Run it back: RTIH pulls together the retail technology news you might have missed last week
Failed to keep up with the breaking retail technology news last week? Then have no fear as RTIH has you covered. Here are the major stories that you need to know about. Includes In The Style, SHOPLINE, Amazon UK, Leon’s Furniture, SES-imagotag, Walmart GoLocal, American Express, and Booker Group.
Paradies Lagardère taps hologram tech for virtual associate at Charlotte Douglas International Airport store
Paradies Lagardère has deployed ARHT’s Capsule Hologram technology at The Goods Express@CLT store, situated in Charlotte Douglas International Airport, to provide shoppers with a virtual interactive associate.
The store also features Amazon's Just Walk Out technology.
In a LInkedIn post, Paradies Lagardère said: “Get ready for an interactive shopping experience like never before, where holographic displays meet seamless shopping. Introducing ARHT’s cutting-edge Capsule Hologram technology at The Goods Express@CLT store, featuring Amazon's Just Walk Out technology.”
“We are thrilled to be partnering with ARHT, Amazon, and CLT to take travel retail to a whole new dimension. Make sure to check it out post-security in the Main Terminal.”
Shopify research: many shoppers planning to splash out during Black Friday Cyber Monday 2023
Shoppers around the world expect to maintain or increase both their online and bricks and mortar spending this Black Friday Cyber Monday (BFCM) weekend. However, they are looking for particular deals and are planning to use AI to discover new brands as well as products – and are willing to switch brands to get them.
This is according to a Shopify survey of more than 2,000 consumers and 1,000 SMBs in the UK, which is part of a research study surveying 12,000 consumers and almost 5,000 businesses in six countries.
Deann Evans, Managing Director, EMEA at Shopify, comments: “Despite many studies predicting a challenging period for retailers as consumers look to tighten their purse strings, our data indicates that this could be a key revenue moment for those that embrace BFCM.”
“In fact, shoppers have recently cut back so they are ready to spend during BFCM to get more for their money. Brands need to embrace this opportunity by offering competitive deals and higher quality products as if they don’t, consumers may move away to another.”
Snappy Group enters Irish market as it inks deal to develop and power Centra Go home delivery app
Snappy Group, the technology business behind grocery and convenience store delivery app, Snappy Shopper, has announced a new partnership with Irish convenience grocery retailer, Centra.
Centra is part of Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland, the retail franchise division of Musgrave Group, one of Ireland's largest grocery and food distributors.
The tie up will see Snappy Group develop and power the new, home delivery app, Centra Go, which, alongside traditional grocery, will enable hot food to go.
In The Style partners with SHOPLINE as fast fashion retailer's new online store goes live
Asian e-commerce Software-as-a-Service and solution provider, SHOPLINE, has been appointed to launch In The Style's new online store.
It worked with eBusiness Guru and Patchworks on the project.
Jas Singh, CEO at Baaj Capital, which acquired In The Style earlier this year for £1.2 million, says: “We are thrilled to announce the appointment of SHOPLINE for our modern commerce strategy.”
“Their integrated approach and profound expertise in the retail industry, coupled with a straightforward problem solving approach, will propel us into the next phase of our growth strategy.”
He adds: “During their time with the In The Style team, they demonstrated a real commitment to a customer centric approach working closely with the team to deliver excellent and timely results, they will extend their support across our entire portfolio, enabling us to harness the potential of all our brands and transform into a significant marketplace.”
A labour of love: Amazon UK launches ‘Food too, who knew?’ ad campaign for byAmazon grocery range
Amazon UK has launched the first ad campaign for its own brand grocery range, byAmazon.
This introduces the new tag line, ‘Food too, who knew?’ and uses food to playfully imitate the Amazon smile as well as featuring its well known star ratings.
The company is launching with a media take-over of Angel tube station in London – a short walk from one of its Just Walk Out technology powered Amazon Fresh stores.
