Featuring PMC, Attensi, and Mercaux: RTIH’s biggest retail technology articles on LinkedIn right now
We’re big fans of LinkedIn and are busy building an amazing community of retail tech enthusiasts on the social media platform. These are the articles that are currently on their radars, including Asda, Penny Black, Marie Curie, AiFi, JUXTA, and Pocket Planet.
PMC announced as headline sponsor of the 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards, winners to be announced in November
The RTIH Innovation Awards are back for 2023, and we’re delighted to announce that PMC will once again be the headline sponsor.
The event recognises and celebrates retailers and vendors at the forefront of technology innovation.
Spread over 19 different categories, including two brand new categories for 2023, 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 and Walmart.
The awards culminate in a fantastic ceremony, complete with a drinks reception and three-course meal at the Barbican arts centre in London 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.
Simon Curtis, Chief Commercial Officer at PMC, says: “We have been proud sponsors of the RTIH Innovation Awards since their inception, and I am pleased to see them grow year-on-year, mirroring the incredible growth and innovation we continue to see across the retail industry.”
“I wish all the entrants the best of luck and look forward to seeing the winners announced in November.”
Asda works with Attensi as it goes live with gamified checkout system learning at Goldthorpe store
Asda is testing out gamified learning for those employees getting to grips with its new checkout system.
This has been taking place at the grocery giant’s Goldthorpe store in Rotherham, in partnership with Attensi.
In a LinkedIn post, Bruce Gibb, Learning Design Manager at Asda, said: “Gamified learning in Asda is live! Delighted to have landed new checkout training in line with our new checkout system in the pilot store this weekend.”
He added: “This has been a project I have been lead on since taking my Learning Design role on and it’s fantastic to see it come to life.”
“The reaction from the Goldthorpe store leadership and colleagues has been fantastic, they transitioned from the games to the live environment effortlessly and the competitive nature of the solution engaged a desire to practice and repeat, driving confidence and capability.”
“A massive thank you to Owen Smith (Senior Manager Learning - Transformation at Asda) for his leadership, support and guidance while I’ve worked on this.”
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.
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.
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.
Digital product passports from Fabacus launch in latest Nobody's Child x Fearne Cotton clothing line
Fashion brand Nobody’s Child has announced the launch of digital product passports (DPPs), enabling shoppers to make more conscious and informed choices when buying products.
The initial roll-out will be across the Happy Place Fearne Cotton collection which will be available online and at Nobody’s Child stores, as well as key retail partner, M&S.
Plans are afoot to have the DPPs across all garments by the end of 2024.
Scanned by a smartphone, each QR code takes the customer on a journey of that product’s creation.
The DPP has been designed with upcoming EU product transparency legislation in mind, ensuring that all key product information is captured and catalogued using Xelacore technology.
Powered by Fabacus, Nobody’s Child has harnessed its Xelacore technology to track and translate the gathering of numerous data points, mapping key stages of the supply chain from processing of the raw materials, through to the yarn and fabric mills, and finally to the garment factories where the final products are sewn together.
On scanning the DPP via a QR code in the care label, consumers will be taken to a landing page which includes the product's lifecycle carbon footprint, taking account for raw materials, finished good manufacturing, logistics, packaging, product care and end-use.
The page will also provide product care advice to help customers make their item last longer, as well as links to circular service partners – repair/alterations, rental and pre-loved.
People will be encouraged to trace their garments and visiting the Nobody’s Child DPP will be incentivised with gifts and the ability to download a unique non-fungible token (NFT) by way of a digital receipt, via a collaboration with Coinbase.
Unique spaces: University of San Diego taps AiFi tech for new checkout free convenience store
The University of San Diego has retrofitted a Smart Market mini-convenience store located within its Knauss Center for Business Education with AiFi technology.
This allows shoppers to select food and drink items and walk out without waiting in line or scanning to pay.
Customers scan a dedicated store app upon entry to identify themselves.
Journey of a lifetime: JUXTA announces Stateside launch of Nomad autonomous, portable micro store
JUXTA reports that its inaugural product, Nomad, an autonomous, portable micro store, is now available throughout the USA.
The startup says that Nomad will “help retailers take their brand beyond the traditional bricks and mortar convenience store, allowing them to get closer to consumers than ever before”.
In a LinkedIn post, Om Shankar, CEO at JUXTA, said: “31st August 2023, the biggest day of my professional career. Today we officially launch JUXTA, and I can’t wait to see how Nomad helps our customers as they look to craft their own retail growth stories with #targetedretailanywhere.”
He added: “The response has been overwhelming so far. We’ve spent the last few years innovating - truly innovating! - and it’s been the journey of a lifetime.”
“To my team, you lot are absolute rockstars. We got to this point in 18 months – from ideation to launch – that is absolutely unheard of. I’m forever grateful for your drive and relentless focus as we’ve sprinted our way to this point.”
“To Vontier and Gilbarco Veeder-Root, our parent companies - so thankful for the commitment to innovation and JUXTA's strategy as we’ve built this business together. Lots more noise to come from us soon – onwards!”
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.
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.
Crunch Fitness becomes first gym to deploy Amazon One palm-based entry for members
Crunch Fitness has become the first fitness brand to introduce the Amazon One palm recognition service as an entry option for its members. This is now available at select locations in the US.
Members who choose this option no longer need their Crunch membership tags or mobile app to enter. They can instead hover their palm over an Amazon One device to enter a facility.
Amazon One is currently being piloted at nine Crunch clubs across the US, including five in San Francisco, three in the New York City, and one in the Los Angeles area, with more locations rolling out the technology in the coming months.
Crunch has been piloting the solution for the last four months. It says that at participating gyms, 80% of members are already using Amazon One for entry.
Pocket Planet preps immersive experiential attraction launch in Oxford Street, London
Miniature world specialist, Pocket Planet, has announced details of a new immersive experiential attraction for London’s Oxford Street.
A 30,000 square foot space, located at 500 Oxford Street, this will tap the latest audio visual technologies and feature large scale model landscapes of UK landmarks.
The development will also open a retail and cafe offering in spring next year, in addition to an exhibit the year after.
“Our plan for Pocket Planet is for it to become the UK’s largest indoor miniature world and London’s favourite attraction,” says Mark Vlassopulos, CEO at Pocket Planet.
“Our ambition is to create the best and most attractive million-plus visitation tourist attraction in the UK. The site we have is incredible: we have 30,000 square feet with 50 metres of frontage at 500 Oxford Street right between Marble Arch and Bond Street tube station.”
“It is the tourism hotspot of the UK and Pocket Planet will be a special space - an attraction on the scale of something that London hasn’t seen before. It will be a visual delight, both for the models and the groundbreaking audio visual elements.”
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