Catching up: RTIH pulls together 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 Cart.com, Pacsun, TikTok Shop, FreedomPay, Fanatics, Getir, BJ's Wholesale Club, Bata, and Paradies Lagardère.
Retail Technology Show’s Matt Bradley joins 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards judging panel
We’re pleased to announce the addition of Matt Bradley to the 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards judging panel.
Bradley is Director and Founder of Retail Technology Show, the 2024 edition of which will take place at Olympia, London on 24th-25th April.
We’re also pleased to announce Retail Technology Show as a 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards sponsor.
This is an extension of our long running media partnership.
Retail Technology Show brings together Europe’s most forward thinking retailers and leading tech innovators. Aimed at retailers both in-store and online, it helps businesses thrive in the highly disruptive retail sector.
It is the must attend event for retail and hospitality organisations looking for the right tools, solutions and advice on how to run their business more effectively, more efficiently and more profitably resulting in seamless multi-channel operations and enhanced customer experience.
Cart.com boosts fulfilment centres network as it snags US fulfilment operations deal with Pacsun
Cart.com has announced a new partnership with Pacsun.
This will see the company leverage its logistics expertise and order and inventory management capabilities to support US fulfilment for the brand.
Pacsun will also transition management of its Groveport, Ohio fulfilment facility to Cart.com.
The two million square foot automated facility, which includes advanced sortation and over 25 miles of conveyance as well as dynamic storage solutions, is the 14th warehouse in Cart.com’s nationwide network of omnichannel fulfilment centres.
TikTok looks to dominate in-app shopping market with the help of CommerceHub tech
TikTok is implementing e-commerce solutions from CommerceHub.
By implementing the latter’s unified commerce platform including ChannelAdvisor, the social media giant will now have the ability to access tens of thousands of brands on CommerceHub’s network that want to sell and market their products in TikTok Shop.
TikTok Shop is a new shopping feature in the app which enables merchants, brands, and creators to showcase and sell products directly on TikTok through in-feed videos, TikTok LIVEs, and product showcase tab.
Online marketplace Metacask hooks up with cryptocurrency payments processor BitPay
Metacask, an online marketplace which allows users to buy, sell and collect spirits via the blockchain, has teamed up with crypto payment processor BitPay.
The aim here is to make it simple and secure to use cryptocurrencies on the former’s marketplace when buying any of the rare spirits that are available via auction or exclusive listing.
Every Metacask sale comes with a digital deed that proves ownership of an asset, as well as important provenance statistics such as when and where a cask or bottle was created and even when it was last tested by distilleries or experts.
This is stored permanently on the blockchain, creating a trail of ownership that is audited and timestamped.
With the BitPay partnership, Metacask says that it is making the premium spirits market even more accessible to those using cryptocurrencies. It will also soon support credit card payments and currently enables customers to create an account using social logins from Facebook and Google.
London calling as FLOWERBX agrees exclusive rapid flower delivery service tie up with Zapp
Luxury flower brand, FLOWERBX, has announced a new exclusive rapid delivery partnership with Zapp. As a result, Londoners can now get delivery in minutes, 24/7.
FLOWERBX’s range of products are available for same-day and next-day delivery through its website.
Founder and CEO, Whitney Bromberg Hawkings, says: “We’re thrilled to be making it easier and faster to bring you the highest quality, sustainable flowers in stylish, aesthetic arrangements by partnering with Zapp.”
“Whether you’re dressing up your home for a last minute get together or left a birthday gift to the last moment, this collaboration makes it easier and faster than ever to get your floral fix.”
FreedomPay research: UK digital wallet transactions set to blast past all other payment methods
The UK is on the brink of a digital payments transformation, with digital wallet purchases set to surpass card transactions within ten years, according to research by FreedomPay and Retail Economics.
Currently, around a fifth of retail, leisure and hospitality spending is made through digital wallets; compared to 55.7% by plastic, and a fifth for cash.
This is set to increase to £127.7 billion in 2027/28 (£72.5 billion currently). By 2033, the share of digital wallet payments will likely more than double to 39.7% to £210 billion.
In the next five years, the value of digital wallet use is set to surge by 76.3% – well ahead of other payment methods including transactions through loyalty points and buy now pay later (BNPL) services, while more traditional payment methods of cash and card are predicted to decline.
Bodi.Me develops bespoke sizing tool for new Marks and Spencer gender neutral staff uniforms
Bodi.Me, a specialist in sustainable fashion fit technology, has collaborated with uniform and work wear supplier, Incorporatewear, to develop a bespoke fittings solution for Marks and Spencer’s new gender neutral staff uniforms.
M&S’ staff uniform supplier, Incorporatewear, presented Bodi.Me with a significant challenge: how to seamlessly incorporate M&S’ new collection and support the retailer’s approximately 14,000 members of staff with the transition.
Starting with its existing Size-Me platform, Bodi.Me developed Size-Me 3.0 for the task. The bespoke version of the UK based SaaS company’s garment sizing solution has been specifically tailored to mitigate the uncertainties associated with size selection for gender neutral collections.
It uses data from more than 350,000 3D body models, incorporating AI, the latest machine learning integrated with its proprietary algorithms to extrapolate a complete size and fit recommendation from a few simple questions.
