2023 RTIH Innovation Awards winners announced: 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 Aldi, Pinterest, Shein, Ikea UK, Tesco, Retail Technology Show 2024, and Asda.
1. 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards winners announced during glittering ceremony in central London this week
This week, we announced the winning submissions for the 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards, sponsored by PMC, FreedomPay, Worldpay from FIS, CADS, 3D Cloud by Marxent, Goodays, and Vista Technology Support.
Our winners were revealed during an event which took place at the Barbican Centre in central London and included a drinks reception in the stunning Conservatory, followed by a Christmas themed three course meal, and awards presentation in the Garden Room.
Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, says: “Since we launched the awards in 2019, they have gone from strength to strength and holding them at the Barbican Centre, a much loved, internationally acclaimed venue, is going to be a tough one to top.”
“Thanks to all those who entered the 2023 awards, many of whom were at our event last night. 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.”
“Congratulations to our 2023 winners and highly commended submissions.”
“To quote a member of our judging panel: “What a year, these awards are really going from strength to strength. There were many categories in there that were so difficult to call. Very worthy entries and winners.”
Further information on all our 2023 entries can be found here.
2. Aldi and Kevin The Carrot announce Pinterest partnership to push retailer's new festive campaign
Aldi and Kevin The Carrot have teamed up with Pinterest to promote their new festive campaign.
Leveraging a series of Pinterest’s new ad formats for the first time such as Lead ad, Premiere Spotlight and Breakthrough video, Aldi’s campaign also marks a category first by featuring a secret board, giving users the chance to access a Pinterest board full of festive cheer.
Users searching for Christmas inspiration will discover an animated ‘Golden Pin’ video which adopts a breakthrough technique to appear in the home feed, giving them exclusive access to the Secret Christmas Factory Pinterest board.
The invite mechanic behind the Golden Pin utilises the Lead Generation ad format and invites users to fill in their email and Pinterest handle, to be added to the secret board.
3. Asda expands use of NCR Atleos ATMs to provide convenient in-store cash access
Asda has selected NCR Atleos as its ATM network partner.
Its customers will soon be able to transact with over 1,200 Cashzone branded Atleos owned and operated ATMs in more than 600 stores.
According to a press release: “By selecting the proven experts at Atleos to provide an end-to-end ATM solution, Asda will reduce complexity and boost efficiency, while providing optimum availability and access for customers”.
The grocery giant will also leverage Atleos’ onscreen marketing at the ATM to promote its brand, offers and services.
4. “Shein is a chameleon": Fast fashion firm preps blockbuster US IPO with supply chain prowess as its superpower
Chinese fast fashion giant Shein has filed confidential paperwork for an initial public offering with the US securities regulator, according to people close to the matter.
Shein has disrupted the clothing industry with its on-trend $5 skirts and $9 jeans in the past few years. The 11-year-old company is now one of the largest fashion brands in the world.
It has hired JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs to advise it on the IPO.
Shein is backed by investors including Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala, venture capital group Sequoia China and private equity group General Atlantic.
Chinese retailers and logistics companies are ahead of the curve, Brittain Ladd, a supply chain consultant and former Amazon executive, observed in a LinkedIn post.
“Most brands and apparel retailers have dismissed Shein as a threat to their business. In 2022, I spoke with a CEO at a major retailer who told me, “Shein is a fad. We aren’t concerned.” Big mistake,” he commented.
5. Registration opens for Retail Technology Show 2024, event takes place in London during April
Registration for Retail Technology Show 2024 is now open.
Having increased senior retail visitor numbers by 45% year-on-year in 2023 with almost 10,000 industry decision makers attending RTS last year, the organisers are promising a “bigger, better and bolder” show at London’s Olympia on 24th-25th April 2024.
With over 85% of its 2024 floor space already sold-out and packed with the latest cutting-edge innovators, RTS is pitched as a one stop shop for technology.
Over 300 companies - from tech’s biggest players, fast growth disruptors and startups - will showcase their solutions, spanning the full spectrum of tech to power every part of retailers’ operations.
6. Ikea UK kicks off national roll-out of mobile collection points in collaboration with grocery giant Tesco
Ikea UK has announced the national roll-out of over 70 additional mobile pick-up points in partnership with Tesco.
Through the service, shoppers can collect their online Ikea orders from a designated area in the carpark of participating Tesco stores – with orders over £100 free to collect and £5 for all other orders.
This follows a pilot launch of the scheme last year and the trial of 12 mobile pick-up points.
The gradual expansion is now underway, with over 70 new pick-up points planned throughout various regions in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which are all set to be live by autumn 2024.
7. First ever Amazon Just Walk Out technology powered store within a hospital premises opens doors in UK
Part of the new two-storey Main Entrance and Admin Hub under construction at the Princess Royal Hospital, the Market Express store will be accessible to Telford patients, visitors and staff.
A customer enters the store by using their credit card, debit card or mobile wallet at the entry gate. The technology detects what the shopper takes from or returns to shelves and creates a virtual shopping session.
When they’re done, they can leave the store without waiting in line. The credit card, debit card or mobile wallet they used to enter the store is charged for items taken.
The store provides a range of hot and cold food to go, such as sandwiches and salads, as well as sundries such as chilled meals and groceries, and even toiletries. Guests can also obtain hot beverages from Change Please, a social enterprise that donates all profits to tackling homelessness.
In addition, a newly opened Costa Coffee store will serve the same beverages and range of food as its high street stores, including toasties and breakfast items.
This will also include self-service kiosks, a Click & Collect service available via the Costa Club app, and a partnership with Too Good to Go, helping minimise food waste.
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