Featuring Sensei, Obsess, and OnBuy: RTIH’s biggest retail technology articles on LinkedIn right now
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 Freedompay, Pennies, Kingfisher, Costa Coffee, Le Mieux, Akeneo, and the 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards.
Autonomous store tech firm Sensei enters Italy with new Tuday Prendi & Go store in Verona
Portuguese startup Sensei has announced its entry into Italy with the opening of the country’s first autonomous supermarket.
Located in Verona, the Tuday Prendi & Vai location was inaugurated on Wednesday 8th November, offering a shopping experience with no queues, or self-scanning or checkout processes.
Sensei, whose autonomous stores can also be found in Europe and South America, has partnered with the DAO cooperative, which has been operating in the retail sector for over 60 years and is present in the provinces of Trento, Bolzano, Vicenza, and Verona, where it manages the Conad brand.
Tuday Prendi & Go (in English, Grab & Go) in Verona allows customers to enter without any barriers, pick up the products they want, and leave without the need to go to a checkout counter and/or wait in line to pay.
It also marks the debut of technological developments made by Sensei to enhance the user experience.
In addition to eliminating barriers to entry into the store, it offers people the opportunity to review their shopping cart, updated in real-time, before leaving the store. At the payment terminal, after accessing their cart, customers can choose from different payment methods and pay by card or using the Tuday - Prendi & Vai app.
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.
Kingfisher announces AI powered DIY assistant, launching initially at Castorama France
Kingfisher has launched what is pitched as the first AI powered assistant in the home improvement sector, harnessing the capability of generative AI to support customers with their DIY projects.
Launching initially at Castorama France, this answers customers’ DIY queries and provides step-by-step advice on a range of home improvement projects, as well as tailored product recommendations.
Customers can ask the assistant questions in natural language while shopping online – for example “how do I install a worktop in my kitchen” or “which saw should I choose to cut my worktop?”.
It will answer in a friendly and conversational way with relevant advice.
As well as conversing with customers via text chat, the assistant will soon be able analyse photos to perform visual searches and answer visual queries.
J.Crew taps Obsess immersive e-commerce platform for launch of holiday virtual store experience
J.Crew has launched a holiday virtual store experience in partnership with immersive e-commerce platform Obsess, featuring an AI Card Generator and Ski Game.
The World of J.Crew offering takes the form of a snow lodge for women’s apparel and accessories and a separate ski chalet for men’s apparel.
The AI Card Generator allows visitors to answer a set of ‘this or that’ questions, which will then generate a holiday greeting card based on their responses.
The Ski Game is inspired by a vintage video game that has the player move the skier through a series of red flags to avoid trees on the path.
Visitors can interact with content highlighting the brand’s heritage, participate in a scavenger hunt for a chance to win a cashmere giveaway, and shop J.Crew’s curated edit of winter and holiday styles.
Our electric friends in the north: shoppers get new EV charging hub at Trafford’s White City Retail Park
Visitors to Trafford’s White City Retail Park are now able to charge their electric vehicles while they shop thanks to the installation of five new ultra-rapid chargers.
All Be.EV members will also have exclusive access to this, free of charge, at this location for a week, from Tuesday 14th until Tuesday 21st November.
The project marks the start of a partnership between The Derwent Group, who operate the retail park on behalf of The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation, and EV charging network Be.EV.
LeMieux deploys Akeneo retail technology to improve product experiences for customers
Equestrian brand, LeMieux, says that it has improved product experiences through the creation of a single source of data in partnership with Akeneo.
Disrupting the e-commerce market: OnBuy boss Cas Paton talks first ever profitable month and plans for 2024
UK-based online marketplace, OnBuy, had its first ever profitable month in October, and is forecasting a profitable quarter.
In a LinkedIn post, Cas Paton, OnBuy Founder and CEO, who did not reveal specific numbers, said: “We've closed a strategic investment from a NASDAQ listed global tech player. Now, we're inviting our existing shareholders to invest in the next part of the journey.”
He aded that his company was exploring the opportunity of opening a small round for external investors, sellers, customers to partake through crowdfunding.
MAXIMA GRUPĖ expands its footprint with RELEX Solutions to include T-Market stores in Bulgaria
MAXIMA GRUPĖ is expanding its collaboration with RELEX Solutions.
Since 2012, RELEX has provided MAXIMA with space and merchandising solutions for its 500+ stores throughout the Baltics. The new project will include its 120 grocery T-Market stores in Bulgaria.
The retailer says that the solution will drive sales, its operational efficiency, inventory reduction, and availability while providing mobile system access that will improve collaboration between stores and central planning teams.
Freedompay announces addition of micro-donation charity Pennies to its technology stack
FinTech firm Freedompay has announced a strategic partnership with Pennies, the micro-donation charity.
This will see it integrate Pennies into its technology stack.
Alison Hutchinson, CEO at Pennies, says: “We’re delighted to be partnering with FreedomPay, whose innovation, growth and purpose-led mission has the potential to unlock millions more micro-donation opportunities.”
“FreedomPay’s values align with our own commitment to making giving simple, every day – ensuring customers have affordable ways to donate and enabling brands to generate real social impact.”
“We look forward to working with FreedomPay and their merchants, using tech for social good and raising millions for charity.”
Logistics company and 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards nominee Kammac announces acquisition by Elanders
Kammac has been acquired by the Elanders group, a Swedish stock market listed business which offers global supply chain management solutions.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The purchase price will be paid in two parts, one at the time of the takeover and the other as an earn-out in 2025.
Last.app raises €5m to power restaurants across Europe in funding round led by Nauta Capital
Last.app, a business operating system for restaurants, has secured a €5 million funding round led by Nauta Capital with participation from existing investors, All Iron and Bynd.
Last.app’s model as a restaurant’s operating system is designed to integrate with any type of software and hardware and offers a range of native modules, such as PoS system, online reservations, delivery hub, e-commerce, order and pay, and more than 200 integrations to various existing services.
The Spanish startup was founded in 2019 by Iván and Eric Nikolic who had first hand experience of the pains felt by the restaurant industry during their time at Glovo and used their knowledge to launch a product in 2021.
Costa Coffee taps UKG workforce planning and forecasting solutions for frontline and hourly employees
Costa Coffee has deployed AI powered UKG workforce planning and forecasting solutions for frontline and hourly workers.
Check out our LinkedIn page here.
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