In a LinkedIn post, Laura Harris Senior Brand Manager at Amazon Fresh Private Brands, said: “My first campaign at Amazon and my first campaign client side has been a labour of love! Thank you to our partners Red Brick Road and RUFUS media.”
Google Cloud and Unilever partner to digitally connect factory-based colleagues with new My Unilever app
Google Cloud and Unilever have partnered to launch a new app for employees, My Unilever.
The aim here is to connect Unilever’s factory-based colleagues across the globe, enabling them to tap into Unilever’s digital resources from any location or device.
Built on Google Cloud, and delivered in partnership with Accenture, the app also enables one click entry to Google Workspace, which includes the communication and collaboration apps such as Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Drive, Chat, and Meet.
It also utilises Appsheet, Google’s no-code platform, as the main end-user interface for the My Unilever application.
The app will also give users access to a variety of third-party tools including learning and payroll, some of which were previously only accessible through paper-based methods or via time-consuming in-factory processes.
Southern Co-op and Scotmid tap SymphonyAI assortment and space planning solutions across food businesses
Southern Co-op and Scottish Midland Co-operative (Scotmid) have selected SymphonyAI Retail CPG assortment and space planning solutions for implementation across the food business in the companies’ nearly 500 managed and franchise convenience stores in various regions of the UK.
The two businesses, which are both members of Federal Retail Trade and Services (FRTS), a central co-op food buying group, are looking to tailor the assortments, shelves, and floor spaces at both the store and category levels for data driven alignment with the evolving needs of each store’s local customers.
CADS StoreSpace solution helps US supermarket chain Rouses improve productivity and increase sales
Retail space planning specialist CADS has helped US grocery retailer Rouses Market improve its efficiency, communication and profitability with StoreSpace software.
Before adopting StoreSpace, family owned Rouses used Excel spreadsheets and email threads for macro space planning, planogram management and inventory tracking.
It is now benefitting from a more streamlined space planning process with access to vital performance insights, an intuitive planning environment and more.
Cimcorp automation tie up helps Mercadona get fresh produce from field to store within 24 hours
Mercadona, a grocery retailer in Spain and Portugal, has partnered with Cimcorp to implement an automated intralogistics system at its distribution centre in San Isidro, Spain.
Cimcorp’s robots have helped it to achieve record lead times in its supply chain, thereby increasing shelf life for its products and ensuring freshness for its customers.
As well as enabling the delivery of fresh produce from field to store within 24 hours, the warehouse automation secures Mercadona the benefits of less waste and a safer workplace.
With robots taking care of the heavy lifting and repetitive tasks, staff enjoy work roles that are less tiring and more productive, factors that typically aid retention rates. Automation also ensures order accuracy, reduced costs and maximum throughput.
Nisa expands AR powered Jisp Scan & Save loyalty programme roll-out following successful trial
Nisa is set to extend the roll-out of the Jisp Scan & Save loyalty service to all Nisa retailers.
This utilises AR voucher technology to bring discounts on branded products, with the aim of driving increased loyalty and sales for retailers and helping brands gain incremental sales and volume.
Retailers receive weekly payments based on in-store redemptions, as well as 6p back on every Scan & Save product purchased.
Following a trial, where over 200 Nisa retailers signed up to the scheme, an average of 3,500 voucher redemptions per store were recorded over a 12-month period, increasing in-store sales on average by more than 20%.
Ayaz Alam, Commerical Director at Nisa, says: “It’s been really positive to see how the trial has performed and to see our retailers benefitting from a compelling value and loyalty proposition.”
“At a time when value has never been more important to shoppers, we’re delighted to be able to scale our relationship with Jisp and to work together to enhance our offer for suppliers and retailers.”
AI company MeetKai partners with Charlotte Hornets to launch the NBA’s first ever virtual fan store
MeetKai and the Charlotte Hornets have announced the launch of the Hornets Virtual Fan Shop, pitched as the first virtual team store in the NBA.
