Featuring Xiatech and OneStock: 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 Yoobic, GoWit, Salesforce, Checkpoint Systems, AiFi, Ocado Solutions, and Retail247.
‘The power of collaboration and dedication’: Rituals goes live with Yoobic tech for 10,000 employees in European stores
Rituals has rolled out Yoobic’s mobile platform for frontline employees across its European stores.
In a LinkedIn post, Esther van Tienen, Sr. Manager Communications Retail at Rituals, said: “Today we go live with the app for all 10,000 employees in the stores in Europe. An app that supports them in their work and facilitates communication.”
“Super proud of my team and all the people who contributed to this. Without this integrated approach we would not be where we are today. Thank you Rituals for the opportunity to contribute to this great project and the journey together to reach this milestone. Let’s find out the next days how the app lands!”
AdTech startup GoWit raises $1 million and preps global expansion and product development
GoWit, a startup focused on omnichannel retail media advertising solutions, has secured an $1 million investment in its first financing round.
Leading this are Esas Ventures, Alarko Ventures, APY Ventures and Mindvest GSYF (Venture Capital Investment Fund).
Following on from the launch of its latest SaaS product GoWit RMA (Retail Media Ads), the cash will allow the company to begin expanding globally, invest in product development and grow its team.
Including AiFi, Cust2Mate, and TalkShopLive: June’s biggest retail technology plays at a glance
RTIH rounds up the stand out retail tech deals, deployments and pilots from June, including Auchan Retail Poland, Carrefour, Crocs, Asda, 7-Eleven, Poundland, Walmart, and Domino’s Pizza.
John Lewis Partnership taps Salesforce tech for more personalised, convenient, seamless customer experience
The John Lewis Partnership, parent company of UK retailers John Lewis and Waitrose, is using Salesforce technology as it looks to transform its customer experience and self-service data culture.
Service Cloud is helping John Lewis support customers throughout their online and in-store journey, saving an average of £1 million in the company’s call centre annually.
Einstein bots provide answers via its website and WhatsApp. Virtual Remote Assistant delivers video communication between customers and agents.
With Tableau Professional Services, John Lewis’s new self-service platform gives 10,000 Partners a real-time view of sales and inventory data.
With Marketing Cloud, the company has improved its marketing efficiency and engagement through automation, leading to 75% faster production time.
Ocado Group announces appointment of Gregor Ulitzka as President, Europe, Ocado Solutions
Ocado Group has appointed Gregor Ulitzka as its first President, Europe for Ocado Solutions.
He will lead the firm’s operations across the region, growing relationships with current partners and bringing new retailers to the Ocado Smart Platform (OSP).
Ulitzka joins Ocado from Amazon, where he worked for over 10 years, most recently as Director of Supply Chain and Inventory Management for Europe.
In that role, he was responsible for leading global supply chain, product management and business development teams. Previously he spent 13 years at the German grocer Metro in European management roles.
PMC announced as Champagne Bar and BIG Retail Party sponsor at Retail Technology Show 2024
Retail Technology Show returns to London’s Olympia on 24th-25th April 2024, with PMC sponsoring the Champagne Bar and BIG Retail Party next year.
Taking centre stage at the event aimed at retailers and tech innovators, the Champagne Bar is a popular congregation point for networking and ideas sharing.
At the end of day one, there will be an all drinks on the house BIG Retail Party and the announcement of the winners of the Retail Technology Show Innovation Awards.
Xiatech and OneStock team up to launch survey quantifying the business value of MACH technologies
Xiatech, developer of machine learning powered composable hyper-integration platform, Xfuze, and distributed order management specialists, OneStock. have launched what is pitched as the world’s most comprehensive end user survey that will quantify the business value of composability and, specifically, MACH technologies.
Supported by Adyen, Bloomreach, commercetools, Mercaux and the MACH Alliance, insight from the survey will enable organisations to benchmark the success of their business technology implementations using microservices-based, API first, cloud native software-as-a-service and headless (MACH) technologies.
