Featuring Uncrowd, bodo, and Packfleet: 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 Marks and Spencer, Retail Assist, Huck’s, Rovertown, Quorso, and Amazon Fresh.
Currys CIO Andy Gamble joins data and insights startup Uncrowd as investor and advisor
Andy Gamble has joined Uncrowd as investor and advisor as the UK-based customer data and insights startup looks to scale and expand into the US over the next few months.
Gamble is Chief Information Officer at Currys and a non-exec board advisor at Mulberry.
He has worked in technology for 25 years with some of the world’s largest businesses, including Sony and Dyson, and provided advice to Big Data pioneer Unifi Software until its exit to Dell Boomi in 2020.
bodo teams up with Packfleet to expand carbon neutral online deliveries across London
bodo, a sustainable same-day delivery service used by UK e-commerce brands, has announced a partnership with Packfleet, an all electric courier.
bodo has a portfolio of over 50 brands, including SURI, COAT, TRIP CBD, HeyHarper, PeachyDen, and FreeSoul. It operates central London warehouses powered by solar energy and utilises eco-packaging.
The company collaborates with other sustainability driven firms, such as SURI and COAT, both B Corps, to promote ethical supply chain practices.
Packfleet, also a B Corp, operates in London with a 100% electric fleet charged by renewable energy and steered by routing technology.
It is now facilitating deliveries for bodo customers within the M25.
Seamless omnichannel journeys: Janie and Jack rolls out PredictSpring Modern PoS solution across US stores
Children’s fashion brand Janie and Jack has integrated PredictSpring’s Modern PoS solution into 106 of its stores across the US.
“We are a design house with every kid at its heart, and we are thrilled to continue meeting the needs of our customers through the integration of PredictSpring's Modern PoS system,” says Mo Beig, Executive Vice President and CFO at Janie and Jack.
“The transition from our legacy PoS system to PredictSpring’s Modern PoS has revolutionised our ability to provide highly personalised, fast, and seamless omnichannel journeys to our valued customers.”
EE brings tech to life via new Experience store at Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent
EE has opened a new Experience store in Kent’s Bluewater Shopping Centre.
The second of the company’s new concept stores showcases various experience zones and room sets, with each area curated to give shoppers a taste of future living and demonstrate how cutting-edge technology and connectivity can enhance their everyday lives.
The store, which is moving from EE’s existing space on the ground floor of Bluewater, is located on the first floor and combines two existing units to create what is pitched as “an open and dynamic tech filled space”.
Anthony Nicholas Group taps Proximity clienteling solution for Fraser Hart and Fields the Jewellers brands
The Anthony Nicholas Group (ANG) has chosen Proximity to deliver a clienteling solution, with the aim of strengthening and transforming customer engagement for its brands Fraser Hart and Fields the Jewellers.
“We are honoured to have been chosen as the preferred partner for Fraser Hart and Fields the Jeweller,” says Cathy McCabe, CEO at Proximity.
“This partnership underpins our dedication to redefining customer engagement through digital innovation. We look forward to working closely with these iconic brands to create memorable shopping experiences for their customers.”
Marks and Spencer Chief Digital and Technology Officer Jeremy Pee set to exit
Jeremy Pee is set to depart M&S just months after assuming an expanded position with the UK retailer.
Pee was hired in 2018 from Canadian supermarket chain Loblaw.
He took on the role of Chief Digital and Technology Officer earlier this year.
He was previously Chief Digital and Data Officer, and held that position for just over four years.
“After five years at M&S, Jeremy is moving his family back to Canada in a planned move,” a spokesman for the retailer told The Times.
His responsibilities will be taken on by Co-Chief Executive officer Katie Bickerstaffe until a replacement is found.
Bringing together leading voices in technology: Retail Assist announces Client Summit 2023
Retail Assist has announced its 2023 Client Summit, bringing together technology enthusiasts and professionals from across the country in the retail and hospitality industry.
This year’s theme, ‘Doing More with Less: Navigating the Balance of Growth and Efficiency,’ highlights the delicate balance between cutting costs and automating processes, fostering growth, and ensuring optimal employee and customer experiences.