Using MeetKai’s AI powered digital twin technology, this is inspired by the bricks and mortar Hornets Fan Shop at Spectrum Center located in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Accessible through a user’s mobile device or web browser, fans can enter the virtual store to view and purchase a variety of Hornets merchandise, including jerseys, T-shirts, hats and other collectibles.
Purchases will be delivered to users’ homes by the latter’s e-commerce partner, Fanatics.
“We are honoured to power the NBA’s first immersive shopping experience, allowing fans to engage with their favourite team and shop for gear in a space designed to make them feel like they’re there in person on game day," says James Kaplan, Co-Founder and CEO of MeetKai.
"We are proud to partner with the Charlotte Hornets to provide their fans with interactive experiences that connect them closer to their team."
Walmart GoLocal delivery service platform hires Rina Hurst, former Chief Business Officer at Shipt, as Vice President
Walmart has announced Rina Hurst as Vice President at Walmart GoLocal, its delivery service platform.
Hurst joins from Shipt, where she served as Chief Business Officer. She will be responsible for the strategic direction, operations and general management of Walmart GoLocal.
Canada’s largest home retailer Leon’s Furniture expands roll-out of VUSION with SES-imagotag
SES-imagotag is expanding its partnership with Canadian retailer Leon’s Furniture (LFL Group).
The roll-out agreement between the two companies will see the addition of 130 stores to existing locations, while also expanding to new store categories as SES-imagotag further extends its footprint in new verticals and in North America.
LFL Group selected the VUSION IoT Cloud platform and digital tags to digitise its Leon’s and The Brick division stores under a multi-year framework agreement spanning, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
This agreement covers the deployment of VUSION across all of its 202 corporate stores, and potentially over 100 other additional LFL Group franchisees.
The retailer has been gradually equipping its appliances, consumer electronics, and bedding sections with VUSION cloud connected ESLs and solutions, and is now extending the use of these tools to the largest portion of its stores - the furniture sections - with extensive use of large format digital labels.
LiSA teams with Coresight Research, Sook and LVS on The Commerce Social Club event series
Social and live commerce specialist, LiSA, together with its partners Coresight Research, Sook and LVS, has launched an event series The Commerce Social Club, with the first one taking place last week in central London.
By bringing together retailers like Marks & Spencer, technology innovators, agency partners and e-commerce thought leaders, the aim is to facilitate exchange and learning in a hands-on (and fun) way. The event was also streamed online.
Sophie Frères, CEO at LiSA, says: “We find that many e-commerce marketing leaders are shifting budgets from classic digital marketing and content production toward experience initiatives which really drive instant sales and keep customers coming back for more.”
“Running their own social commerce activities is the perfect way to achieve that, but many brands are not even aware of the easy options available to do so. This event aims at helping them see how easy it is to get started and see results from day one.”
American Express and Booker Group team on card acceptance across Premier, Londis, Budgens, Family Shopper stores
American Express has stepped up its partnership with Booker Group, meaning thousands more independent retailers across the UK will be able to accept its in-store card payments under a new agreement.
The tie up covers eligible Premier, Londis, Budgens and Family Shopper retailers.
American Express will work with Booker Group to supply a range of marketing and point of purchase materials to its store owners, along with details of how they can start accepting American Express cards.
Managing Director, Booker Group – Retail, Colm Johnson, says: “We are delighted that our Symbol brand retailers can benefit from a new agreement.”
“This deal will drive footfall to stores and help with overall profitability. Being able to pay with Amex gives shoppers another reason to choose our Symbol stores and this has been warmly received by our retailers.”
New GMB analysis: more than 420,000 UK bricks and mortar retail jobs lost since 2010
New GMB analysis shows that 420,242 bricks and mortar UK retail jobs have gone - a decline of 28.4% - since the Conservatives took power in 2010.
The figures emerge as the last Wilko stores close their doors for the final time, costing 12,500 workers their jobs after the chain collapsed.
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