Starring Ocado, Getir, and Decathlon: 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 Appliance, Polytag, Bower, Ted Baker, Ikea, and SES-imagotag.
1. Ocado Retail enlists Polytag and Bower for UK-based package recycling reward initiative
The retailer has teamed up with Polytag and Bower to deliver the initiative.
Customers can scan a QR code printed onto Ocado’s own brand two and four pint milk bottles, which have just reduced in price to £1.45 and £1.20 respectively.
The first 20,000 codes scanned will see consumers receive a 20p reward which will appear in their digital wallet in the Bower app – the same amount that will be redeemed as a deposit in the upcoming Deposit Return Scheme legislation once it is rolled out in 2025. This 20p can then be withdrawn to their bank account.
Although consumers will not redeem a deposit – as it will not be added at the point of purchase – the partnership aims to demonstrate the viability of a DDRS by enabling people to receive a cash incentive for recycling using their smartphones.
2. Amplience brings in retail technology veteran Anthony Lye as new Chief Executive Officer
AI content specialist Amplience has appointed Anthony Lye as its new Chief Executive Officer.
He says: “Customers tell us they need agile solutions that embrace AI and allow each brand to dynamically generate persuasive content and media across various channels to create seamless customer experiences.”
“Ensuring all touchpoints provide the rich and engaging shopping experiences that delights customers and delivers performance is what we will provide.”
Lye comes to Amplience from Palantir Technologies where, as Global Head, he has been responsible for expanding its Apollo service and the company’s Growth Business Unit and its artificial intelligence strategy.
Prior to that, he was Executive Vice President and General Manager at NetApp, a data storage and management company where he built the Public Cloud Business Unit.
Other roles have included Board Member at Spoken Communications, EVP and Chief Cloud Officer at Guidewire Software, and he is also an Operating Advisor at Bessemer Venture Partners and is on the board of trustees for the University of Bath in England.
3. ‘Woefully overvalued’ grocery delivery firm Getir chases hefty funding as UK departure rumours abound
Rapid grocery delivery venture, Getir, is looking to wrap up a major funding round that it hopes will kill rumours about its solvency.
According to a report by Sky News, the capital injection will be led by Mubadala, the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, although it is expected to involve a smaller sum than the $500 million reported several months ago.
The move comes amid rumours that the Turkey-based company may be about to put its British operation into administration and that it is about to pull out of the country.
4. Ikea rolls out SES-imagotag VUSION IoT cloud platform and electronic shelf labels across European stores
SES-imagotag has entered into an agreement with Ikea to deploy its VUSION IoT Cloud platform and smart electronic shelf labels.
The first part of the contract spans over 110 stores in six European countries.
The roll-out builds on a partnership forged between the two companies over the past years.
5. Decathlon launches Smartsize offering for online shoppers with solution now live in 25 countries
Decathlon has developed a Smartsize tool for use on its e-commerce website.
In a LinkedIn post, Jerome Dubreuil, Global Chief Digital Officer, Executive Team member, said: “Has this ever happened to you? You order a shirt online, and when it arrives, it fits and looks completely different on you than it did on the model pictured on the website.”
“Don't worry, you're not alone. An Ipsos survey reveals that 59% of shoppers have experienced dissatisfaction with their online purchases for this exact reason.”
He added: “Recognising the challenges faced by online shoppers, we've developed the Smartsize tool. This intuitive tool, accessible on our e-commerce website, is designed to find the perfect fit for your body type.”
“Our data shows that without the Smartsize recommendation tool, the conversion rate drops by 3.5%. Already live in 25 countries, it reduces returns and helps us cut down on our carbon footprint.”
“Moreover, with 68,600,000 measurements gathered from 11 touch points and 7,150,000 members across 71 countries, we are improving the way we create our sports gear to be closer to our customers and provide them with the right sizes.”
“Shopping online has never been easier or more environmentally friendly.”
6. Amazon One pay by palm tech to be deployed at all Whole Foods US stores by end of 2023
The Amazon One service is currently available at more than 200 Whole Foods Market locations across the country, including Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
7. Never a dull moment: Director of IT Carole Kingsbury announces departure from Ted Baker
Carole Kingsbury has departed Ted Baker, where she served as Director of IT.
She joined the company in 2019 as Head of Project Delivery, before taking on the role of Head of Business Solutions in 2020, and then Director of IT in 2022.
Ted Baker has been cutting head office jobs following its acquisition by Authentic Brands Group.
The latter outsourced Ted Baker stores and its e-commerce site to retail management business AARC in April.
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