Including Asda, Nobody’s Child, and Kingfisher: RTIH’s biggest retail technology news stories from September
It’s October, September is done and dusted, so let’s kick back and reflect on a hugely eventful few weeks for the retail systems space. Here's your briefing on the most important stories from last month, including Walmart, POCLab, Amazon, Avery Dennison, and the 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards.
1. Walmart works with POCLab on The Cultureverse, a metaverse celebration of 50th anniversary of hip hop
A new immersive, gamified virtual experience, The Cultureverse, has launched, celebrating the last 50 years of hip hop music and the genre's impact on culture.
The result of a collaboration between Walmart and Web3 creative studio POCLab, this is now available on Spatial.
In a LinkedIn post, Justin Breton, Director of Brand Experiences & Strategic Partnerships at Walmart, said: “The Cultureverse, which authentically aligns with our mission to supercharge the potential of black creators physically, digitally, and now virtually, aims to amplify the narratives of those that are unrepresented within the metaverse and Web3 and proudly features the unique voices and stories of more than 25 black and brown creators from music, fashion, art, and more.”
He added: “More specifically, Walmart commissioned four artists to create works of art that draw inspiration from the question: “What does Black & Unlimited mean to you?” This initiative provided them with a canvas to express their creative individualism through a new medium. You can experience and read about these larger than avatar works of art in the Black & Unlimited Gallery.”
Walmart is also powering the Main Stage, with the aim of elevating the voices and perspectives of individuals who have influenced culture and are driving the continued evolution of hip hop through consistent programming of virtual panels, fireside chats etc.
A shoppable Rock The Bells exhibit, virtual fashion popup, interactive Jet Magazine archive are also available to explore.
2. Grocery giant Asda makes senior retail technology appointments as it moves away from Walmart days
Asda has announced the appointments of Rob Barnes and Adrian Berry to its technology team to oversee the oversee the development of its new strategy and separation from Walmart.
Barnes is currently Chief Technology Officer at Marks and Spencer and will join Asda early next year as Delivery Director.
He will be responsible for the design, build and delivery of all colleague and customer facing technology and will also act as Deputy Chief Information Officer.
Prior to joining M&S, he was MD of Accenture’s Retail Tech Advisory business, where he managed technology delivery for a range of clients including Dyson, Clarks, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Best Buy.
Berry also joins in the new year as Chief Technology Officer and will have responsibility for all core technology teams including service delivery, infrastructure, application engineering, platform teams and enterprise technology services.
He most recently served as CIO at Aston Barclay Vehicle Remarketing, and prior to that as UK CIO and Group CTO at Lowell Credit Management.
Carl Dawson, Asda’s CIO, says: “We are delighted to welcome Rob and Adrian to the Asda Technology team. With their combined experience,I am confident that we will now have the necessary expertise and experience to build best in class retail technology systems as we continue our separation journey from Walmart.”
3. Amazon works with Avery Dennison to combine Just Walk Out technology and RFID in checkout-free stores
Amazon has announced a new capability to its Just Walk Out technology that will enable relevant stores to start selling clothes.
This leverages RFID, supplied by Avery Dennison, and enables customers to grab clothes, hats, shoes etc, and walk out of the store through an exit gate (even while wearing their purchases) by tapping their credit or debit card, or hovering their palm over an Amazon One palm recognition device.
It is currently available at Lumen Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks.
“Delivering a great fan experience is central to everything we do here at Lumen Field, and our customers love the convenience of Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology,” says Zach Hensley, Seahawks Vice President of Operations and General Manager at Lumen Field.
“Eight of our concessions locations are already using Just Walk Out technology and seeing great results.”
“Now, we are excited to be the first NFL stadium with an RFID enabled Just Walk Out technology store so fans can grab their favourite hats, jerseys, and more, and simply walk out. We are seeing great traction for this new store, and our fans are enjoying the experience.”
4. Tata Consultancy Services helps Kingfisher unify physical and digital channels with TCS OmniStore
Kingfisher is using TCS OmniStore, an AI powered unified commerce platform from Tata Consultancy Services.
The company operates a chain of over 1,900 stores in eight countries across Europe under its retail banners including B&Q, Castorama, Brico Dépôt, Screwfix, TradePoint and Koçtaş.
It was looking to upgrade to a multilingual commerce platform that delivers a unified brand experience. In addition, it wanted to address legal, fiscal, and operational differences across all its European banners.
5. Calling all retailers and tech suppliers: the entry deadline for 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards is fast approaching
There are just a few weeks left to submit your entries for the 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards, which takes place on Wednesday, 29th November at the Barbican Arts Centre in central London.
The event, sponsored by PMC, CADS, 3D Cloud by Marxent, and Goodays, celebrates global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
Spread over 19 different categories, submissions are judged on the extent of innovation and transformation demonstrated, as well as the sustainability of the results.
Previous year’s winners have included B&Q, Pets at Home, Walmart, Sook, AiFi, Compass Group, Obsess, and Ribble Cycles.
The awards culminate in a fantastic ceremony, complete with a drinks reception and Christmas themed three-course meal at the Barbican Arts Centre on Wednesday 29th November.
A key event highlight is an exclusive pre-awards roundtable discussion, enabling retailers, tech suppliers and advisors to come together and talk about current retail challenges and opportunities.
Key dates
Friday, 27th October: Award entry deadline
Tuesday, 31st October: 2023 shortlist revealed
6th-10th November: Judging days
Wednesday, 29th November: The 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards ceremony
Categories, along with entry forms, can be found here.
6. Digital product passports from Fabacus launch in latest Nobody's Child x Fearne Cotton clothing line
Fashion brand Nobody’s Child has announced the launch of digital product passports (DPPs), enabling shoppers to make more conscious and informed choices when buying products.
The initial roll-out will be across the Happy Place Fearne Cotton collection which will be available online and at Nobody’s Child stores, as well as key retail partner, M&S.
Plans are afoot to have the DPPs across all garments by the end of 2024.
Scanned by a smartphone, each QR code takes the customer on a journey of that product’s creation.
The DPP has been designed with upcoming EU product transparency legislation in mind, ensuring that all key product information is captured and catalogued using Xelacore technology.
Powered by Fabacus, Nobody’s Child has harnessed its Xelacore technology to track and translate the gathering of numerous data points, mapping key stages of the supply chain from processing of the raw materials, through to the yarn and fabric mills, and finally to the garment factories where the final products are sewn together.
On scanning the DPP via a QR code in the care label, consumers will be taken to a landing page which includes the product's lifecycle carbon footprint, taking account for raw materials, finished good manufacturing, logistics, packaging, product care and end-use.
The page will also provide product care advice to help customers make their item last longer, as well as links to circular service partners – repair/alterations, rental and pre-loved.
People will be encouraged to trace their garments and visiting the Nobody’s Child DPP will be incentivised with gifts and the ability to download a unique non-fungible token (NFT) by way of a digital receipt, via a collaboration with Coinbase.
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