We’ll see you in court! RTIH flags the biggest retail technology news stories of the week
It’s Friday, the weekend is almost upon us, so let’s kick back and reflect on another eventful week for the retail systems space. Here's your briefing on the most important stories from the past five days, including Amazon Fresh, Cooler Screens, Walgreens, Retail Technology Show, Commerce Futures, Domino’s Pizza and Microsoft.
1. Just Walk Out technology powered Amazon Fresh London stores get entry, exit and self-checkout updates
Amazon has in recent weeks been busy tinkering with its Amazon Fresh checkout free convenience stores in Kensington, White City, and Southwark, London.
The ultimate aim here is alleviating some of the friction associated with the e-commerce giant’s Just Walk Out technology.
In a LinkedIn post, Thomas Monaghan, EU Head of Construction & Design at Amazon, said: “Busy couple of weeks in the team with lots of launches. Adam Quig (Senior Project Manager at Amazon Fresh Stores) and Steve Kirk (Senior Construction Manager - Amazon - Worldwide Grocery Real Estate) launched entry exit updates in Kensington and White City last week, with Southwark relaunching this week.”
He added: “Harriet Fitzgerald-Allsopp (Construction Coordinator at Amazon) helped to launch our first self-scans in Monument with some new signage to aide customers by Julia Wyatt (Senior Store Designer, Architect, Retail Designer) and Matthew Lyons (Senior Design Concept & Innovation Manager).”
“Thanks to everyone in the supply chain who helped deliver these challenging, quick turn around projects.”
2. An accident waiting to happen?: Major Cooler Screens and Walgreens retail technology deal collapses
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the supplier, Cooler Screens, is suing the pharmacy chain, saying that Walgreens binned a US roll-out of the internet connected doors and demanded their removal from stores.
Walgreens, meanwhile, insists that the tech didn’t work. It ended its agreement with Cooler Screens in February, according to court documents.
When then CEO Rosalind Brewer toured Walgreens stores featuring the digital screens, she is said to have made the comment, "It's like being on the strip in Las Vegas."
In a LinkedIn post, Brittain Ladd, a supply chain consultant and former Amazon executive, said: “I don't like the screens either and I applaud Ms. Brewer's decision to have them removed from Walgreens stores.”
“In fact, I do more than applaud Ms. Brewer, I give her a standing ovation. And yes, installing the screens does turn a store into a mini-Las Vegas. In addition, the screens make me feel like I am in Tokyo, Japan or Hong Kong.”
He added: “The agreement between Cooler Screens and Walgreens has a feel of sleaziness about it that I've never liked. It appears to be a classic case of a former executive leaving their employer, starting a company, and then returning to the employer to "cut a deal" which results in the former employer buying products or services.”
“In the case of Cooler Screens, Greg Wasson, is the former CEO of Walgreens. Obviously, Walgreens Boots Alliance board of directors didn't find anything wrong with doing business with their former CEO, but I would have never allowed an agreement to be signed. I strongly encourage the next CEO of Walgreens to continue with the suit and remove every screen from their stores. All of them.”
3. Sainsbury’s, Nectar360, Clear Channel celebrate partnership milestone with digital screen network move
Nectar360, which owns and operates Nectar, a UK loyalty coalition programme, as well as managing Sainsbury’s and Argos’ retail media services, has announced plans to expand its connected digital screen network to over 800 screens, in conjunction with out of home media and infrastructure company, Clear Channel, a move that also includes the launch of a new internal screen network.
The Sainsbury's Live network currently reaches millions of shoppers every week through more than 320 full motion digital screens, placed at store entrances.
It will now become the UK’s largest connected digital supermarket screen network, as Clear Channel upgrades the existing offering, expanding the external screen network to include 420 screens and launching up to 400 internal ones across stores nationwide.
4. Retail Technology Show and Commerce Futures agree partnership to boost e-commerce at RTS 2024
Retail Technology Show has announced a partnership with Commerce Futures, the aim of which is to enhance the e-commerce focused content and offerings at RTS 2024, scheduled to take place on 24th-25th April 2024, at Olympia, London.
Here's what to expect from the tie up:
Commerce Futures will host a dedicated e-commerce conference at RTS2024, featuring industry thought leaders and experts who will delve into the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the online sector.
Commerce Futures says that it is “hand picking a superstar lineup of speakers who know e-commerce like the back of their shopping bags. They'll dish out the secrets to e-commerce greatness, share success stories, and offer visionary insights to set you on the path to retail success”.
A dedicated e-commerce pavilion curated by Commerce Futures, meanwhile, promises to feature “industry trailblazers, tech wizards, and service geniuses”.
5. Domino’s Pizza and Microsoft partnership focuses on future of pizza ordering and store technology
Domino’s Pizza and Microsoft have partnered on a project involving pizza ordering and store operations and generative AI technology and cloud computing.
The companies will leverage the Microsoft Cloud and Azure OpenAI Service to enhance the former’s ordering process through personalisation and simplification.
With Microsoft as its primary cloud provider, Domino’s has already been experimenting with data and AI capabilities in a bid to make store operations smarter, simpler and more robust.
Work on modernising its store systems has evolved into the early stages of developing a generative AI assistant powered by Azure
OpenAI Service intended to help store managers save time on daily tasks such as inventory management, ingredient ordering and staff scheduling.
With plans to streamline pizza preparation and quality control with more predictive tools, this generative AI assistant will be designed with the goal of freeing store managers to dedicate more time to team member experience and customer service.
6. Asda inks multi-year divestiture and digital transformation deal with Tata Consultancy Services
Tata Consultancy Services has announced a multi-year partnership with Asda to support its digital transformation and to implement a new organisation wide IT operating model, following its divestiture from Walmart.
This will see the grocery giant leverage TCS’ cloud, AI, and security solutions.
TCS will build a new digital core by implementing multiple cloud-based ERP platforms to streamline Asda’s supply chain forecasting, buying and merchandising processes, HR processes, warehouse management, and e-commerce processes.
Additionally, it will use its Machine First Delivery Model to automate the retailer’s IT operations, with the aim of providing a seamless experience for employees and customers, and improving operational resilience.
7. Absolute Collagen taps new Pinterest Premiere Spotlight offering for product launch and brand recognition campaign
Absolute Collagen has chosen Pinterest and its new Premiere Spotlight ad format to raise awareness of its new Deep Lift skincare range.
With Premiere Spotlight, brands can secure premium placements on the social media platform for a selected period of time to promote high visibility campaigns to users.
This format showcases videos in locations such as the search page and the user’s home page, allowing brands to reserve their placement and dominate the screen, occupying approximately 50% of the mobile device space on the Pinterest search page.
Absolute Collagen is one of the first beauty and wellbeing brands to tap Premiere Spotlight for a product launch and brand recognition campaign.
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