Featuring Waitrose, DPD, and Akeneo: 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 bp, RELEX Solutions, Zelig, Towson University, Zippin, Atrium, refurbed, Better Cotton, 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.
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.
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.
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.”
refurbed closes $57 million Series C round led by Evli Growth Partners, C4 Ventures and Speedinvest
refurbed, a marketplace for refurbished and upgraded electronics, has announced a $57 million Series C investment led by existing backers Evli, C4 and Speedinvest, with participation from All Iron and several newcomers.
This brings the total investment since the company's inception in 2017 to $130 million, following seeding in 2018 at just under $2 million, a Series A in 2020 ($17 million), and Series B in 2021 ($54 million).
“This milestone not only marks a significant achievement for us, but also signals the wider market's shift towards embracing sustainability in consumer choices,” says Peter Windischhofer, cC-founder and CEO at refurbed.
“Our scalable business model enables us to both grow profitably and make consumption more sustainable. A win-win for us and our planet.”
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.
Post Office partners with DPD to offer in-branch customers new parcel delivery option
The Post Office has teamed up with DPD as part of a plan to offer in-branch customers a wider range of parcel delivery options.
The new Buy-In-Branch parcel service will begin in selected branches in time for the peak Christmas delivery season, complementing the recent launch of Parcels Online which enables customers to compare and purchase shipping online for drop-off in Post Offices.
People will be able to walk up to a counter and choose to send their parcels with DPD.
Better Cotton works with retailers and brands on new traceability solution for fashion and textile sectors
Sustainability initiative, Better Cotton, has officially launched what is pitched as a first of its kind traceability solution for the fashion and textile sectors.
This has been developed over three years and will provide visibility of cotton’s journey through the supply chain by logging stakeholder input on the Better Cotton platform.
The organisation has worked with a network of member retailers and brands, including H&M Group, Marks & Spencer, Walmart, Target, Bestseller, Gap and C&A, to ensure that fashion companies can accurately trace and disclose the origin of raw materials, and comply with emerging regulations.
Product experience and information management firm Akeneo hires Sabrina Jaksa as Chief People Officer
Akeneo, a product experience (PX) company and provider of product information management (PIM) solutions, has appointed Sabrina Jaksa as Chief People Officer.
Based in France, Jaksa will report to Akeneo’s CEO and Founder, Fred de Gombert.
With a career spanning over 20 years, she joins the company after serving as the Group Chief People Experience Officer at Singapore-based Funding Societies | Modalku, a SME digital financing platform and debt investment platform.
“Creating revolutionary product experiences for our customers starts with our employees. We are excited to bring on Sabrina and her deep expertise in championing people strategies that empower us all to win,” says de Gombert.
“Sabrina has a proven track record in setting the right foundations that build high-functioning teams and departments in a performance driven company.”
Israeli retailer HaStok places follow on order for 1,000 smart carts from A2Z Cust2Mate subsidiary
A2Z Smart Technologies Corp. reports that HaStok, a specialist in Israel's home design and household essentials retail sector, has reached an agreement with A2Z Cust2Mate to order an additional 1,000 smart carts.
This will take HaStok's total smart cart deployment to 2,000 units.
The agreement encompasses an initial upfront payment, a guaranteed monthly subscription fee, and a revenue sharing agreement, primarily revolving around value added solutions, including advertising services.
Flying Tiger Copenhagen deploys MishiPay solutions across 56 UK stores, preps mPoS roll-out
Flying Tiger Copenhagen has announced the deployment of MishiPay's suite of transaction solutions across 56 UK stores.
Since the end of September, the chain has been operating exclusively on MishiPay for all transactions.
Already a user of MishiPay's Scan & Go solution, Flying Tiger Copenhagen has expanded its partnership to include cash desk and self-checkout kiosks. It has further plans to introduce the company’s mobile Point of Sale (mPOS) solution to its roster.
Health and beauty retailer Boots UK taps Ocula Technologies’ Ocula Boost solution to boost online experience
Boots UK is deploying Ocula Technologies’ Ocula Boost solution.
The AI platform addresses abandoned shopping carts by analysing sites to: identify actions to improve the customer experience, accessibility and performance; rank insights based on predicted value and effort; and ensure teams focus on the right areas.
In a LinkedIn post, Ocula Technologies said: “We could not be happier to be working with Boots UK, the UK’s leading health & beauty retailer.”
It added: “Ocula Boost will be aiming to further contribute to their incredible success: Boots.com recently posted a 28.9% sales increase over quarter and it was the retailer’s tenth consecutive quarter of market share growth.”
"Ocula Boost is about ensuring the Boots.com experience continues to be best in class and relevant for our customers. The AI capabilities it provides ensure we are making use of the latest technologies to stay ahead,” commented Paula Bobbett, Chief Digital Officer at Boots.
Check out our LinkedIn page here.
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