Starring Emperia, Recite Me, and Chargebacks911: RTIH’s 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 M&S, Tesco, Wilko, Walmart, OnBuy, Apple, Amazon, and Poundland.
Too much retail automation too soon? Examining the recent customer backlashes against M&S and Tesco
RTIH Editor Scott Thompson asks: Is the constant drive by retailers to innovate via technology deployments really delivering what their customers want and need?
UK retailer Wilko taps Virtualstock platform to reduce ‘where is my order?’ calls to its contact centre
As part of its digital acceleration strategy, Wilko has gone live on Virtualstock’s marketplace and drop ship platform.
“We’re delighted with what we’ve been able to achieve with Virtualstock,” says Ben Exall, Digital Director at Wilko, a British high street chain which sells homewares and household goods.
“We know this will result in a reduction in ‘where is my order?’ calls to the contact centre through improved clarity of the orders on their journey to the customer. We can now also better track stock levels with greater visibility in the platform.”
Walmart incubator arm Store No8 and Outlier Ventures target startups focused on building in Web3
Store No8, Walmart’s incubation arm, and Outlier Ventures, a Web3 investor, have announced the launch of the Store No8 dCommerce Base Camp accelerator programme.
Applications open this week, and the 12-week initiative will begin in mid-August.
The aim is to help a select cohort of startups focused on building in Web3 to deliver solutions that improve the global retail and commerce experience.
The chosen teams will focus on building across areas that include decentralised infrastructure, data and growth solutions, immersive experiences and the metaverse, and the intersection of AI and blockchain technology.
The programme will provide funding to each of the selected founders, as well as access to subject matter expertise and mentorship across Outlier Ventures and Store Nº8’s team and network.
UK regulator Financial Conduct Authority grants agent EMI licence to FinTech PayFuture
British FinTech firm PayFuture has been granted an agent Electronic Money Institution (EMI) licence by UK regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
The company says that, as a result of this, it is poised to deliver “a comprehensive suite of localised payment products and methods, designed to offer convenience and efficiency in an increasingly digital world.”
“Our advanced technology platform, combined with its deep understanding of an online merchant’s needs, will enable businesses to access untapped markets effortlessly”.
The agent EMI licence positions PayFuture to issue electronic money, facilitate digital payments, money disbursements and offer a range of other payment services.
Founded in 2019, it now offers local payment services in over 40 countries and has helped hundreds of businesses around the world process over $2 billion of transactions.
Businesses use PayFuture's proprietary system "Emerging Market Entry Methodology'' (EM2) to accept and disperse payments in emerging markets.
OnBuy boss Cas Paton discusses annus horribilis and big e-commerce calls during tough times
Cas Paton, Founder and CEO at UK-based online marketplace OnBuy, has taken to social media to discuss tough times and a startup’s path to profitability.
Emperia - new Apple mixed reality headset Vision Pro ‘entails a new mode of brand interaction’
Apple this week unveiled a mixed reality headset called Vision Pro - its first entirely new product in eight years.
The device blends a video feed from the outside world with a virtual world displayed on screens inside the headset.
“Today marks the beginning of a new era for computing,” says Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “Just as the Mac introduced us to personal computing, and iPhone introduced us to mobile computing, Apple Vision Pro introduces us to spatial computing.”
“Built upon decades of Apple innovation, Vision Pro is years ahead and unlike anything created before - with a revolutionary new input system and thousands of groundbreaking innovations. It unlocks incredible experiences for our users and exciting new opportunities for our developers.”
As a specialist in the field of virtual stores and immersive e-commerce, Emperia views this new announcement as a massive step into mass adoption of such technology, with tangible benefits for brands.
“Apple has always been a trailblazer for mass adoption with their emerging and brand new tech, take the iPhone for example. Vision Pro could be the catalyst for the mass adoption of XR”, says Olga Dogadkina, Co-founder and CEO at Emperia,
“in creating the new device, Apple is bringing a utility to XR beyond gaming. For the first time, XR headset has more actual functionality than other devices in the market, offering capabilities for work and entertainment.”
“Coupled with human interaction and a design that has all chances of gaining iconic status like most Apple products, the device will almost inevitably gain popularity. This means web UX/UI as we know it will become obsolete, limited by the 2D screen.”
