The age of the influencer: Check out April’s most clicked RTIH retail technology articles
These are the RTIH retail systems articles that caught your fancy during April, including Samsung UK, Outform, Avon UK, Amazon, Gently, Valtech, Specsavers, AutoStore, and Ocado.
Drum roll, please. RTIH publishes its 2023 Top 100 Retail Technology Influencers List
The latest edition of the RTIH Top 100 Retail Technology Influencers List has arrived!
Here are the people who made a splash in 2022 and are set for a barnstorming 2023.
RTIH has scoured the retail technology world to find the most influential figures for this comprehensive list of people and trends that shape the industry and help drive it forward.
We’re living in unprecedented times.
The Covid-19 outbreak has driven a seismic change in shopping habits, with checkout free stores, automation in the supply chain, rapid delivery services, and the metaverse making waves.
Such disruption requires new ways of problem solving and thought leaders who can both evangelise and execute on the likes of digital transformation and omnichannel success.
Which is where the RTIH Top 100 Retail Technology Influencers List comes in, presented, we should stress, in no particular order.
We hope you enjoy reading through it and, as always, if you would like to give feedback or believe that there are some glaring omissions, please feel free to get in touch here.
Download the list in pdf format here.
Or read via Issuu.
👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
Samsung UK plugs new Galaxy S23 phone series with immersive pop-up roadshow
Samsung has launched an interactive and immersive pop-up roadshow in the UK, starting in Oxford, to highlight the ‘nightography’ camera and gaming capabilities of its new Galaxy S23 series.
The concept was created, designed and built by Outform.
Visitors were able to check-in to the experience by scanning a QR code through Outform’s PodDrop product, which entered them into a competition to win a new Galaxy S23.
The space then included a selfie booth with colour changing LEDs so that visitors could see the camera’s consistent quality in different light settings.
Photos could then be shared digitally whilst they received an instant print to take away, both of which were watermarked with the Galaxy S23 series name and Samsung branding.
Guests were also able to use the Galaxy S23 as a controller so that they could play the various games available on the device through Samsung’s 55” Odyssey Ark Gaming Monitor, giving them the opportunity to play on a bigger screen, entirely powered by the Galaxy S23 device.
In addition, visitors could explore Samsung Galaxy’s ecosystem of products through real-life demos supported by interactive screens to tell the brand story.
The pop-up then travelled to six other high streets and universities across Brierley Hill, Nottingham, Manchester, Cardiff, Southampton and Reading.
“LA is just the beginning”: AI powered logistics startup Gently completes first delivery
Gently, a Los Angeles-based AI powered logistics firm, has marked its official launch by delivering its first item in West Los Angeles.
Co-founded by former Harvard Business School classmates Anas Aljumaily and Elian Pres-Gurwits, Gently is seeking to create a fully decentralised supply chain in America by 2040.
The firm is a last mile delivery provider that partners with retailers and leverages artificial intelligence and predictive data to store goods closer to the customer.
Online boom: Avon UK launches on Amazon for first time amidst omnichannel push
Avon products are now available to purchase on Amazon as the beauty brand steps up its omnichannel strategy, and unveils a new visual identity and ‘Embrace your Power’ brand positioning.
Avon is expanding its sales channels to Amazon for the first time in the UK.
It says it is looking to “embrace a wider customer base who wish to enjoy aspirational beauty products at irresistible value; something that’s even more important for consumers with the higher cost of living”.
Over 300 of its beauty and skincare products are now available via the online retailer, with more planned to launch across the year. These include the Glimmerstick Eyeliner, Power Stay Foundation and Power Serum with Protinol technology.
Valtech announces partnership with Specsavers to optimise optical retailer’s customer facing technology
As a consultant for Specsavers, Valtech will work with it to optimise its approach to digitisation by not only helping to integrate the right technology for its business needs, but also refine ways of working and technology operations across its different regions.
A key part of the partnership will focus on identifying where speed and efficiency improvements can be made within its tech stack and advising how technology can be used to advance Specsavers’ goal of ensuring an exceptional customer experience.
