A checkout-free stores first in London: RTIH presents its 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 Ocado Solutions, Scurri, Beauty Pie, Marks and Spencer, Amazon, ExCel London, Wow Bao, Zippin, and Dayrize.
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.”
Online fashion retailer Asos goes live with first ever rental edit on Hirestreet in the UK
Fast fashion big hitter, Asos, has launched its first ever rental edit in partnership with UK rental marketplace Hirestreet.
Available from this week, the collection includes over 180 styles focused on women’s occasionwear dressing, with the wedding season firmly in mind.
Selected from Asos’ homegrown brands Asos Design, Edition and Luxe, these feature wedding guest outfits, bridal looks and bridesmaid dresses and includes curve, petite and tall sizing options.
With RRPs ranging up to £275, individual items can be hired for 4-, 10- and 30-day periods. Prices start from £20, and customers can also take advantage of Hirestreet’s 2-for-£35 offer.
Scurri teams with Beauty Pie on deliveries to improve speed and reduce cost of fulfilment
Luxury beauty buyers’ club, Beauty Pie, says that it has improved delivery lead times, taken control of costs, and increased its choice of carrier services in partnership with Scurri.
Generative AI and augmented reality loom large as Marks and Spencer hosts seventh hackathon
Marks and Spencer hosted its seventh hackathon event last week, with generative AI playing a key role.
In a LinkedIn post, Jeremy Pee, Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Marks and Spencer, said: “Yesterday (18th May) we witnessed an incredible display of innovation, collaboration, and sheer talent as we hosted our 7th Hackathon.”
“With over 200 participants and 16 teams across all areas of M&S, it was a remarkable event that was high energy and truly inspiring!”
He added: “Congratulations to all the teams who participated and pushed the boundaries of creativity.”
“We were blown away by the abundance of groundbreaking from automation and chatbots to augmented reality and generative AI, the range of projects showcased the depth of talent within our team.”
Pee gave a special shout-out to Team Magrathea, who “wowed us with their innovative approach to generative AI, focusing on recommending outfits through chat and enhancing access to our company's treasure trove of data through conversation. Well done, Team Magrathea!”
ExCeL London becomes first event space in UK to adopt Amazon Just Walk Out technology
This week sees the launch of Market Express at London ExCeL, pitched as the first checkout-free store within an events space in the UK.
ExCel worked with catering partner, Levy UK + Ireland, on the store, which is powered by Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology.
Visitors tap their payment card or mobile wallet upon entry and then said tech detects what is picked up from or returned to its shelves.
When they are finished, they are able to leave the store and their payment method will be charged for their items.
Developed for ExCeL by Levy UK+I’s service solution – BUILT by Levy – the Market Express retail offer includes hot beverages, grab-n-go hot meals, sweet and savoury bakery items, salads, sandwiches, soft drinks and fruit juices.
A snack range including fruit, granola bars, cereals and biscuits are also available, along with essential convenience items from medical supplies and toiletries to reading glasses and umbrellas.
Patchworks announces Stockr stock management tech implementation for UK athleisure brand AYBL
UK-based women’s gym wear brand, AYBL, has integrated Patchwork’s Stockr solution across multiple Shopify stores and says that, as a result, it has generated 100% order accuracy, saved time, money, and boosted customer loyalty.
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 November 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 November.
Gresham House Ventures invests £3.5m into sustainability impact software startup Dayrize
Gresham House Ventures has completed a £3.5 million investment into product sustainability impact software business Dayrize.
Founded in the Netherlands in 2020, with offices in Amsterdam and London, Dayrize has developed a rapid sustainability impact assessment tool that delivers product level insights for consumer goods brands and retailers.
The cash will be used to strengthen its capacity for serving its customer base and bolster its sales and customer success teams internationally, with a particular focus on North America.
It will also enable the company to take further advantage of the move towards greater environmental and social impact transparency in the face of shifting regulatory and consumer demands.
Alongside the investment, Gresham House Ventures has worked with Dayrize on the appointment of Andrew Anderson as Chair.
Anderson brings significant experience of founding and scaling software businesses and working with first time founder teams, and will help to guide Dayrize’s commercial strategy.
Wow Bao steps up Web3 push and boosts rewards programme with launch of digital CollectaBaos
Wow Bao, a fast casual Asian brand, has announced the expansion of its Web3 strategy, launching digital CollectaBaos to sit alongside its points-based Bao Bucks loyalty programme.
“We have always been a pioneer in enhancing the dining experience with technology, forging a path for today’s innovations to become mainstream, " says Geoff Alexander, President and CEO at Wow Bao.
“By creating a digital collectible club, Wow Bao is levelling up the everyday loyalty programme, and welcoming all diners to the future.”
Restaurant365 secures $135 million funding round and preps restaurant software suite enhancements
Restaurant enterprise management software firm, Restaurant365, has announced a $135 million funding round co-led by KKR and L Catterton with participation from current investors, including ICONIQ Growth and Bessemer Venture Partners.
Restaurant365’s software suite brings key accounting, operational, and payroll-based processes together into a single, cloud-based technology.
Proceeds from the round will be invested into product enhancements.
“R365 has achieved continuous, accelerated growth, which is a testament to our strong team who is eager to change the restaurant industry for the better,” says Tony Smith, CEO and Co-Founder at Restaurant365.
“Anytime we receive funding, we recognise it as a privilege. However, the primary driver of this round is uniting with two strategic investors so intimately tied to the restaurant industry. Having recently crossed exciting milestones of $100 million in revenue and $1 billion in value, we can’t wait for what’s next.”
Robots hit Wakefield as Starship Technologies and Co-op expand grocery delivery service in Yorkshire
Robots are rolling out in Wakefield, Yorkshire, as a partnership between Starship Technologies, Co-op and Wakefield Council brings autonomous grocery deliveries to local residents.
The service will initially be available to 13,000 residents across 6,500+ households, with orders made through the Starship food delivery app, which is available for download on iOS and Android.
Groceries will be picked from the local Co-op store on Meadow Vale, Outwood, and delivered from store to door in minutes. The launch follows recent roll-outs in areas of Leeds and Greater Manchester.
Starship’s robots are also in operation in several other locations across the UK, including Milton Keynes; Northampton, Bedford; Cambourne and Cambridge.
Artificial intelligence powered checkout-free technology firm Zippin hits two million shoppers milestone
Checkout-free stores specialist Zippin reached a milestone this past weekend - serving two million shoppers.
A company spokesperson said: “Just seven months ago, we proudly announced our one millionth shopper. Today with two million, Zippin is a clear leader in checkout-free. No other provider has seen as nearly as many customers, making our AI the most mature.”
Including Everseen and Dayrize: Seven retail technology funding rounds you need to know about
RTIH rounds up seven retail systems ventures who have recently wrapped notable funding rounds, including Sticky, Sook, Restaurant 265, and Nuvei.
Check out our LinkedIn page here.
Continue reading…