Drones, shows, and fast cars: these are RTIH’s biggest retail technology articles 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 AiFi, Yoti, Aldi UK, Metapack's The Delivery Conference 2023, and the 2022 RTIH Innovation Awards.
2022 RTIH Innovation Awards winners and highly commended entries announced
Now into their fourth year, the awards celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
We received a record number of submissions this year across 14 categories (you can find a full rundown of the 2022 shortlists here).
Our winners and highly commended companies were announced during a sold out event that took place in central London during December and was attended by retailers, tech suppliers, members of our judging panel, and sponsors.
So, without further ado, here is the 2022 RTIH Innovation Awards hall of fame.
Congratulations to our latest entrants!
NASCAR and Phoenix Raceway keep the faith with autonomous stores specialist AiFi
AiFi has been selected by Phoenix Raceway to use its autonomous retail technology after a test launch with both AiFi and Amazon Go systems at the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Championship in November.
The former’s store will now be back for the next NASCAR race in the spring.
This is its second race car presence after revealing a frictionless express shop at the Miami Grand Prix in May in partnership with Verizon 5G.
RTIH presents ten innovative retail technology startups to watch out for in 2023
Specialising in the likes of video shopping apps and product visualisation and augmented reality solutions, these startups should be on your radars over the next 12 months.
Yoti digital age verification technology trialled at UK grocery retailers' stores
The UK Home Office reports that trials of digital age verification at supermarket self-checkouts have now ended.
Yoti, whose technology was tested out by the likes of Morrisons, Tesco, Co-op, and Asda, has shared its initial key takeaways from the initiative.
During the trials, shoppers in participating stores could try two new ways to prove their age.
Facial age estimation technology: those purchasing alcohol looked at a camera on the self-checkout and technology estimated their age.
It didn’t require any personal details or ID documents, and all images were instantly deleted once someone received their estimated age. If the system detected they looked younger than the set age threshold, customers were asked to use an alternative method.
Digital ID app: shoppers could use the free Yoti or Post Office EasyID app to scan a QR code on the checkout screen and share a verified age attribute.
Those who did not wish to use digital age verification had the option to ask a staff member to come and approve them and if required show their ID to a colleague instead.
Aldi UK retail technology veteran Sireesh Nallanthighal starts new chapter
Sireesh Nallanthighal has left Aldi UK, where he spent the past 16 years in various roles, most recently serving as Digital Transformation Lead.
He is now Co-founder and CTO at TheCarCrowd, pitched as the UK's first fractional investment platform for classic and prestige cars.
In a LinkedIn post, he said: “I have been blessed to have worked with, worked for, and led the most incredible of people. My colleagues have meant everything to me and made working joyful (most of the time!)”
He added: “I have grown up with this business, joining as a 23 year old straight out of university and have shared significant life moments with my Aldi family - getting engaged, buying my first house, getting married, buying my second house, buying my first car, becoming a father.”
“I have celebrated and I have been supported when mourning. My experiences here have shaped who I have become.”
“The career highlights have been plentiful, the mistakes I have made have helped me learn, with support from those around me.”
“I am indebted to this business and will forever hold it dear to my heart. I am also grateful to the suppliers/partners I have worked with over the years, we have delivered so much.”
“I am proud to be able to say I am Aldi, and humbled by the warmth of the business throughout my career and now as I head off to a new chapter. I leave with my head held high. Thank you.”
That was the retail technology year that was. Micro-fulfilment centres grow in popularity
2022 was the year many companies installed MFCs. including H-E-B which deployed an AutoStore MFC inside its flagship store located in Plano, TX, USA.
2023, meanwhile, will be the year several fulfilment companies breakout of the pack, according to Brittain Ladd, a former supply chain consultant and Amazon executive.
The latest from Amazon, Walmart, and H&M: the biggest retail technology plays at a glance
RTIH rounds up the stand out retail systems deals, deployments and pilots from the past couple of weeks. Featuring Amazon, Carrefour UAE, Walmart, H&M, Morrisons, Uber Eats, and Cartken.
In defence of Amazon and its physical stores strategy as Kroger and Walmart make big moves
RTIH recently published a 2022 recap article in which we discussed Amazon putting the brakes on the expansion of its UK checkout-free convenience stores.
The e-commerce giant, we argued, faces a make or break year in terms of its Amazon Fresh locations.
In doing so, we joined a growing chorus of critics of Amazon’s excursions in to the physical retail space.
Check out the case for the defence here.
Influencers, awards, and hoverboards: RTIH’s most read retail technology articles in 2022
Check out the top ten RTIH retail systems articles that caught your fancy during 2022, including Aldi UK, AiFi, Thought, Shopify, Clekt, Currys, Bolt, Amazon, and Nike.
Metapack's The Delivery Conference 2023 shines spotlight on e-commerce challenges and opportunities
The Delivery Conference 2023 will take place on 7th February at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.
This event, dedicated to the e-commerce and delivery sectors, is set to shine a spotlight on some of the extraordinary challenges that we will see in the coming year.
From reduced consumer spending and higher operating costs through to the continued unpredictability of the supply chain, important issues will be on the TDC 2023 agenda, allowing delegates to survive and thrive in the year ahead.
This year’s gathering will see speakers and panellists from organisations such as John Lewis, Shopify, Amazon Shipping, FedEx, HelloFresh, what3words, and Asda.
Powered by Metapack, TDC attracts over 1,000 industry leaders, more than 700 brands, a broad roster of around 30 speakers and multiple sessions for delegates to enjoy.
Check out our LinkedIn page here.
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