Starring EE and Secret Sales: 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 J.Crew, Obsess, Secret Sales, bp, InPost UK, adidas Originals, and Merlin Entertainments.
1. J.Crew teams with Obsess for immersive virtual experience celebrating 40th anniversary
J.Crew has announced the launch of an immersive virtual store powered by experiential e-commerce platform Obsess.
The 3D, shoppable experience celebrates the company’s 40th anniversary and takes the form of a beach house that features six rooms and a separate boathouse.
The J.Crew Virtual Beach House also offers interactive content highlighting the brand’s heritage, along with gamified elements and checkout.
“We are excited to celebrate J.Crew’s 40th anniversary with the launch of the J.Crew Virtual Beach House in partnership with Obsess,” says Derek Yarbrough, Chief Marketing Officer of J.Crew and Madewell.
“This immersive experience brings our past and present together, giving our customers a virtual passport to explore the world of J.Crew, while shopping a curated edit of summer styles in an innovative digital format.”
2. UK mobile network giant EE seeks to reinvent retail with new Studio store launch at Westfield London
EE has opened a new flagship store, The EE Studio, located in Westfield London, White City.
Focused on connectivity and technology solutions, the 4,230-square-foot location will also serve as a hub for the local community to work, learn and play.
The launch forms part of EE’s new strategy, which, the company says, “seeks to reinvent the role of retail in the telco industry, putting innovation, personal experience, and community front and centre”.
3. Secret Sales appoints industry veteran Leon Shepherd as new Chief Technology Officer
Secret Sales, a non-full price marketplace for fashion, sportswear and beauty brands, has appointed Leon Shepherd as its new Chief Technology Officer.
Shepherd – whose resumé includes stints at the likes of Jack Wills, Fat Face, Marks & Spencer, and over nine years at Vodafone leading mobile technology engineering – joins from Ted Baker, where he was Chief Information Officer and Digital Strategy Director.
In his new role as CTO at Secret Sales, Shepherd will be responsible for advancing the company’s use of technology, including making the most of its dynamic forecasting tools which help brands accelerate the sales and margins from their seasonal surplus stock.
He will also lead the implementation of the venture’s new website, using Progressive Web App (PWA) technologies.
4. bp preps InPost automated parcel lockers roll-out across its UK service stations
Automated parcel machine (APM) service provider, InPost, reports that, after a trial, its lockers will be rolled out at approximately 300 bp service stations across the UK.
Prominent locations include Wandsworth, Glasgow, Ashford and Brentwood.
As a result, consumers will be able to collect a delivery whilst filling up with fuel, or return a parcel when picking up something for dinner at a forecourt M&S Food store.
As part of the trial thousands of parcels have been processed across five locations.
5. adidas Originals and Web3 artist FEWOCiOUS collaborate on physical and digital product drops
adidas Originals has teamed up with 20-year-old Web3 artist, Victor Langlois, aka FEWOCiOUS, to offer a range of physical and digital product drops.
First appearing in an official capacity with adidas /// Studio (Three Stripes Studio) for an installation during Art Basel Miami in December 2022, FEWOCiOUS says that he has long had an affinity for the brand, using adidas silhouettes as an artistic canvas when he was 16 years old.
Ushering in a collaborative partnership, adidas Originals and FEWOCiOUS have come together to launch a limited edition, product linked Trefoil Flower Mint Pass.
Launching on 22nd June, it will also unlock the opportunity for NFT holders to redeem a complimentary artist designed Campus 00’s sneaker.
6. Merlin Entertainments brings in Sarah Venning as Chief Digital and Data Officer
Merlin Entertainments, Europe’s largest and the world's second largest visitor attraction operator, has appointed Sarah Venning as Chief Digital and Data officer for the Group.
Venning is currently Global Digital Officer at Pret A Manger, and previously held senior roles at the John Lewis Partnership and Heathrow Airport.
Scott O’Neil, Chief Executive Officer at Merlin Entertainments, says: “As Merlin Entertainments begins its next phase of growth across our LEGOLAND Resorts, Resort Theme Parks and Midway attractions around the world, we recognised we needed to add talent that maps to our ambitions.”
“Sarah Venning is the type of extraordinary executive who will lead us there. Innovation, creativity, passion, and the discipline to do the heavy lifting are all hallmarks of this company, and a perfect fit for a leader like Sarah.”
“Her experience in driving change, attracting talent, building teams and transforming companies will set Merlin on the next step of our trajectory, as our guests look for us to continue to be ahead of the curve on our innovative digital journey.”
“Across all of our 140+ attractions, our focus will be on working with the most exciting brands and IP, delivering the best customer service, and all whilst providing guests with a truly personalised digital experience they have come to expect.”
7. Astra Tech taps AiFi AI tech as it opens first autonomous B Store at Abu Dhabi’s Sky Tower
Astra Tech, a UAE-based technology investment and development group, has launched its first fully autonomous store in Abu Dhabi’s Sky Tower.
Powered by AiFI computer vision technology, B Store also enables shoppers to pay for their purchases by using their faces.
Astra Tech acquired UAE FinTech PayBy last year, and this location uses the firm’s FacePay PoS technology for biometric payment authentication.
Upon approaching the entry gates, the customer is greeted with an ELO screen displaying a message, "Tap or Scan to Enter." They have the option to pay using the PoS machine by tapping their card or utilising FacePay.
The ELO screen will then initiate a question about their receipt. When selecting their preferred option, the gates open, granting access to the store..
Inside the store, customers can comfortably choose their items. Upon leaving, they receive a text message on the provided phone number, expressing gratitude for their trip and informing them that their receipt is being processed.
A subsequent message contains a hyperlink, allowing customers to click and view their receipt.
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