Have cash, will grumble: 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 eBay, Amazon, Six Flags, SADA, Frasers Group, Lidl, M&S, and Auctane.
For richer or poorer: eBay launches 'sustainable and cost-effective' pre-loved wedding hub
eBay has launched a pre-loved wedding hub - a collection of second-hand bridal and bridesmaid dresses, accessories and vintage suits.
The e-commerce giant says that it is offering a sustainable and cost-effective option for shoppers to get designer outfits from the likes of Vera Wang, Suzanne Neville, and Pronovias Mildred.
Kirsty Keoghan, Global GM of Fashion at eBay, says: “As we approach peak wedding season, we hope our new wedding hub gives brides to be the option to get their dream wedding outfit, for a fraction of the price.”
“We’re seeing more modern brides looking for wedding outfits that reflect their personality, and by choosing pre-loved, you really can find those unique options, while increasing the lifespan of these amazing dresses - which are often only worn once.”
“With such a broad range of designer options available, there really is an outfit for everyone to dazzle in on their big day and options to suit all budgets, without compromising on style.”
Six Flags preps first amusement park micro market launch featuring Amazon Just Walk Out technology
Six Flags is set to become the first theme park operator to pilot Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology, with the aim of reducing wait times for customers wanting to purchase food and drinks.
It will soft launch the tech at its theme park in New Jersey on 1st June. A similar roll-out is planned later this year for the Six Flags Magic Mountain location in Los Angeles.
Visitors will be able to peruse the store, place items in their virtual cart and then leave when they’re done, with their selections automatically charged to the payment method used to gain entry.
SADA to develop new data platform on Google Cloud for UK retailer Frasers Group
SADA has announced a new services engagement with Frasers Group, a retail conglomerate based in the UK.
This will see it develop and implement a new platform to help Frasers Group scale data visibility and reporting across its retailers, which includes Sports Direct.
“We selected Google Cloud because we were facing a data challenge – we knew we needed to play catch up in the data space, and that shifting to the cloud from an on-prem environment would be necessary,” said Simon Palmer, CIO at Frasers Group.
“In order to fulfil our mission of becoming a global player, we needed a provider familiar with the ecosystem and capabilities to help us scale quickly and efficiently. We knew that SADA would fit the bill.”
E-commerce shipping specialist Auctane announces appointment of Albert Ko as CEO
Auctane, a delivery experience company that operates brands such as Metapack, ShipStation, Packlink, ShipEngine, Stamps.com, ShippingEasy, ShipWorks and Endicia, has appointed Albert Ko as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 12th June.
He succeeds Nathan Jones and will join the company’s Board of Directors.
Ko was previously at Early Warning Services (EWS), best known for the Zelle payments network, where he also served as CEO.
Creating a seamless customer experience: Bensons for Beds taps Emplifi live shopping technology
Bensons for Beds is using Emplifi Live Advisor solution to deliver live shopping and support to customers.
It’s now possible to connect to in-store experts for real-time tours, product demonstrations, and purchases. By visiting the store’s website, customers can activate a live one-to-one video call.
Lidl signs up with Miconex technology powered Scotland Loves Local Gift Card programme
Lidl has joined the Scotland Loves Local Gift Card scheme.
The retailer’s 111 Scottish stores are now accepting the regional card, which can be swiped at the till like a debit card, with the balance automatically updated after each purchase.
Over 6,500 businesses, spanning retail, hospitality, accommodation, health and beauty, leisure and attractions and services, are currently part of the programme, including national household names and independent businesses.
Marks and Spencer blasted by elderly customers as it goes cashless in automated cafes
Marks and Spencer has come under fire from disgruntled elderly customers after closing traditional counters in eight digital cafes, including at two of the retailer’s megastores.
With orders placed via touchscreens, staff are now focused on making food and drinks rather than taking orders, with customers alerted when their order is ready.
Elderly shoppers have described the move, which ushers in cashless payments, as “abhorrent”, The Telegraph reports.
M&S is also testing out self-service belted checkouts alongside manned tills in two food halls.
These can be found at London Colney, near Watford, and White Rose Shopping Centre near Leeds - two of its largest stores which also have the digital cafes installed.
In a LinkedIn post, Ron Delnevo, Chair of the UK Cash Supply Alliance, said: “Really silly, thoughtless stuff from M&S. If you want to find out how to alienate your customers, just read and copy!”
Aldi UK teams with Polytag to gain access to real-time packaging lifecycle information
Aldi UK has partnered with recycling technology company Polytag.
It will trial the deployment of Polytag’s invisible UV tags onto its packaging, starting from July.
With the company’s unique readers installed at the Biffa Teeside recycling centre, Aldi will get insights on the quantity of its packaging that is actually recycled and be able to track an item’s journey through said process.
This previously inaccessible packaging lifecycle information will help the supermarket accurately measure and track its performance against its sustainability targets, such as halving its plastic footprint by 2025.
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 November.
Many UK consumers unlikely to buy from retailers following a negative delivery experience
New ShipEngine and ShipStation research reveals that 78% of UK consumers are not likely to shop with a brand again following a below par delivery experience.
A survey of over 3,000 consumers and 600 online merchants across UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Australia found that 71% of Brits rank ‘high shipping costs’ as the biggest barrier to becoming repeat customers.
Looking at customer loyalty drivers, the quality of delivery experience ranks as the third highest driver, with 51% of UK consumers surveyed citing it as a key reason why they regularly buy online from the same brand.
Only affordable prices and product quality rank higher for UK consumers.
Merchants agree on the importance of product quality and delivery quality as customer retention drivers, but disagree on the topic of affordability, ranking it as only their fourth most important retention driver.
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.”
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.
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.
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