Additionally, Specsavers will tap into Valtech’s global delivery team to ensure it has the right people with the right skillset to drive crucial aspects of its digital transformation journey.
AutoStore must think big and reevaluate strategy following Ocado robots feud legal showdown
AutoStore had originally asserted six patents against Ocado in October 2020.
Of these, two were invalidated by the European Patent Office before judgment was handed down, two were withdrawn by AutoStore shortly before the hearing started and the remaining two were invalidated in the judgement.
AutoStore claimed that the decision had no impact on its business or operations.
Whilst that may be true, should the company take this opportunity to reevaluate its strategy?
Walmart Universe of Play leaves Roblox metaverse just six months after its high profile launch
Walmart has binned a branded space in Roblox called Universe of Play just six months after a splashy entrance on to the immersive experiences scene.
This follows claims by nonprofit consumer advocacy group Truth in Advertising and other watchdogs that the metaverse game not only blurred the distinction between advertising content and organic content, but also lacked required disclosures and manipulated kids into viewing and interacting with stealth ads.
Walmart said the Universe of Play move was “as planned.”
The US retail giant touted the offering as “the ultimate virtual toy destination,” with products and characters from kid friendly franchises Paw Patrol, Jurassic World, L.O.L. Surprise! and more.
During the launch last year, William White, Chief Marketing Officer at Walmart U.S., said: “”We’re showing up in a big way – creating community, content, entertainment and games through the launch of Walmart Land and Walmart’s Universe of Play.”
“Roblox is one of the fastest growing and largest platforms in the metaverse, and we know our customers are spending loads of time there. So, we’re focusing on creating new and innovative experiences that excite them, something we’re already doing in the communities where they live, and now, the virtual worlds where they play.”
File under ‘interesting failures’, then.
Dutch startup Bringly bags €1.5 million investment for sustainable online shipping platform
Bringly has completed a €1.5 million funding round involving new backers Eyos Capital, the Polish SpeedUp Energy Innovation and existing investors Shamrock Ventures, Ponooc and various angels.
The Dutch startup, which lays claim to two previous (undisclosed) rounds, will use the cash to expand its sustainable online shipping platform and network of carriers in Europe, add to its team and develop its software and algorithms.
Its technology makes it possible for e-commerce players to split the entire delivery process from different stock locations on the basis of different carriers.
The firm’s algorithm monitors the available capacities and performance of connected carriers and couriers in real-time. It then provides insights into the associated CO2 reduction in both the check-out of the web store and weekly reports.
Grocery giant Asda teams up with Infobip to become largest RCS traffic sender in the UK
Infobip has announced a partnership with Asda to launch what is pitched as the largest Rich Communication Services (RCS) business messaging traffic in the UK.
The initiative will help to support messaging across the online customer journey, including order confirmation, delivery times and substitutions.
The roll-out has made Asda the first major UK grocer to launch RCS business messaging in the UK.
This brings a mobile app’s functionality into the messaging platform. It will enable Asda to deal with its customers via native messages apps, with no additional installation or downloading. The messages showcase its logo, brand name, and links.
Getir claims Europe’s largest store network for ultrafast grocery delivery following Gorillas deal
Getir, which operates in nine countries, has launched what is pitched as Europe’s biggest store network for ultrafast grocery delivery.
The combined Getir and Gorillas’ offering will serve customers in Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and the US.
It is the result of an integration process between the two companies that started with the acquisition of Gorillas by Getir at the end of 2022.
“Since the acquisition, we have had one clear goal in mind: Getir and Gorillas - stronger and better together,” says Turancan Salur, Regional General Manager at Getir.
“This announcement exemplifies how leveraging the synergies of both organisations can lead to not just the biggest and most efficient store network for ultrafast grocery delivery, but also one that will significantly increase the product range and service quality for our customers.”
“It is also a testament to the great work of our team, who have been able to achieve this milestone in just a few months time.”
Continue reading…