The event will take place on 28th September at Broadway Cinema, Nottingham, and features an agenda of sessions delivered by industry experts, including panel discussion chair, Miya Knights, retail technology analyst, editor, author and consultant; and keynote speaker, Julian Burnett, NED, board advisor and growth investor; former digital and tech leader, IBM, House of Fraser, John Lewis and Sainsbury's.
Modern mobile experiences: Huck’s Bucks Bigg Rewards app goes live powered by Rovertown tech
Huck’s, a US convenience store chain with more than 120 locations across Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee, has announced the launch of its revamped mobile app.
It says that the Huck’s Bucks Bigg Rewards app, powered by Rovertown, combines the latest in loyalty marketing, scan-and-go payments, and customer engagement strategies.
“Our focus is on providing best in class shopping experiences in our stores as well as on mobile devices,” says Murat Tokad, CEO at Huck’s. “Our new app assists guests with everyday functions and provides targeted offers within an easy to use, modern mobile experience.”
Amazon opens new Amazon Fresh Just Walk Out tech powered store in Moorgate, London
Amazon has opened a new Just Walk Out technology powered Amazon Fresh convenience grocery store in Moorgate, London.
There are now 18 of these locations in the UK - 17 of which are in London, and the other at Sevenoaks in Kent. Way off the original target of 200+ by the end of 2025.
To enter the Moorgate store, customers walk through a non-gated entrance and shop for what they need.
At the end of their trip, they can either scan their in-store code (via the Amazon app) at the exit gate or pay by tapping their credit or debit card.
‘Embracing digital solutions crucial for growth’: retail veteran Martin Bailie joins Quorso advisory board
Quorso has announced that Martin Bailie will be joining its advisory board.
Bailie’s career in retail management spans various roles, including Chief Operations Officer (COO) at Lidl UK&IE, member of the sales and operations executive board at Primark and CEO at Tata and Tesco’s hypermarket enterprise in India.
In his new role, he will help shape the strategic direction of Quorso’s AI guided operations platform.
The Diamond Lab bags Series A funding as UK startup preps physical retail debut in London
UK jewellery brand, The Diamond Lab, has secured £450,000 of funding.
Steered by founder Jamie Amelia Patel, the London-based business, self-funded up until this point, has secured its first round of private financing; a £450,000 Series A, led by investor James Shulman.
Patel has forecasted £3.8 million in sales during its first year through international e-commerce, a London flagship store, and several brand partnerships due to be announced in the coming months.
The company will open its immersive bricks and mortar store located on New Bond Street by November.
Further lab grown diamond jewellery designs will also add to its three existing collections, including the exclusive Selfridges Yellow Diamond line.
Featuring Simbe, Volumental, and Proximity: RTIH presents last week’s biggest retail technology plays at a glance
RTIH rounds up the stand out retail tech deals, launches, deployments and pilots from the past seven days. Including Wakefern Food Corp., Au Vodka, Walmart, Amazon, Albert Heijn, and Heineken.
Stateside success: Amazon Just Walk Out technology connects with college campuses and sporting venues
Although its Just Walk Out technology has yet to take off at grocery locations, Amazon is having some success with universities and sporting venues.
The University of Pittsburgh, for instance, will collaborate with Transact Campus and Chartwell’s Higher Education to bring the tech to a convenience store on the Pittsburgh campus.
“As one of the first universities in the United States to integrate Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology into its on-campus retail environment, Pitt is elevating the student experience by making shopping at The Market at Towers faster, easier and more convenient,” says Matthew Sterne, Vice Chancellor of Business Services at Pitt.
“This collaboration enhances our ongoing efforts to leverage innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of our campus community."
Tech savvy, on-the-go college students are a glaringly obvious target market for this frictionless shopping technology.
As are sports fans, who want to spend as much time as possible watching a baseball, soccer etc game, and as little time as possible buying food, drinks etc..
The Seattle Seahawks and Lumen Field are set to expand the venue’s use of Just Walk Out and Amazon One with deployments at both retail and concession locations, including at the new Seahawks Pro Shop Outlet for fan merchandise.
The latter will open starting with the Seahawks home preseason game on 10th August and is located in the northwest corner of the stadium’s main concourse near section 140.
Fans will find a variety of team gear offered at reduced prices including hats, shirts, jerseys, and souvenirs.
Check out our LinkedIn page here.
Continue reading…