Pizzas, books, and CTOs: RTIH rounds 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 Pinterest, Stuart Trevor, PLUS Retail, Books-A-Million, Walmart, Mercaux, Metacask, Glovo, and Penny Black.
Pinterest launches new technology to increase body representation on social media platform
Pinterest is introducing a new technology to its suite of AI offerings, pitched as a first of its kind solution that uses shape, size, and form to identify various body types in over five billion images on the platform.
This builds on the launch of skin tone technology, with the aim of shaping how its algorithms increase representation across related feeds and search results for women’s fashion and wedding related content.
“We believe that inspiration begins with inclusion. That’s why we continue to develop inclusive product experiences that make it easier to find the best ideas that feel made for you,” says Sabrina Ellis, Pinterest’s Chief Product Officer.
“With the powerful addition of our new body type technology to our suite of inclusive AI efforts, we have improved representation of different body types on the platform by 5x across women’s fashion related searches in the US.”
All Saints founder Stuart Trevor unveils new fashion brand, powered by Stored payments technology
All Saints founder Stuart Trevor is introducing a new company that creates clothes solely from discarded material, and taps technology from Stored, a mobile payments startup.
“I am excited to see our payment technology align with Stuart Trevor’s visionary approach. This partnership exemplifies our commitment to redefining the shopping experience, where sustainability and convenience converge to shape the future of retail and drive exponential growth across channels,” says Danny Howe, Co-founder at Stored.
"We're not just launching a clothing brand; we're unveiling a future shopping experience that combines the best of sustainable fashion with cutting-edge payment technology," Trevor comments.
"Stored's frictionless payment solutions complement our mission of delivering an eco-conscious and convenient shopping journey."
Lapeyre selects SES-imagotag and its VUSION platform as part of retailer’s digital transformation push
Lapeyre, a home improvement retailer, has announced the deployment of SES-imagotag’s VUSION IoT Cloud platform and electronic shelf labels (ESLs) across its 132 stores in France.
Alongside pricing automation, the ESLs will provide access to a multitude of services.
By way of example, QR codes that can be flashed will enable customers to access the store’s catalogue, interactive product descriptions (technical specifications, videos, etc.) with a link to Lapeyre’s e-commerce site, and the ability to confirm product availability in-store or online.
Packfleet and Pizza Pilgrims partner to deliver carbon neutral pizza to hungry Londoners
Packfleet and Pizza Pilgrims have teamed up to provide food lovers with carbon neutral deliveries.
The collaboration will see Pizza Pilgrims’ DIY Pizza-in-the-Post kits delivered straight to customers' doorsteps through the courier’s routing technology.
Aided by Packfleet’s live map tracking, customers can track their pizza kit at every step of the journey.
The company says that it boasts a delivery failure rate of only 0.07%, 10x less than leading traditional couriers – reducing both waste and the volume of resource-intensive redeliveries.
On delivery day, customers will have the option to change everything about the order – including the time their parcel arrives, the address it arrives at, and whether drivers ring the doorbell – all at any point on the drivers’ journey.
All of Pizza Pilgrims’ Neapolitan pizza meal kit orders, both one off orders and subscriptions, within the M25 will be delivered by Packfleet.
PLUS Retail opts to expand partnership with RELEX Solutions in support of PLUS-COOP merger
PLUS Retail is expanding its partnership with RELEX Solutions in support of its PLUS-COOP merger as it looks to further optimise the end-to-end supply chain as well as implement an automated space management solution and enable mobile delivery of space plans.
PLUS Retail’s stores and distribution centres have used the RELEX unified supply chain planning solution since 2020.
In 2022, it merged with COOP Netherlands and will be converting COOP stores into the PLUS Retail format through 2025. Following the merger, PLUS decided to expand the use of the RELEX solution to include space and floor planning.
The solutions will be implemented across all future PLUS formats and stores as well as all distribution centres, including the newly built fully automated DC in Oss, throughout the Netherlands.
Books-A-Million taps Walmart GoLocal platform for same and next day delivery initiative
It’s National Read a Book Day, and Books-A-Million is marking the occasion with the introduction of same and next day online delivery for customers across its 231 Stateside locations, starting with its Southeast and Midwest markets.
The retailer is teaming up with Walmart GoLocal, Walmart’s white label, delivery as a service platform, to make this happen.
“There’s nothing better than curling up with your favourite book or exploring a new world for the first time. We’re excited to introduce this new delivery offering with Walmart GoLocal, which will make it easier for customers to order their favourite books and have their favourite stories at their fingertips,” says Olivia McDaniel, Vice President of Marketing at Books-A-Million.
“As retail and consumer preferences continue to evolve, we’re thrilled to be bringing our customers this added convenience and serve them in new ways.”
Mercaux publishes exclusive mid-year insight in Pulse of Retail 2023 Peak Season report
Mercaux, a provider of in-store omnichannel retail solutions, has released an exclusive insight into peak season sentiment through The Pulse of Retail 2023 - Peak Season report.
Here is a snapshot of what to expect from the report, which surveyed more than 200 retail executives across the UK, USA, Spain and Italy, with five further executive summary points available on download of the full report:
Driving more sales takes centre stage: The role of the store has evolved, with driving more sales now recognised as the most crucial function, surpassing "fulfil-from-store."
Steadfast progress despite economic challenges: Despite economic uncertainties, retailers are continuing their growth in in-store technology deployment, with a significant increase from 24% to 36%.
Prioritising self-checkout: Transforming Point of Sale systems is a top priority, with self-checkout, both on customer devices and kiosks, taking the lead.
