German Doner Kebab, anyone?: Check out last week’s most read RTIH retail technology articles
These are the articles on this here website that caught your fancy last week, including Zippin, Amazon Fresh UK, Simbe Robotics, Waitrose, RELEX Solutions, eBay, Uber Direct, and the 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards.
It’s here! RTIH announces shortlist for 2023 omnichannel retail technology innovation awards
We’re pleased to announce the shortlist for the 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards, sponsored by PMC, FreedomPay, Worldpay from FIS, CADS, 3D Cloud by Marxent, Goodays, and Vista Technology Support.
We received a record number of submissions this year and many fantastic examples of the continued resilience and dynamism of the retail space during hugely challenging times.
Our winners will be revealed at the 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards ceremony, which will take place at the Barbican Centre in central London.
The event will be held on Wednesday, 29th November, maintaining its popular evening format, with a drinks reception in the stunning Conservatory, followed by a Christmas themed three course meal, and awards presentations in the Garden Room.
Congratulations to all those who made the shortlist.
To book your place at the 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards ceremony on Wednesday, 29th November, click here.
Towson University partners with Zippin and Atrium for launch of 24/7 checkout-free convenience store
Towson University has announced the opening of Tiger Express, a checkout-free store located in West Village Commons made possible through a partnership between Zippin and Atrium.
Open 24/7, this stocks a variety of essentials, including snacks, drinks, packaged meals and personal care products.
“The convenience offered by Tiger Express makes it easier for our students to purchase what they need, when they need it,” says Vernon Hurte, Vice President of Student Affairs. “The unique shopping experience will cut down on long lines and wait times that students typically faced.”
Seamus McHugh departs Intouch.com to take on Head of European Market Development role at Simbe Robotics
Seamus McHugh is joining US-based Simbe Robotics as Head of European Market Development.
He was previously Retail Sales Director at Intouch.com, a two sided media network in which physical retailers enrol their in-store digital displays and advertisers compete to advertise on them.
In a LinkedIn post, McHugh said: “Simbe have developed the world’s first and most advanced inventory robot for physical retail stores that autonomously scans shelves using AI to identify out-of-stock, misplaced, or mispriced products, as well as generate comprehensive product location data for efficient inventory replenishment.”
“It then delivers high quality, real-time actionable insights for the retailer to drive improved store operations.”
Interview: Amazon Fresh UK Director Matt Birch talks new Notting Hill Gate convenience store and biggest Christmas yet
Amazon Fresh UK Director Matt Birch sits down with Liz Morrell* to discuss stores, Christmas ranges, and Amazon’s goal to “build a best-in-class grocery experience for customers where we are the first choice, as we are in many other areas, for selection, value and convenience”.
Fashion tech company Zelig bags $15m in Series A funding for virtual try-on and styling experiences
Zelig has secured $15 million in Series A funding to support the launch of its AI powered virtual try-on and styling technology.
Hilco Global led the funding round, joined by Bezikian Zareh, which brings the company to a $100 million valuation.
It was launched by MadaLuxe Group co-founders Sandy Sholl and Adam Freede, who have privately funding Zelig’s development for three years.
bp invests in RELEX Solutions digital supply chain tech to enhance retail customer experience
bp has inked an agreement with RELEX Solutions to implement its forecasting and replenishment capabilities in its UK convenience retail business.
With over half of customers to bp’s UK retail stores now visiting on a food only basis, rather than for fuel only or food and fuel, product availability is key.
The RELEX platform leverages AI to provide forecasting and analytics to anticipate and meet fluctuations in customer demand and will support supply chain planning across bp’s 300 company owned retail sites and Wild Bean Cafes in the UK.
GMB union slams Asda and urges grocery giant to ‘get round table and pay women workers their due’
6th November, dubbed ‘Asda Equal Pay Day’ by the union, is the day the predominantly male workforce in distribution will have already earned what the predominantly female retail workforce will take home for the entire year.
This means retail staff face 39 working days before Christmas where they will effectively be paid nothing, compared to their distribution colleagues, the GMB claims.
Asda is currently facing the largest ever private sector equal pay claim, with approximately 50,000 current and former workers suing the company. A hearing takes place in September.
Waitrose gets personal as it overhauls online advertising in partnership with retail media tech firm CitrusAd
Waitrose has partnered with CitrusAd to roll-out relevant, targeted advertising across its online site.
The retailer, which is part of the John Lewis Partnership, says that its suppliers can now maximise their online presence through sponsored search and category product ads, as well as sponsored offers and checkout ad campaigns.
The move replaces static advertising - where all customers were served the same adverts - with a targeted model, in which shoppers are given updates from brands based on the product searches or areas they browse online.
It also gives suppliers the flexibility to change or boost their campaigns, rather than being tied into long-term fixed tenancy slots, allowing them to take advantage of events and seasonal changes.
With access to performance-based metrics and reporting, brands can measure the impact of their adverts, and return on ad spend (ROAS) down to the individual product level and by search term.
eBay opens streetwear pop-up store in New York City as e-commerce giant expands authentication service
eBay has launched Canal Street Wear, a pop-up shop in New York with a selection of authenticated streetwear and sneakers from top rated eBay sellers.
This was open on 3rd and 4th November.
Shoppers had access to items from such brands as NYMilan, RIF and Soled Out Jersey City. verified by eBay Authenticity Guarantee – the marketplace's authentication service that recently expanded to streetwear.
They could also bring in streetwear items from their own closets to have them authenticated on-site by eBay’s team of streetwear experts.
German Doner Kebab launches delivery service for its app with Uber Direct following trial period
German Doner Kebab (GDK) is now offering customers delivery from its restaurants across the UK, through its own app, in partnership with Uber Direct, Uber’s white label delivery product.
Customers can now download the German Doner Kebab app, place an order for delivery from their local restaurant, and have the order delivered by couriers who use the Uber Eats app to earn.
The GDK app uses Uber’s technology to provide customers with real-time tracking and 24/7 customer support. The launch, which covers German Doner Kebab’s over 130 UK wide restaurants, follows a trial period at selected sites earlier in the year.
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