Starring Amazon, Aptos, and NewStore: last week’s most read RTIH retail technology articles
These are the articles on this here website that caught your fancy last week, including Fossil Group, Ikea, Tesco, 3DLOOK, NCR Atleos, Asda, and the 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards.
2023 RTIH Innovation Awards winners announced during glittering ceremony in central London last week
Last 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.
Amazon puts returned, refurbished and open box items back on sale at new physical store in London
Amazon has opened a Second Chance Store in London, giving festive shoppers the chance to buy quality returned products in-person, for the first time.
This is located at the Brunswick Centre in Central London, and features deals on a wide range of returned products. Customers can shop for kitchen and household appliances, books, games and toys, electricals and more.
Amazon offers quality returned products year round online at Amazon Second Chance, which also provides customers with information about product repair, recycling and trade-in for electronics.
The store is open for the next two weeks in partnership with Barnardo’s, with all proceeds supporting its work with children and young people.
Amazon UK opens Just Walk Out technology powered Amazon Fresh store in Notting Hill, London
Amazon has opened an Amazon Fresh store in Notting Hill, London.
This is its 20th in the UK market and 19th in London, with the non-London location situated in Sevenoaks, Kent.
To enter the store, customers walk through a non-gated entrance and shop for what they need.
When done, they can either scan their in-store code (via the Amazon app) at the exit gate or tap their credit card. Customers can also use one of three self-checkout tills for an extra option.
And they can pick up and return items purchased online from the in-store Amazon Hub counter, with a QR code.
Fossil Group gears up to deploy NewStore mobile Point of Sale solution across 19 countries
Fossil Group is using NewStore’s technology globally across its Fossil, Fossil Outlet, and Watch Station stores.
The lifestyle accessories company has replaced its legacy store solution with the NewStore mobile Point of Sale (mPOS) solution, which will be live in hundreds of locations across 19 countries once the project is complete.
Fossil Group is putting an app powered, digitally connected retail experience in the hands of its associates, allowing them to assist and check out customers anywhere on the store floor with a mobile device.
Aptos research: 88% of Gen Z shoppers in UK plan to visit physical stores this Golden Quarter
The majority of Gen Z shoppers plan to spend more or the same on Christmas gifts compared to last year and visiting stores during the festive period is a top priority, according to research from Aptos.
Virtual fitting room specialist 3DLOOK partners with BERSHKA to boost online shopping experience
3DLOOK, a specialist in AI powered mobile body scanning and virtual try-on solutions, has announced a partnership with BERSHKA, a fashion brand under the Inditex (ITX) umbrella.
The tie up aims to reduce return rates for the brand, boost conversions and sales by eliminating the sizing guesswork online shoppers face, and simultaneously provide interactive shopping experiences to young tech savvy consumers.
BERSHKA will leverage 3DLOOK's virtual fitting room YourFit, to provide accurate size and fit recommendations, as well as an engaging virtual try-on experience, directly on its website.
Customers can now choose an item and click on a “See how it fits me” widget to be voice guided in real-time through a quick and easy camera-based flow.
Using a front and side photo of the customer, the solution’s precise 3D mapping technology and size recommendation engine then offer instant feedback on what size would fit best and provide an accurate and photorealistic virtual try-on experience.
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.
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.
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