The latest from Emperia, YOOBIC, and Tesco: 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 SAXX, Trigo, Leyland SDM, Gophr, The Fresh Market, Firework, Austin FC, and Amazon.
Emperia retail technology powers new SAXX immersive experience in the metaverse
Men’s underwear and apparel brand SAXX has launched what is pitched as the first ever dedicated virtual store by an underwear company.
This is an immersive experience in the metaverse, powered by Emperia, that allows shoppers to browse three-dimensional items in a 360-degree showroom.
The store exclusively features underwear, tops and swimwear from SAXX’s DropTempTM collection, which uses proprietary evaporative fabric to cool the body.
Upon entering, shoppers are transported to an oxymoronic environment where it’s snowing in the desert, highlighting the cooling qualities of DropTempTM. A short pathway lined with shoppable product displays leads to an open air showroom.
More items can be found around the showroom’s swimming pool, including underwear, short and long sleeve tops, polos and hoodies with UPF 50 that can be worn in the water.
Shoppers are encouraged to “dive in” to the pool, which unlocks another retail area consisting of a variety of prints from SAXX’s swimwear line.
YOOBIC announces new executive hire as it looks to accelerate UK and European growth
Frontline employee experience platform specialist, YOOBIC, has announced the appointment of Daniel Cuffley as Senior Vice President – Sales, EMEA.
The firm’s platform is used by over 300 brands including Levi’s, Benetton, Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, Lidl and Boots, with over 1.3 million frontline employees tapping its apps.
Cuffley has two decades of experience driving business development and sales growth for companies including Motorola, Medallia., Yahoo! and ThoughtSpot.
He previously served as VP EMEA ar analytics anywhere company, Starbust Data, and will use his expertise to identify and capitalise on growth opportunities for YOOBIC across Europe, as the company looks to double the size of its customer reach in this key region.
Heading to Smart Retail Tech Expo in London next week? Then be sure to drop by the RTIH stand
Smart Retail Tech Expo will take place next week from 28th February to 1st March at London ExCel.
If you’re planning to attend, please do drop by our stand (ST491) to say hi, meet our Editor, Scott Thompson, and pick up a free copy of the latest issue of RTIH magazine.
Checkout-free stores: retail’s next normal or overhyped and of limited value to high streets?
Checkout-free is retail's next to next normal, says Krishna Motukuri, CEO and Co-founder at Zippin.
In a tweet, posted on Saturday, he observes: “This is unfolding rapidly across stadiums and airports in the US and spreading to the rest of the world. Self-checkout and scan and go have too much friction to survive in the long run.”
Click here to see our take on the checkout-free stores space.
Tesco leaves London and switches on GetGo Aston University Express checkout free store in Birmingham
Tesco has opened its latest GetGo location, Aston University Express. Powered by Trigo technology, this is located in Birmingham, the UK’s second largest city.
The university location is the final instalment of Tesco’s announced three autonomous stores deployment throughout the UK, the other sites being Chiswell Street Express in central London, and Fulham Reach Express in Parrs Way, London.
It is the largest autonomous Tesco store to date at over 4,000 sq ft.
Leyland SDM partners with Gophr to offer nationwide same day delivery service
London-based decorating and DIY specialist, Leyland SDM, has announced a partnership with Gophr, offering its customers nationwide, same day delivery.
The partnership marks an expansion of Gophr Trades, a specialist delivery service for the construction and DIY industries as well as larger construction and related trade businesses.
Gophr will provide a same day service via a ship from store model, across Leyland’s 33 store estate, seven days a week with no limit on product type, size of order or distance from store.
MLS club Austin FC deploys Amazon Just Walk Out technology at ATX Market store
Major League Soccer’s Austin FC has partnered with Amazon to equip the ATX Market at Q2 Stadium with Just Walk Out technology.
This makes it the first soccer specific stadium in the world to introduce the checkout-free solution.
Those visiting the aforementioned store can use their credit card at the ATX Market entry gates to begin their experience.
Once inside, anything a guest selects from the shelf is automatically added to their virtual cart, and anything placed back on the shelf comes out of said cart.
When fans are done, they will be able to leave the store without waiting in line to check-out. Upon exit, the credit card used at entry will be charged for the items they left the store with.
The ATX Market is located near The Zebra Gate at Q2 Stadium’s northwest corner.
Armani beauty teams with payfree and Avery Dennison to bring checkout tech to Berlin International Film Festival
Visitors to the Berlin International Film Festival will be able to enjoy a new shopping experience, with Armani beauty opening a cashier-less pop-up store at the heart of Berlin's Potsdamer Platz.
From 16th-26th February, film fans and passers-by can test and buy a variety of fragrances and make-up products in a set up made possible by grab and go technology provider payfree and Avery Dennison, a specialist in digital identification solutions.
It is the second time Armani beauty has partnered up with payfree and Avery Dennison to implement an RFID-based check-out.
In November 2022, they showcased their cashierless pop-up store concept in Dusseldorf – the first ever in the beauty sector.
The Fresh Market enlists Firework to launch Shoppable Video-Live Commerce (SVLC) retail media network
Firework has proved an update on its longstanding partnership with specialty food retailer, The Fresh Market.
The latter is using the Firework video commerce platform to launch what is pitched as the USA’s first ever Shoppable Video-Live Commerce (SVLC) retail media network (RMN).
The latest from Carrefour, Very, and Tesco: Presenting the week's coolest retail technology plays
RTIH Editor, Scott Thompson, brings you his top ‘future of retail’ systems launches and deployments from the past week, including immersive experiences, autonomous firsts, creator led ad campaigns, and product discovery experience tie ups.
Check out our LinkedIn page here.
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