Robots on campus: RTIH rustles up the retail technology news you might have missed last week
Failed to keep up with the breaking retail technology news last week? Then have no fear as RTIH has you covered. Here are the major stories that you need to know about. Includes Grubhub, Cartken, The Diamond Lab, PacSun, Amazon, bodo, Packfleet, Salesforce, and TalkShopLive.
Grubhub tie up sees Cartken robots deliver 50,000+ orders to students at the University of Arizona
Cartken reports that, through its partnership with Grubhub, more than 50,000 autonomous deliveries have been made via its robots on the University of Arizona’s campus during the ‘22 - ‘23 school year.
Said robots first debuted on the University of Arizona’s campus in August 2022, just in time for the start of the school year.
The University of Arizona had an existing partnership with Grubhub Campus Dining that allows students to use their meal plans to order food from on-campus restaurants via the Grubhub app for pickup.
Through Cartken’s partnership with Grubhub, students are able to select robot delivery as an option when ordering from on campus restaurants.
The university’s more than 40,000 students can now order from 12 on-site restaurants and campus dining facilities and receive their order autonomously at one of the 60 drop-off stations throughout the nearly 400 acre campus.
PacSun taps Manhattan Associates tech for more personalised, modern shopping experience at PoS
PacSun has selected Manhattan Associates’ Active Point of Sale solution.
The retailer already leverages Manhattan Active Omni's order management and store inventory and fulfilment capabilities.
Expanding its solution set to include PoS rounds out the company’s omnichannel offerings and gives associates a single, intuitive experience across all in-store selling, engagement and fulfilment functions.
The solution helps PacSun deliver a more personalised and modern shopping experience to consumers at the Point of Sale.
Shaping the future of retail: Pi-xcels wraps seed funding round for interactive e-receipts offering
Singapore-based digital receipt solutions specialist, Pi-xcels, has completed a seed funding round, raising $1.7 million.
This was led by Wavemaker Partners, with participation from other venture capital firms such as Hustle Fund, Amand Ventures, and Black Kite Capital, as well as strategic angel investors.
“We are shaping the future of retail with paperless receipts and data centric shopper journeys," says Pi-xcels CEO Daniel Lim.
"We are among the few use cases of NFC beyond payments. Not only does our app less technology enhance customer experiences, it also equips retailers with valuable data to better understand and cater to customers' preferences."
Pureplay LOOKFANTASTIC launches data driven Foundation Finder e-commerce tool
LOOKFANTASTIC, a THG owned online destination for beauty enthusiasts, has launched a patent pending tool designed to match customers with their perfect foundation shade.
Toll Brothers taps Amazon Just Walk Out tech for Regency at Folsom Ranch community checkout free store
Toll Brothers has announced the installation of Amazon Just Walk Out tech at the convenience store within its Regency at Folsom Ranch retirement community located in Folsom, California.
This makes it the first residential community west of the Mississippi to adopt the solution as part of its on-site resident amenities.
The store allows residents to scan their Regency app (which includes credit card information) upon entry, grab the items they need, and leave the store without the need to check out.
The technology detects what residents take from or return to the shelves and creates a virtual shopping session.
When residents have completed shopping, they are able to leave the store without having to wait in line, and their choice of payment method through the app will be charged for the items they took with them.
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.”
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.
Lafayette become first Lehigh Valley college to use Amazon Just Walk Out technology
Lafayette College, in partnership with Parkhurst Dining, is introducing Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology just in time for the new academic year, becoming the first Lehigh Valley college or university to offer the option on its campus.
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.
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.
Retail technology veteran Kevin O'Brien joins Headlam Group as new Chief Information Officer
Kevin O'Brien has taken on the role of CIO at Headlam Group, a British company that specialises in carpet, residential vinyl, wood, laminate, luxury vinyl tile, and commercial flooring.
O'Brien’s CV includes stints as Chief Technology Officer at MISSOMA, Global Transformation & IT Director at FitFlop, Director of IT at Selfridges, and IT Director at Mothercare.
Here you come again: Dolly Parton returns to TalkShopLive for live shopping album and book event
American singer-songwriter, musician, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman, Dolly Parton, has hooked up with live streaming, social selling network, TalkShopLive.
In a LinkedIn post, the letters CEO and Co-Founder, Bryan Moore, said: “Thrilled to welcome the iconic Dolly Parton back to TalkShopLIve. She has launched her last four products with us and tonight (Friday, 18th August) she brings multiple products, with multiple different fulfilment partners, into the same show.”
“The greatest testament to TalkShopLIve is when our talent, retailer, brand and publishing partners return time and again because they realise incredible success on the platform and move the needle in their overall sales numbers.”
He added: “On a personal note, not only does Dolly make me smile from ear to ear every time I see her or hear her, but it is such a pleasure to work with her incredible team who continues to be at the top of their game - always innovating to create the most dynamic fan experiences.”
“Thank you for trusting us and continuing to make TalkShopLIve part of your product launches.”
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.”
Salesforce report: many UK shoppers keen to use generative AI for purchase inspiration
Salesforce has released its annual Connected Shoppers report featuring feedback from 2,400 shoppers and 1,125 retail decision makers in 18 countries, including the United Kingdom.
This finds that generative artificial intelligence is already making an impact on retail, with more shoppers turning to it for purchase inspiration.
UK data highlights from the research include:
93% of UK retailers say they’re investing more than ever in AI, as continued uptake of the technology sees 35% of UK shoppers expressing an interest in using generative AI to research and recommend new appliances and electronics
53% of UK shoppers report having made a purchase on social media - up from 6% in 2021
Two thirds of UK transactions will take place over digital channels in 2023, a figure expected to rise to 64% in 2025
Kellogg Company taps Jisp tech to promote Crunchy Nut Salted Caramel and Coco-Pops Choco cereal range
Kellogg Company has worked with Jisp to help drive interest in and sales of its new Crunchy Nut Salted Caramel and Coco-Pops Choco cereal range.
Shoppers were able to claim a 59p discount on each packet of cereal during a three-week promotion at participating Nisa Retail stores.
In a LinkedIn post, Jisp said: “Discounting is a key weapon for CPG brands when launching a new to market product, but do they know which consumers have engaged with their brand and who then go on to make additional purchases? Thankfully, with Scan and Save they can do both, helping them to measure the value of discount and not just the cost.”
It added: “Every carefully targeted Jisp shopper was sent a timely email and in-app message detailing the fantastic discount on offer and encouraging them to go into their local Nisa store and pick up a bargain.”
“The offer was also promoted with a strong visual call to action within the Scan and Save mobile application and advertised across social channels, both our own and those of our retail partners.”
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