High profile departures and metaverse shopping experiences: 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 Flexport, Books-A-Million, Walmart, Crunch Fitness, Amazon One, Marks & Spencer, Pocket Planet, and Ted Baker.
12…Dave Clark, the former longtime Amazon executive, has resigned as CEO at Flexport, a logistics company he joined just 12 months ago.
231…It was National Read a Book Day this week and Books-A-Million marked 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.”
1…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.
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.
500…SymphonyAI Retail CPG has been selected by Marks & Spencer for computer vision and AI-based intelligence capabilities across more than 500 stores.
The UK retailer will deploy AI-based technology on handheld devices that compares images captured of products in stores to store specific planograms, providing an instant view of compliance on shelves.
Rob Barnes, Chief Technology Officer, M&S says: “As we reshape M&S for growth, we’re investing in technology that will create greater efficiencies and a more connected in-store experience for our customers.”
“Through our partnership with SymphonyAI Retail CPG, our colleagues will be able to leverage AI-based technology to help them deliver an exceptional service to our customers.”
30,000…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.
£1.5 million…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.
132…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.
25…Clare Harrison-Empson has left Ted Baker where she spent almost 25 years, most recently serving as Director of Operations, with responsibility for leading teams across global shipping, logistics, procurement, property and health and safety functions for the company.
82%…With blockchain technology ushering in a new digital era in the form of Web 3.0, a new Toluna study explores consumer perceptions of emerging concepts, such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and the metaverse.
Research was conducted among 10,500+ people aged 18+ across 19 global markets in May.
82% of UK respondents are aware of the metaverse, while one-third have both heard of it and know what it means.
When asked about the activities they are most interested in experiencing within the metaverse, Brits rank shopping first (43%), closely followed by watching TV and movies (40%), then gaming (33%) and learning (32%).
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