Starring Amazon, eBay, and Studenac: RTIH’s 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 an APEC and MEA first for Ocado Solutions, a significant mobile payments acquisition, and the fifth edition of the RTIH Innovation Awards.
1. Once in a generation opportunity: Amazon preps addition of ChatGPT style search to its online store
Amazon is working on a new search functionality for its online store featuring a ChatGPT like interface.
A pair of job postings spotted by Bloomberg highlight the company’s plans.
In a job listing for a “Sr Technical Program Manager,” it states: “We are working on a new AI first initiative to re-architect and reinvent the way we do search through the use of extremely large scale next-generation deep learning techniques.”
A second listing, this one for a “Sr SDE, Machine Learning (ML), Amazon Search” position claims that the initiative will be “a once in a generation transformation for search”.
“We are reimagining Amazon search with an interactive conversational experience that helps you find answers to product questions, perform product comparisons, receive personalised product suggestions, and so much more, to easily find the perfect product for your needs.”
It’s also worth noting that Amazon recently unveiled its own Bedrock AI foundational models.
2. Ocado Solutions announces appointment of Adriano Araujo as its first APAC and MEA President
In this role he will lead its operations across the region, growing with current partners and bringing new retailers to the Ocado Smart Platform (OSP).
He joins from consumer insights businesses, dunnhumby, where he was President of its Latin American business. Previously he also led dunnhumby’s operations in Asia Pacific, across nine countries and 200+ employees in the region.
Luke Jensen, CEO at Ocado Solutions, says: “I’m delighted that Adriano is joining us in the newly created role of President, APAC & MEA.”
“Ocado’s footprint across the region is growing. We have signed ambitious partnerships already in Japan, South Korea, and Australia and continue to engage with retailers across the wider region as they look to harness the growing online grocery opportunity.”
“Adriano brings a wealth of insight into global consumer trends across Asia Pacific to Ocado, as well as a unique understanding of the changing retail landscape in the region. It’s great to have him onboard.”
3. Ready to roll: 2023 RTIH retail technology awards are now open for submissions
After launching in 2019 and delivering hugely successful follow up events in 2020, 2021 and 2022, the RTIH Innovation Awards return in 2023 with a discussion panel and awards ceremony to be held in central London venues during December.
The fifth edition of the awards is now open for entries.
The event celebrates global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
We received a record number of submissions in 2022, with winners including Sook, B&Q, 3D Cloud by Marxent, Compass Group, AiFi, Walmart, Ribble Cycles, Obsess, HyperFinity, Red Ant, Pets at Home, and TPP Retail.
Our winners and highly commended companies were announced at a sold out event in central London on Tuesday, 6th December.
For 2023, we are introducing new categories and expanding the awards ceremony in December to accommodate more attendees (further details on that will be revealed in the near future).
Scott Thompson, Editor and Founder of RTIH, says: “Our awards celebrate the dynamic, resilient and innovative retail sector and the companies and technologies that drive it forward.”
“Competition was tougher than ever in 2022, so to emerge victorious was no mean feat.”
“Congratulations to our winners and highly commended companies. I’m excited to launch the fifth edition of the awards. The 2023 event will be the biggest and best yet.”
Deadline for 2023 submissions is Friday, 27th October, with winners being revealed at the aforementioned event in central London during December.
4. Fabrick acquires mobile payments firm Judopay as it looks to become a market leader in the UK
Fabrick, a European open finance specialist, has announced the acquisition of Judopay, a UK-based mobile payments company. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Judopay, which will continue operating under its own brand, currently handles 60 million+ transactions a year worth over €2 billion and has partnered with the likes of KFC, PaybyPhone group, and Autocab.
The company has also been a launch partner for Apple in launching Apple Pay in-app payments in the UK, and Mastercard (Click2Pay and the Pay by Bank App).
5. Croatia's Studenac teams with Infobip on conversational tools that boost customer engagement
Croatian grocery retailer Studenac has partnered with Infobip to design and implement solutions for customer conversations.
The aim is to improve customer engagement by allowing people to use platforms such as WhatsApp to communicate with Studenac.
“We are excited to join forces with Infobip to help us accelerate our journey of improving customer satisfaction, on a project that’s the first of its kind in Croatia,” says Studenac Board President Michał Seńczuk.
“Our team’s hard work has already brought us to the leading position by number of stores, but we’re not finished yet. Through initiatives like this, we’re harnessing digital technologies to continue growing, targeting a market share of more than 10% and a position among Croatia’s top three retailers by sales in the next three years.”
6. eBay boosts pre-loved fashion category with digital ID technology via Certilogo deal
eBay has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Certilogo, a provider of AI powered apparel and fashion goods digital IDs and authentication.
Closing is subject to satisfaction of customary conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to occur in the third quarter. Further details were not disclosed.
“For many years, consumers have turned to eBay as a trusted destination for buying and selling preloved apparel and fashion goods, not only because of the unmatched selection, but because of our commitment to utilising the latest technology to empower our sellers and buyers,” says Charis Marquez, VP, eBay.
“Certilogo’s technology and talented team allows eBay to build on this commitment, establishing eBay as a leader in pre-loved fashion, and offering new ways for consumers to connect and engage with brands.”
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