She adds: “For retail, this entails a new mode of brand interaction, one that goes beyond the boundaries of a flat screen and physical space simultaneously. This means deeper customer connection, more intuitive user interactions, more personalisation of customer experience than was ever achievable before.”
Delivery management platform Scurri announces expansion of its team in United Kingdom
Delivery management specialist, Scurri, whose retail and brand partners include Vision Direct, Biscuiteers and Natural Baby Shower, has announced two new appointments as it scales growth in the United Kingdom.
Following its launch in 2010, Scurri has grown to a business that processed over €10 billion worth of global shipments in 2022, with €15.3 million investment raised to date from private angel investors, institutional VC investors and the Irish government development fund, Enterprise Ireland.
The new hires underpin a continued focus on investment and expansion in the United Kingdom, where Scurri currently derives over 60% of its revenue working with 1,000+ carrier services to provide 97% carrier coverage across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
There has also been European growth with success in Germany and plans to expand further in the region with a push into the Nordics.
Payments veterans Guy Harris and Eric M. Hoffman join chargeback management technology firm Chargebacks911
Chargebacks911 has announced the appointment of Guy Harris as its Chairman of the board, and Eric M. Hoffman as President of Interbank Solutions and board member.
Monica Eaton, CEO and Founder at Chargebacks911, comments: “I couldn't be more excited to bring onboard Guy Harris and Eric Hoffman. It is rare to find two financial powerhouses with such acumen, leadership, talent and unparalleled success; and with such diverse backgrounds.”
“We have approached an era that is transforming at an unprecedented rate, both in terms of technology and as an industry. To continue to remain a market leader requires grit, diversity, and contagious passion. Guy and Eric deliver on all three, bringing unmatched expertise to this new era as we propel our award winning platform, to continue our mission.”
Eaton added: “As Chairman, Guy will help steer our strategic vision and global expansion efforts, and Eric is set to make his mark across the business with his hands-on experience and go-to-market prowess. I look forward to this next phase in our journey as we continue to challenge the status quo."
Poundland taps Recite Me tech to support support job applicants with disabilities online
Poundland has launched a suite of digital accessibility tools to support job applicants and workers with disabilities online.
The Recite Me toolbar on the Poundland Careers website removes obstacles for those with disabilities, visual impairments, learning difficulties, and the population of an older age.
Carina Mardenborough, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing Manager at Poundland, comments: “As a responsible employer, it is important we provide opportunities for our colleagues to throve and be the best version of themselves.”
“We aim to provide our colleagues with essential tools to aid with a useful online and mobile experience; Recite Me works across all devices, allowing everyone to use the internet in the way that suits their needs.”
E-commerce integration platform as a service firm Patchworks joins the MACH Alliance
E-commerce integration platform as a service (iPaaS), Patchworks, has joined the MACH Alliance as an ISV (independent software vendor) member.
Jim Herbert, CEO at Patchworks, says: “Joining the MACH Alliance underscores our product’s alignment with the core principles of modern architecture and solidifies our position as the perfect choice for businesses seeking a best-of-breed composable integration platform.”
“We firmly believe that by embracing MACH principles, businesses can unlock the full potential of digital transformation, ensuring they stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape. Using Patchworks, they can accelerate, streamline and grow their retail operations.”
Alexandros Sophocleous joins Just Walk Out by Amazon as Principal Tech Business Developer
Alexandros Sophocleous has taken on the role of Principal Tech Business Developer at Just Walk Out by Amazon.
He joins from checkout free stores startup AiFi, where he spent just over two years, first as Head of Marketing & Strategic Partnerships, and then as VP Business Development & Marketing.
In a LinkedIn post, he said: “Exciting update! Since the start of my career, I’ve always been passionate about retail with the last few years focused on autonomous solutions revolutionising how we shop. Today, I’m thrilled to share that earlier this month I joined the Just Walk Out Technology team at Amazon.”
Sophocleous added: I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to continue my journey in autonomous retail with such an innovative and star studded group of builders.”
“Amazon is an industry pioneer and constantly pushes the status quo from upholding the highest customer standards to cutting-edge computer vision stores. I hope to add to this builder culture in my role as Principal Tech Business Developer. More to come soon!”
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