Job losses and online returns: 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 Marks and Spencer, New Look, Tesco, EE, Sephora, and Getir.
1. 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.
2. New Look and ZigZag Global partner to introduce drop off kiosks at selected stores
New Look has rolled out return kiosks in partnership with ZigZag Global across a selection of its stores this week.
The aim is to reduce the amount of time spent by in-store staff processing returns, whilst improving data collection.
After entering information online, customers can choose ‘Return to Store’ as an option and, rather than printing out a sticker, will receive a QR code.
Rachel Troke, Senior Product Manager at New Look, says: “One of the key drivers for launching the kiosks was that we weren’t getting the right data from our customers on why they were returning in-store.”
“A lot of items were being marked down as unwanted. A trend that didn’t match up with what we were seeing with our online returns.”
She adds: “We suspected that customers were perhaps too shy to dive into the exact reason for making the return with the store colleague. It is understandable to not want to discuss potential sizing issues with a stranger.”
“The in-store kiosks bring back that comforting anonymity you get with online returns for the customers whilst providing better data for our buying teams. We will now get close to 100% coverage across our e-commerce returns, collecting valuable data that will allow us to make smarter, more informed decisions.”
3. Tesco announces electric vehicle milestone as part of ambition to become carbon neutral in UK by 2035
Tesco has unveiled its 500th home delivery electric van.
This will go into service at the grocery giant’s Sheffield Extra store, making this location the first in Yorkshire to have a fully electric fleet. It runs 14 home delivery vans, making 2,500 deliveries each week.
Since Tesco introduced its first EV home delivery van in 2020 in Greater London, the EVs have replaced 15 million diesel delivery miles.
More than 30 Tesco stores and centres are now operating fully electric home delivery vans across the UK.
Tesco’s fleet of 5,500 home delivery vans deliver to 150,000 customers across the UK every day.
As part of its ambition to become carbon neutral in the UK by 2035, Tesco has committed to operating a fully electric home delivery fleet in the UK by the end of 2030.
4. Under pressure Getir announces global restructuring plan, set to part ways with 2,500 employees
Cash strapped Turkish rapid grocery delivery firm Getir has announced a global restructuring initiative, with plans to cut 2,500 jobs across five countries, or 10.9% of its total workforce.
It will continue to operate in Turkey, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and the United States.
The company last month announced its exit from Italy, Spain, and Portugal.
5. Sephora teams with J.P. Morgan Payments as it enables Tap to Pay on iPhone for US merchants
J.P. Morgan Payments has announced the launch of Tap to Pay on iPhone for its merchant clients in the US.
The solution allows merchants to accept contactless payments using their iPhones, without the need for a dedicated payments card reader or additional hardware.
Takis Georgakopoulos, Global Head of Payments, J.P. Morgan, says: “Today’s announcement marks a critical moment in time for the evolution of our business.”
“Enhancing the ability for consumers to pay with their preferred method of payment is part of our broader, customer centric approach to simplify omnichannel payment acceptance for our merchant clients.”
“As consumer payment needs continue to rapidly evolve, this is a significant demonstration of our ability to innovate at scale to support our merchant clients through this ongoing transformation.”
Sephora is the first J.P. Morgan Payments client to enable Tap to Pay on iPhone, which is currently rolling out across all its US freestanding stores.
Its beauty advisors can accept contactless credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, and other digital wallets anywhere in the store by using their iPhone and the mobile Point of Sale App – no additional hardware needed, regardless of the purchase amount.
6. 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”.
7. Walmart partners with Wing as retail giant adds to Stateside drone deliveries footprint
Walmart is teaming up with Alphabet owned Wing to offer drone delivery from two stores in the Dallas area in the coming months, adding to its existing footprint of 11 hubs in Texas.
“Two years ago, we embarked on a journey to make the convenience of drone delivery a reality for our customers. Over that time we’ve grown to offer it across seven states and 36 stores, completing more than 10,000 safe deliveries,” says Prathibha Rajashekhar, SVP Innovation & Automation, Walmart U.S.
“Today, we’re continuing that momentum by teaming up with Wing, an on-demand drone delivery provider powered by Google’s parent company, Alphabet. The service will be offered from two stores in the Dallas metro area in the coming months, enabling us to reach an additional 60,000 homes.”
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