The latest from AiFi, Salesfire, and Yoti: Last week’s most clicked RTIH retail technology articles
These are the RTIH articles that caught your fancy last week, including Amazon, Kroger, Walmart, Yoti, AiFi, Salesfire, Chipotle, and Snapchat.
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.
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 last month 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!
The latest from Amazon, Walmart, and H&M: the biggest retail technology plays at a glance
Featuring Amazon, Carrefour UAE, Walmart, H&M, Morrisons, Uber Eats, and Cartken.
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.
Chipotle teams with Snapchat and focuses on healthy habits for new augmented reality experience
Chipotle Mexican Grill is kicking off 2023 with a new lineup of Lifestyle Bowls as it looks to cater to contemporary wellness habits.
The brand is also launching a wellness inspired AR Lens on Snapchat to encourage people to maintain healthy habits, plus it will reward those who participate with free guac.
“We created seven new Lifestyle Bowls that embrace Gen Z and Millennials’ modern interpretation of wellbeing,” says Chris Brandt, Chief Marketing Officer, Chipotle.
“We’re making new year’s resolutions fun by gamifying the experience and offering balanced meals made with real ingredients that you feel good eating.”
The AR Lens will launch on Friday, 13th January, also known as Quitter’s Day, the day we’re apparently most likely to forfeit new year’s resolutions.
One hundred thousand people in the US who complete the Snapchat challenges will earn a promo code for a free small side or topping of guac.
Chipotle says that the activation marks the first time a restaurant brand will promote physical activity and wellness through an AR Lens on Snapchat.
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.”
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.
Online retail specialist Salesfire appoints David Pinches as Chairman following £3.05m investment
SaaS company Salesfire has announced the appointment of David Pinches as Non Executive Chairman, following a £3.05 million investment in October.
Pinches brings with him experience as a senior executive at technology companies such as Sage, IRIS Software, FinancialForce and Causeway Technologies.
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.
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