To support M&S’s team, the Size-Me 3.0 also introduced a set of questions for each wearer to address. It uses touch free body measurements and requires no intrusive wearer photos or body scans and all data is entirely confidential.
Ready to eat meal specialist Factor taps automated and green technology at new US production facility
Factor, an American ready to eat meal delivery service, has announced the opening of a new production centre in Goodyear.
It says that the 300,100 square foot facility will serve as one of the largest industrial kitchens in the US.
Factor was born in 2013 out of Chicago, IL. Since its acquisition in 2020 by the HelloFresh Group, it has been leveraging HelloFresh’s direct-to-consumer capabilities and technology infrastructure.
Additionally, it has increased its menu offering by 75%, enabling consumers to choose among a wider selection of meals, including more keto, calorie smart, protein plus, vegetarian, and vegan dishes.
Fanatics hires former Opendoor and GoDaddy exec Andrew Low Ah Kee as Fanatics Commerce CEO
Digital sports platform, Fanatics, has announced the appointment of Andrew Low Ah Kee as Chief Executive Officer at its largest business, Fanatics Commerce.
Fanatics Commerce is a designer, manufacturer, and seller of licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and non-apparel hardgoods.
Low Ah Kee most recently served as President at Opendoor, an e-commerce platform for residential real estate transactions.
Getir backs launch of Transport for London Road Safety Charter for those delivering meals or groceries
Turkish rapid grocery delivery firm, Getir, has partnered with Transport for London (TfL) and signed its road safety charter, which has ten principles and looks to address the disproportionate risk faced by motorcycle couriers and pedestrians alike.
According to TfL, between 2017 and 2021, with only 2.6% of vehicle kilometres driven, motorcycles made up 27% of fatal accidents in the capital.
Getir has worked with TfL, Deliveroo, Stuart, Just Eat and Uber eats to develop the safety charter, which is key to Mayor Sadiq Khan’s Vision Zero goal of eliminating death and serious injury from the transport network.
Principles within it include ensuring that couriers meet the legal requirements for working and riding in the UK.
Getir will participate in TfL’s six monthly Meal and Grocery Delivery Company Road Safety Forum where companies will discuss implementation and progress of the charter, and build on ideas to improve road safety.
Tern Capital acquires retail space planning specialist and 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards sponsor CADS
CADS, a UK-based firm that operates in the retail planning and software market sectors, has announced its acquisition by Tern Capital.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
In a press release, CADS says that the decision to join forces with Tern was made by its board alongside its Dutch owners Boskalis with “careful consideration of how it would benefit employees, clients, partners, and stakeholders.”
“This strategic move aims to enhance capabilities, expand reach, and reinforce CADS’ commitment to delivering exceptional services and solutions”.
It adds: “At the heart of this acquisition is the shared vision of both organisations – to empower CADS to further elevate its offerings and remain at the forefront of the industry.”
“With the support and resources of Tern, we will continue to provide the same level of outstanding service and dedication that our clients and partners have always enjoyed.”
XPO Logistics rolls out Hunic Exoskeleton to all parts of UK and Ireland following pilot trial
XPO has completed a pilot trial of Hunic exoskeleton suit safety equipment and will deploy the technology across the UK and Ireland before the end of this year.
The suits were introduced to XPO Logistics network sites and some dedicated warehouses in January, including Crick (Scania), the Leicester shared user warehouse (Samsung), and the Volkswagen Group UK National Parts Distribution Centre in Dordon, Glen Dimplex, and Daimler in Milton Keynes.
Current users at each site are helping to train wider groups on how to use the suits.
Hunic Exoskeleton technology assists wearers with heavy lifting duties, ensuring their posture is correct to reduce the chance of injury.
It significantly reduced the fatigue felt by those working in the five XPO depots where the suits were tested.
Productivity improved as well: After using the suits at the Samsung operations, there was a 15-20% reduction in unloading time.
Retail technology veteran Anjana Harve takes on Chief Information Officer role at BJ's Wholesale Club
Anjana Harve has been named Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer at BJ's Wholesale Club.
Harve will be responsible for the strategic leadership and direction of the company’s information technology organisation to drive business outcomes, optimise revenue growth and improve operating efficiencies.
She will report to Bob Eddy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and serve as a member of BJ’s executive leadership team.
Footwear brand Bata rolls out Blue Yonder Merchandising and Replenishment Planning solution
Bata is implementing Blue Yonder’s SaaS-based Allocation & Replenishment solution.
It says that this will enable it to: Improve the distribution of products according to customer need; optimise its processes, streamline operations, and deliver products more efficiently; ensure fulfilment locations (whether stores or commerce channels) are proactively restocked.
Paradies Lagardère deploys innovative technology and services at new retail concept The Goods@DCA
Airport retailer and restaurateur Paradies Lagardère has opened its latest retail concept, The Goods@DCA, in Concourse D of Reagan National Airport.
“We are extremely excited to deliver this revolutionary concept to our great partners at Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and the travellers in Reagan National Airport,” says Gregg Paradies, President and CEO at Paradies Lagardère.
“Our well balanced blend of intriguing innovation, exciting local representation, and recognised customer service truly embraces our proven ‘High Tech, High Touch’ approach to delivering an award winning retail experience.”
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