Crane Venture Partners.
Diebold Nixdorf’s Vynamic Smart Vision uses the firm’s machine learning to recognise fruits, vegetables, baked goods and items without a barcode.
Retail technology gone wrong? Jelle Prins slams 'arrogant, simplistic' Aldi Utrecht till-free store
Last year, Aldi Nord opened a Trigo powered Aldi Shop & Go store in the Dutch city of Utrecht.
This is a 3,982 square feet location where shoppers can walk in, select their items, and walk out without having to queue at the checkout lane or scan any items.
In its largest store format to date, Trigo applies its algorithms to shelf sensors and ceiling mounted cameras which analyse anonymised shoppers' movements and product choices.
Payments and receipts are settled digitally.
The store featured in one of our weekly coolest retail technology plays round ups.
And Jan Oostvogels, CEO at Aldi Holding in the Netherlands, said in a press release: "We are very proud to be able to test this innovation project in Utrecht together with our customers.”
“It fits our strategy as a discounter to make shopping as easy as possible for our customers. After all, our experience shows that our customers appreciate quick and easy processes at the checkouts. Our test shop in Utrecht fits this perfectly."
But not everybody is a fan.
Jelle Prins, who has designed apps for the likes of Uber and Booking.com, popped along to see what all the fuss was about and ended up venting spleen on Twitter.
Żabka Group showcases AiFi and Microsoft powered Żabka Nano autonomous store at NRF 2023
Żabka Group this week joined Microsoft at NRF 2023 in New York.
Żabka Nano, an autonomous store concept that has been developed under the umbrella of Żabka Future for over a year and a half, was featured at the Microsoft booth (#4503).
“Participation in this prestigious event is not only an opportunity for us to establish new partnerships but also an opportunity to present Żabka as one of the world’s most innovative companies in the retail industry.,” says Tomasz Blicharski, EVP, Managing Director of Żabka Future.
“Warsaw, thanks to our concept, has become the world capital of autonomous stores, so I am glad that we have the opportunity to present this project to a global audience.”
“We want to show how our new technologies, created in cooperation with our partners, make life easier and free up our customers' time.”
Ottonomy.IO debuts Ottobot Yeti for unattended first and last mile deliveries and locker integration
Ottonomy.IO this week exhibited the Ottobot Yeti, pitched as the first autonomous delivery robot capable of unattended deliveries, at NRF 2023 in New York.
This includes an automated sliding delivery hatch that opens to deliver items without the need for human assistance.
Linnworks CEO Callum Campbell stands down at e-commerce specialist, replaced by Chris Timmer
E-commerce inventory and order management software firm, Linnworks, has a new CEO.
Callum Campbell has vacated the role, after more than five years in the top job, and handed over to Chris Timmer.
Verint boosts customer engagement platform with Qudini retail technology acquisition
Verint has announced the expansion of its customer engagement platform with technology acquired from Qudini, a provider of appointment scheduling solutions.
Qudini is privately held and is based in the UK with approximately 20 employees.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Majority of consumers say retail technology will improve overall shopping experience
90% of consumers believe technology will significantly improve the overall shopping experience, according to research released by Shekel Scales at NRF 2023.
While nearly 60% of the 573 respondents cited technology that speeds and simplifies the self-checkout process, more than 30% expressed a desire for offerings that help them get in and out of the store as fast and as easily as possible.
E-commerce performance heat maps: download the free Grips report today
With Christmas behind us Grips Intelligence has released its first complete view of consumer e-commerce activity in key retail categories week-by-week through the end of 2022.
Download the free report today to learn: The impact of early seasonal promotions week-by-week; Which categories were affected most by the return to in-person shopping; The latest spending trends to inform your 2023 e-commerce strategy.
Same day delivery specialist Chypp adds Clare Warden to its advisory board
Chypp, a full service e-commerce and same day delivery solution for retailers and shopping malls, has appointed Clare Warden to its advisory board.
In a LinkedIn post, the company says: “Clare brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team, with a career that includes roles at PICKUP, Kroger, and GameStop.”
Warden’s most recent role was as the VP of Product at PICKUP, a same-day delivery startup in the big and bulky space.
RBR notes and coins research: Retailers’ demand for cash automation solutions surges
The number of cash automation devices installed at retailers increased by more than 20% between end of 2019 and 2022 to reach more than 900,000, according to RBR.
This was despite cash usage coming under even more pressure than before from the increased use of electronic payments across the world owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.
While cash use remains strong in many countries across Asia, Africa and the Americas, even in markets where it is falling or stagnant, retailers continue to look for ways to make the processing of notes and coins more efficient.
Deposco hooks skincare brand Dermalogica as it rolls out operations across Europe
Deposco has signed skincare company, Dermalogica, a Unilever brand, as a new customer.
The news closely follows the announcement that Deposco is launching its operations across Europe.
Dermalogica chose to implement the firm’s Bright Suite solution because of its ability to support direct-to-consumer (DTC) order fulfilment.
The search for a new approach to logistics and fulfilment was driven by the need to unify multiple acquired brands into a single, efficient DTC operation and further support the relationships Dermalogica already has with its professional and end-consumer customers.
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