Addressing staff retention challenges: Half of retailers are grappling with staff retention issues.
Unlocking the potential of AI and ML: To harness the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning in retail, the report highlights opportunities, addresses scepticism, and explores workforce dynamics.
Reaching customers: delivery app Glovo makes retail media play with launch of Glovo Ads offering
On demand delivery specialist, Glovo, has launched Glovo Ads, the aim of which is to enable brands, restaurants and shops to accelerate their business growth, engagement and sales between users of its app.
Glovo says that its position across the 25 countries it operates in is enabling +500 FMCG brands and +10,000 restaurants and stores to connect with millions of customers via its platform.
Marketers can use searches, homepage listings and sponsored placements throughout the customer journey until checkout to target consumers with relevant ads while on the app.
And, because users can buy across different categories in addition to takeaway food - from gifts or beauty products to groceries and electronics - non-FMCG brands can also use Glovo Ads to engage consumers.
Companies such as Coca-Cola, Diageo, Pernod Ricard, Pepsico, RedBull have built Glovo into the marketing stack, while multinational advertising companies like Publicis are working with their clients to market through the app.
PANGAIA partners with Archive and EON to launch ReWear peer-to-peer resale platform
Lifestyle brand, PANGAIA, and technology supplier, Archive, have partnered to launch PANGAIA ReWear, a peer-to-peer resale programme that enables sellers to list their preloved PANGAIA items using digital IDs powered by EON.
The digital IDs also give buyers a way to authenticate the preowned items they are purchasing through ReWear.
“PANGAIA ReWear is more than just a resale platform. It is the first step towards our ultimate goal - the creation of a future where we are able to close the loop by creating a truly circular ecosystem for our apparel, powered by the industry’s leading technology companies - Archive and EON. We are excited to make our ambitions a reality with our partners by our side,” says a spokesperson for PANGAIA.
NFTs specialist Metacask hires Rob Hollands as CEO as it focuses on digitalising the spirits industry
Metacask, an online platform for buying and selling spirits including whiskey and tequila, has announced the appointment of a new CEO, Rob Hollands.
Metacask digitalises physical products such as investor grade casks and bottles utilising blockchain and NFTs.
These NFTs serve as digital deeds, with complete transparency – not just in possession and provenance, but also for the purposes of price discovery.
This also means that the underlying asset can be traded digitally, and instantly on the Metacask marketplace. No more paper-based certificates to assign ownership which was previously the case.
Holland’s role will focus on the growth strategy for the firm’s B2C platform, as well as Trakr, a new inventory management and asset tracking SaaS solution that launches this month.
Trakr enables brands, distillers, producers and warehouses to track and manage their entire process of spirits production from grain to bottle.
Holland will oversee the growth of the global team, working with a leadership team in the US, Singapore and South America. His role also involves securing new strategic partnerships for the platform.
Prior to joining Metacask, he was Managing Director at SharpEnd / io.tt, where he operationally led the business as well as key accounts, including Estée Lauder Companies and Diageo.
New edition of Omnichannel Retail: How to Build Winning Stores in a Digital World handbook released
Written by Eagle Eye CEO Tim Mason, former Tesco executive and the originator of the first grocery loyalty programme, and retail expert Sarah Jarvis, this explores the value of digital customer connection, how to harness it online and in-store using the latest tools and proven strategies from omnichannel leaders.
ADDICTION taps Bambuser Social Video Commerce solution to boost online shopping experience
Japanese personal care company KOSÉ is using Bambuser’s Social Video Commerce platform for one of its cosmetic brands, ADDICTION.
The plug and play solution can be embedded into any e-commerce site and includes features that enable retailers to launch shoppable video.
ADDICTION says that it selected Bambuser due to “its high quality live streaming technologies, personalised support, and consultation services, as well as its proven success, backed up by accumulated data”.
Mike Cadden takes on Interim Chief Technology Officer role at charitable organisation Marie Curie
Mike Cadden will this week join Marie Curie as Interim Chief Technology Officer.
In a LinkedIn post, he said: “The more eagle eyed amongst you may have noticed that the "open to work" banner has gone. I can now announce that as of Monday, 11th September, I will be joining CEO Matthew Reed and his amazing leadership team at Marie Curie as Interim Chief Technology Officer.”
He added: “As I'm sure everyone will be aware, this is an amazing organisation that does such important work in palliative care, where technology plays a key role in supporting their critical services and as such Marie Curie's mission means so much to me personally, so whilst this is a slight deviation for me, I'm so excited and honoured to be taking up this critical role.”
Marie Curie has an online shop as well as high street stores across the UK.
Cadden’s CV includes stints as Technology and Business Transformation Director at Start-Rite Shoes, IT Director (Sales, Marketing and Customer Services) at Office Depot, and Group IT Director at VIA Outlets.
Personalised e-commerce packaging technology startup Penny Black secures £1.5 million investment
Penny Black, a UK tech startup using marketing techniques to make drab e-commerce packages more rewarding and personalised, has received an additional £1.5 million in seed funding from AGFA and ninepointfive.
This builds on an initial investment of £1.3 million in October 2022, bringing the total raised to date to £2.8 million.
Both investment funds were triggered by partnerships and wins across the UK and Europe, including sustainable toothbrush retailer SURI, gin brand Warner’s Distillery and health supplements retailer Zooki.
Retailers and third-party logistics centres (3PLs) have been attracted to the technology to help differentiate themselves from competitors.
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