Lab grown diamonds are forever: check out last week’s most read RTIH retail technology articles
These are the RTIH articles that caught your fancy last week, including Temu, Marks and Spencer, Aldi UK, New Look, EE, and Amazon Fresh.
Consumption nation: Here’s what American retailers can learn from booming Chinese shopping app Temu
US retailers beware. Riding high with Temu, the Chinese are coming and they’re coming to win.
That’s the view of Brittain Ladd, a supply chain consultant and former Amazon executive.
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.
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.
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.”
Aldi UK checkout-free store at centre of cash row as Piers Corbyn pays for strawberries with coins
In early 2022, discount retailer Aldi UK launched its first autonomous store.
Situated on Greenwich High Street in London, it enables customers to complete their shop without scanning a single product, or having to go through a checkout.
They can download the Aldi Shop&Go app, which will allow them to enter the store, pick up their items, and then walk out when they have completed their shop.
Once a customer leaves, they will then be automatically charged via their selected payment method and a receipt will appear in the app.
The system, provided by AiFi, uses specially positioned cameras.
Those people wishing to buy alcohol, or other Challenge 25 products, are able to use facial age estimation technology, provided by Yoti, to authorise their purchase.
Giles Hurley, CEO at Aldi UK and Ireland, said at the time of the opening: “Today is the culmination of months of work, not least from the team here in Greenwich and I’m looking forward to seeing how customers react to our trial.”
“This store utilises the very latest in retail technology offering Aldi’s award winning products and unbeatable prices to customers in a new and innovative way. The team are really excited about seeing customers come in and experience Aldi Shop&Go.”
Fast forward to the present day and the store has been targeted by Piers Corbyn, brother of former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, and also a climate change denier, anti-vaccine activist, and conspiracy theorist.
In a video posted on social media, Corbyn can be seen holding a box of strawberries and putting down cash on a help table.
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.
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”.
Goodays sponsors Customer Experience Excellence category at 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards
The fifth edition of the RTIH Innovation Awards is now open for entries.
The awards celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world and include a Customer Experience Excellence category.
Deadline for 2023 submissions is Friday, 27th October, with winners being revealed at an exclusive event at the Barbican in central London on Wednesday, 29th November.
The aforementioned category is new for 2023 and sponsored by Goodays.
The Covid-19 outbreak has reshaped customer behaviour and their expectations of retailers.
This award will go to an online and/or physical retailer that has understood and reacted in a positive fashion to these customer trends and patterns, by providing exceptional omnichannel customer experiences, powered by innovative technologies.
Download an entry form here.
Click here for further information on the 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards.
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.
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.
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