McDonald’s France teams with Checkpoint Systems to incorporate RFID tech into its new reusable containers
Checkpoint Systems is working with McDonald’s France to incorporate RFID technology into the fast food giant’s new reusable containers.
The move comes following McDonald’s commitment to eliminating unnecessary packaging and contributing to the improvement of recycling systems.
It also coincides with the introduction of new French legislation – that came into effect in January 2023 – and aims to fight waste to preserve biodiversity and natural resources.
Following a two-year consultation process, Checkpoint was appointed to work with McDonald’s France in 2021 to deliver the project which involved the installation of RFID hardware and software in restaurants across the country.
The project will help the company reduce waste by providing real-time visibility of its reusable tableware stock, with the aim of delivering fast and efficient inventory management, optimising replenishment and ensuring stock lines are protected for long-term security and usability.
Retail247 secures £500,000 investment from Midlands Engine Investment Fund to meet increased demand
Retail technology consultancy and software developer, Retail247, has secured a £500,000 investment from the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF), provided by
The FSE Group Debt Finance Fund and backed by the Recovery Loan Scheme.
The firm has developed a suite of proprietary cloud-based solutions for its customers, who include Reiss, Crew Clothing, AllSaints, and LK Bennett.
The funding will be used to expand its tech team and enable further product development to meet increased demand.
Martin Schofield, Retail247 CEO and Co-Founder, says: “As Origin and Quantum are successfully rolled out to more retailers, we are seeing a significant uptick in interest for our innovative solutions and funding is needed to support ongoing development activity and recruit new staff to grow the business.”
“To date, we have self-invested in the development of our technology. We have been successful not only with the development, but also in achieving market entry. Now we need to scale, and we are delighted that FSE is able to provide the MEIF loan to support this stage of our growth.”
Deutsche Bahn opens checkout-free store at railway station in Berlin, powered by AiFi technology
AiFi has announced the opening of its newest autonomous store within Berlin's Ostbahnhof Deutsche Bahn railway station.
The 24/7 ServiceStore is run by DB Station&Service, operated by SSP Deutschland.
While US-based AiFi has increased its European presence over the past four years, this newest location in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, Berlin, is the first one for public customers to launch in Germany.
"Our technology has been helping consumers avoid long queues and reclaim that critical time amid their travels, so that they can move through their days more swiftly and focus their time and attention on things that matter most," says Sander Garnier, New Business and Account Manager, Europe at AiFi.
"We are proud to partner with Deutsche Bahn to bring frictionless technology to shoppers and commuters in Berlin's Ostbahnhof railway station."
Including Retail247 and GoWit: Six retail technology funding rounds you need to know about
RTIH rounds up six retail tech ventures who have recently secured significant investments in their businesses, including Gr4vy, Refined Networks, and Vok Bikes.
The MACH Alliance announces executive board changes and flags growth in North America
The MACH Alliance, a group of companies focused on advocating for open, best-of-breed technology ecosystems, has announced changes to its executive board and leadership team.
Board elections take place every year with each term lasting two years. Executive board members are permitted to serve a maximum of two terms.
The MACH Alliance says that the new board fulfils its commitment to ensuring diverse representation across member categories, geographies, genders, and areas of expertise.
There are now more North American representatives than European, reflecting what the group labels the accelerating adoption of MACH (Microservices, API-First, Cloud-Native SaaS, Headless) in North American markets.
Additionally, there has been a transition from a primarily technology focus to having more emphasis on business, marketing, and strategy.
The board comprises representatives from ISV, SI, and Enabler members, with an almost equal split between female and male members.
Gather AI snaps up Ware and lays claim to world’s largest autonomous inventory management platform
Gather AI, a provider of AI powered autonomous inventory management solutions for warehouses using commodity hardware, is acquiring the business of rival firm Ware.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
With the acquisition, Gather AI says that it is now the market leader in the space with 25 customers, more than any other autonomous inventory management company.
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