Including NewStore, Nedap, and Mollie: RTIH presents the retail technology week in numbers
Do you like numbers? Do you like retail systems news? Then this is the article for you. Including AllSaints, Amazon, Walmart, Foot Locker, Shein, eBay UK, and the 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards.
50%…Sporting goods retailer, INTERSPORT, reports a 50% reduction in product data processing time, partnering with Unifai, an Akeneo company.
Leveraging the firm’s solution which uses AI and ML powered data onboarding to automatically standardise, enrich and categorise product catalogues, has enabled it to significantly increase speed time to market, while optimising purchasing spend and improving performance monitoring.
4…There are just over four weeks left to submit your entries for the 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards, which takes place on Wednesday, 29th November at the Barbican Arts Centre in central London.
The event, sponsored by PMC, CADS, 3D Cloud by Marxent, and Goodays, celebrates global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
Spread over 19 different categories, submissions are judged on the extent of innovation and transformation demonstrated, as well as the sustainability of the results.
Previous year’s winners have included B&Q, Pets at Home, Walmart, Sook, AiFi, Compass Group, Obsess, and Ribble Cycles.
Deadline for 2023 submissions is Friday, 27th October.
The awards culminate in a fantastic ceremony, complete with a drinks reception and Christmas themed three-course meal at the Barbican Arts Centre on Wednesday 29th November.
A key event highlight is an exclusive pre-awards roundtable discussion, enabling retailers, tech suppliers and advisors to come together and talk about current retail challenges and opportunities.
Key dates
Friday, 27th October: Award entry deadline
Tuesday, 31st October: 2023 shortlist revealed
6th-10th November: Judging days
Wednesday, 29th November: The 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards ceremony
Categories, along with entry forms, can be found here.
200…AllSaints is set to roll-out NewStore’s mobile Point of Sale (mPOS) in more than 200 stores globally.
The British fashion retailer previously selected NewStore to replace its homegrown direct-to-consumer mobile app.
"Our goal has always been to create customer journeys that are effortless and contemporary. To do this, we needed a modular yet comprehensive omnichannel platform that could empower us to innovate and adapt," says James Reid, Chief Innovation Officer, AllSaints.
"We originally selected NewStore to build our consumer app, but that was just the beginning. By expanding our partnership, we are elevating the overall customer experience and future-proofing our technology strategy at the same time."
44% and 35%…Pet food brand I and love and you reports a 44% increase in dog food repeat purchases and a 35% increase in cat food repeat purchases by deploying Nosto technology to tailor online shopping experiences to distinct customer segments.
The same approach has also led to a 17% lift in e-commerce purchases from first time customers.
The company has been using Nosto’s platform to segment e-commerce visitors to its website in real-time, starting with three key groups: returning, loyal and first-time customers.
80%…The Ethical Commerce Alliance (ECA) has released the second edition of its Retail Trust Index (RTI), examining retailers' online data practices.
80% of consumers are now aware that online retailers track and use their online browsing history, an increase of 20% since 2022. The research also shows that 74% are actively changing their online shopping habits to avoid online tracking, with 24% turning to competitor brands.
Re-affirming concerns, 38% of consumers stated that retail brands aren’t doing enough to protect their online data and privacy.
In addition, 61% say online retail brands don’t effectively communicate their tracking practices and use of cookies - an industry wide misstep when clear data privacy policies are the most important factor in building online trust for almost half of consumers (48%).
£3 billion…UK households are set to be £3 billion worse off this Christmas compared with last (Q4 2023 vs. Q4 2022), according to new research from e-commerce delivery specialists ShipEngine and ShipStation.
This is due to high levels of inflation continuing to erode spending power for many households as the cost-of-living climate drags on. The research was commissioned by their operating company, Auctane, in partnership with retail consultancy, Retail Economics.
2,000…Pudgy Penguins’ line of Pudgy Toys is now available in 2,000 Walmart stores.
