Starring Zippin, Evri, and Diageo: Check out last week’s most read RTIH retail technology articles
These are the RTIH articles that caught your fancy last week, including Marks and Spencer, Ocado Solutions, Amazon, Asos, Hirestreet, Klarna, SAP, and IBM Consulting.
Diageo partners with SAP and IBM Consulting for five-year global digital transformation programme
Diageo, the maker of Guinness, Smirnoff and Johnnie Walker, has announced a five-year business transformation programme in partnership with SAP and IBM.
Pitched as the company’s most significant ever investment in technology and services, the aim is to redesign and improve Diageo’s processes across the 180 countries where it operates.
It involves a move to RISE with SAP S/4 HANA Cloud, with the support of IBM Consulting.
Artificial intelligence powered checkout-free technology firm Zippin hits two million shoppers milestone
Checkout-free stores specialist Zippin reached a milestone last 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.”
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.
Evri bags Seller Fulfilled Prime carrier status for Amazon Prime online deliveries
Amazon has made Evri an accredited Seller Fulfilled Prime carrier for its Prime service to deliver parcels on behalf of merchants on the e-commerce giant’s website.
Evri, formerly Hermes, received accreditation by completing a six-week trial, during which the firm says it “consistently met or surpassed Amazon’s requirement to successfully deliver parcels to stringent standards”.
A key requirement of the trial was that it could collect the parcels after 4.30pm from Monday to Friday and after 12.30pm on Saturday from the merchants within the UK, to then deliver to recipients the next day, anywhere in the country.
Evri already delivers to individual consumers on Amazon and this new collaboration will allow about 85,000 UK SMEs on the Amazon store to select it as their delivery provider across Prime and non-Prime orders.
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!”
‘Life is short’: Klarna UK boss Alex Marsh departs buy now pay later firm following family tragedy
Klarna’s UK boss Alex Marsh has left the company.
Marsh, who joined the Swedish buy now pay later big hitter in 2018, said in a LinkedIn post, dated 19th May: “After an amazing rollercoaster journey over the past five years this week marks my last at Klarna.”
“I could never have guessed those first meetings with Michael Rouse (former Group Chief Revenue/Commercial Officer) and Luke Griffiths (Global Chief Commercial Officer) back in the summer of 2018 discussing the possible acquisition of Close Brothers Retail Finance by Klarna could have led to so much.”
He added: “Being part of a very special UK team growing our consumer base from 1.5 million to a staggering +18 million - plus countless learning opportunities (the terror of live TV at the crack of dawn), unique experiences, I couldn’t have dreamed of (meetings at Downing Street and on Capitol Hill), and of course working with so many incredible people. I can honestly say this time at Klarna has been nothing short of phenomenal.”
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.”
ExCeL London becomes first event space in UK to adopt Amazon Just Walk Out technology
Last week saw 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.
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.
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.
The beautiful game: RTIH presents last week’s biggest retail technology plays at a glance
RTIH rounds up the stand out retail systems deals, launches, deployments and pilots from the past seven days. Including H&M, A.S. Watson Group, FC Bayern, Kraft Heinz Company, Costa Coffee, Woolworths, Amazon, and Casey’s General Stores.
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