According to a press release, these plushies and collectibles are “now sold alongside legacy consumer brands, a testament to both the growing popularity of the character brand and its unique approach of developing community driven and owned IP that leverages social media and blockchain technology”.
It adds: “This signals a transformative shift in IP development, as the industry moves to leverage a mix of community engagement, social media influence, and innovative blockchain backed experiences.”
“Since its launch, Pudgy Penguins has forged a unique path, blending traditional digital platforms with the new age of blockchain to offer consumers tailored interactive experiences.”
2…Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology has landed in Canada. It will first become available at two Canadian arenas - Scotiabank Saddledome, home of the NHL’s Calgary Flames on 29th September, and Scotiabank Arena, home of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and the NBA’s Toronto Raptors on 10th October.
More locations will roll out the technology in the coming months. Canada joins the US, UK, and Australia as nations offering checkout-free shopping experiences for consumers.
It will be available at Market 213 in Scotiabank Saddledome and at Grains and Greens (100 Level) and Molson Market (300 Level) locations in Scotiabank Arena.
To enter the store, fans use their credit or debit card at the entry gate. Just Walk Out technology associates the shopper with their payment instrument, and detects the items taken from or returned to store shelves.
When guests have completed their visit, they leave and the payment instrument will be charged for the items they took with them. Shortly after exiting, customers will be able to access their receipt online.
650…Sports fashion and apparel retailer Foot Locker has extended the Nedap iD Cloud RFID solution to its new Eastern European stores.
This means that the project, which kicked off in 2018, now involves over 650 stores across Europe.
By using RFID tagged merchandise from brands such as Nike, adidas, and PUMA, Foot Locker says that it is benefiting from long-term accuracy in its inventory, leading to improved stock availability and reduced stock-outs.
Niek Philipsen, Director Innovation at Foot Locker, comments: “Brands we work with are very strict when it comes to displaying merchandise. In the case of exclusive, limited-edition footwear, timing is crucial.”
“The iD Cloud App tells our store teams exactly which items should be displayed and when. This way, we ensure true brand experience and a great moment of shopping at Foot Locker for our customers.”
£2.2 million…Finematter, a circular online marketplace focused on the jewellery industry, has announced the second close of its seed round, bringing the total raised to £2.2 million.
This counted contributions from angel investors such as Heini Zachariassen (Vivino), Christine de Wendel (Zalando/Sunday), Jeppe Rindom (Pleo), Dino Patti (Playdead/Jumpship), Peder Micheal Pruzan-Jørgensen (Pandora's Sustainability board), and participation from existing shareholder Heartcore Capital.
79% and 87%…A significant uptick in advertisers using retail data is approaching, according to new research by The Trade Desk.
The company surveyed 200+ UK marketers and found that 79% are currently using retail data, whilst 87% state their organisation plans to use this data resource in the next two years.
“The appetite for retail data will only continue to accelerate as more advertisers look for ways to close the loop between advertising and sales,” says Phil Duffield, VP, UK, The Trade Desk.
“As we move closer towards the deprecation of third-party cookies, retail data can offer marketers authenticated information about purchase activity to help drive better performance and measurement, which is stark contrast to the walled gardens.”
2%…A new study from PayTech firm Mollie reveals an upswing in consumer optimism and online spending in the next 6-12 months. However, the past year’s economic environment has driven significant changes in buying behaviour that indicate a need for e-commerce merchants to evolve their customer acquisition and retention strategies.
The report is based on an online survey of 5,000 consumers during July and August, evenly distributed across Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Key findings: Only 2% of European e-commerce consumers don't use any social media for product research. YouTube (47%) is the most favoured platform, followed by Facebook (43%) and Instagram (40%).
6…The NRF Foundation has announced the six honourees of The List of People Shaping Retail’s Future 2024, with those people set to be celebrated at the NRF Foundation Honours in New York City in January.
These are:
lululemon Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President Julie Averill.
Crocs Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Heidi Cooley.
The Kroger Co. Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer Yael Cosset.
Shopify President Harley Finkelstein.
Snoopslimes Founder and CEO Jungmin Kang.
Burlington Stores Inc. Senior Vice President of Leadership and Organisational Development, DEI and Community Impact Mecca Mitchell.
A survey of 2,002 Brits, commissioned by e-commerce agency Quickfire Digital, reveals that 51% have discarded a purchase due to accessibility issues either online or in-store. And this abandonment extends well beyond the confines of the ‘purple pound’.
$4 billion…Amazon said on Monday it will invest $4 billion in Anthropic and take a minority ownership position. Anthropic was founded by former OpenAI (the company behind ChatGPT) executives, and recently debuted its new AI chatbot named Claude 2.
£100,000…Following the launch of the Circular Fashion Fund in 2022, eBay UK has announced its £100,000 initiative will return for a second year, in partnership with The British Fashion Council.
Offering up to six £25,000 grants to small businesses, this exists to invest in and bring new technology and services to the circular economy, with a particular focus on innovation around customer experience, circular inventory and services and social commerce.
Environmental charity, Hubbub will also support in an advisory role, drawing on its experience in delivering high profile grant funds.
Applications are open from now until Friday 20th October 2023, and innovative tech startups and small businesses can apply via a form on eBay’s website here.
The judging criteria is focused on four key assessment areas; innovation, circularity, scalability and sustainability. A shortlist of ten businesses will be invited to pitch to a panel of fashion and sustainability industry experts and organisations.
Alongside the financial support, finalists will receive a six-week mentoring programme, industry networking opportunities and a platform to showcase their innovative circular fashion solutions to a wider audience.
50…A new immersive, gamified virtual experience, The Cultureverse, has launched, celebrating the last 50 years of hip hop music and the genre's impact on culture.
The result of a collaboration between Walmart and Web3 creative studio POCLab, this is now available on Spatial.
In a LinkedIn post, Justin Breton, Director of Brand Experiences & Strategic Partnerships at Walmart, said: “The Cultureverse, which authentically aligns with our mission to supercharge the potential of black creators physically, digitally, and now virtually, aims to amplify the narratives of those that are unrepresented within the metaverse and Web3 and proudly features the unique voices and stories of more than 25 black and brown creators from music, fashion, art, and more.”
He added: “More specifically, Walmart commissioned four artists to create works of art that draw inspiration from the question: “What does Black & Unlimited mean to you?” This initiative provided them with a canvas to express their creative individualism through a new medium. You can experience and read about these larger than avatar works of art in the Black & Unlimited Gallery.”
Walmart is also powering the Main Stage, with the aim of elevating the voices and perspectives of individuals who have influenced culture and are driving the continued evolution of hip hop through consistent programming of virtual panels, fireside chats etc.
A shoppable Rock The Bells exhibit, virtual fashion popup, interactive Jet Magazine archive are also available to explore.
9…Last weekend, fast fashion giant Shein presented pieces from nine of its new collections for autumn/winter through a special episode of its shoppable livestream show, Shein Live: Front Row.
Lasting three hours, this was co-hosted by actress and influencer Teala Dunn and Shein host Renee Ariel and havd a special guest appearance by celebrity stylist EJ King.
People were able to tune into the show through the Shein app, as well as @sheinofficial and @sheinus Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram pages.
1…Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology is now available for students, faculty, and staff at University of California San Diego.
Shoppers can enter with their Triton2Go app or a credit card and then skip the checkout line at Roger's Market, Sixth Market, and Seventh Market.
Their choice of payment method - Dining Dollars, Triton Cash or a credit card - is charged for any items taken.
Staff members are no longer required at checkout counters, freeing them to assist customers, restock shelves or perform other customer service related duties. In addition, the team receives real-time information about the most popular items.
UC San Diego is the first location in San Diego to feature Just Walk Out tech.
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