For the first time in 2024 RTIH presents its 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 Sook, Glory Global Solutions, Flooid, Vista Technology Support, Asda, NewStore, Sodexo Live!, and AiFi.
Glory Global Solutions set to acquire UK-based retail technology specialist Flooid
Glory Global Solutions (International), a wholly owned subsidiary of Glory, has announced plans to acquire 100% of the issued share capital of Flooid, a specialist in cloud-based unified commerce software to the retail industry, from Inflexion Private Equity Partners.
Headquartered in Coventry, UK with operations in the USA, Flooid has clients across Europe, North America and South Africa including M&S, John Lewis Partnership, Walgreens, Hudson News, Pick’n’Pay and Woolworths.
Akihiro Harada, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Glory Global Solutions, says:, “The acquisition of Flooid will be a significant strategic step for Glory.”
“Their core value proposition for retailers around enhancing operational efficiency, reducing cost, delivering a seamless customer experience and having a positive environmental effect are in lock-step with those of Glory’s existing solutions.”
“The addition of Flooid will build not just on our present retail solutions portfolio, it will expand our annuity revenue streams driven by their software as a service business model.”
2023 RTIH Innovation Awards winners announced during glittering ceremony in central London
In November, we announced the winning submissions for the 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards, sponsored by PMC, FreedomPay, Worldpay from FIS, CADS, 3D Cloud by Marxent, Goodays, and Vista Technology Support.
Our winners were revealed during an event which took place at the Barbican Centre in central London and included a drinks reception in the stunning Conservatory, followed by a Christmas themed three course meal, and awards presentation in the Garden Room.
Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, says: “Since we launched the awards in 2019, they have gone from strength to strength and holding them at the Barbican Centre, a much loved, internationally acclaimed venue, is going to be a tough one to top.”
“Thanks to all those who entered the 2023 awards, many of whom were at our event last night. We received a record number of submissions this year and many fantastic examples of the continued resilience and dynamism of the retail space during hugely challenging times.”
“Congratulations to our 2023 winners and highly commended submissions.”
“To quote a member of our judging panel: “What a year, these awards are really going from strength to strength. There were many categories in there that were so difficult to call. Very worthy entries and winners.”
Further information on all our 2023 entries can be found here.
2023 RTIH Innovation Awards Roundtable: future of retail is blended and data and experience led
Ahead of the 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony on 29th November, industry experts from the likes of Primark, Footasylum, Headlam, Marie Curie, Crew Clothing, Studenac and EE came together for a roundtable discussion at the Frobrisher Boardroom at the Barbican in the City of London, with the latter two sharing experiential case studies with EY, IGD, PMC, CADS, and others.
Selected excerpts here.
Asda raids rival grocery retailer Morrisons to bring in Matt Kelleher as new Chief Digital Officer
Asda has confirmed the appointment of its first Chief Digital Officer as it focuses on evolving how it uses data to improve its customer offer, part of an ambition to be the UK’s second largest grocery retailer (a position currently held by Sainsbury’s).
Matt Kelleher will join the supermarket in July from rival Morrisons, where he has held the role of Chief Information Officer.
In his new role, he will take on responsibility for Asda’s data and e-commerce functions. He will also lead all of the retailer’s technology functions once its ongoing tech transformation project ‘Future’ is complete.
He will join Asda’s executive leadership team led by co-owner Mohsin Issa.
2023 RTIH Innovation Awards winner NewStore appoints Ben Hoskins as Chief Technology Officer
Ben Hoskins has joined NewStore as its Chief Technology Officer. In this role, he will lead the omnichannel store solution specialist’s global engineering team while spearheading its overall technology vision, culture, and operations.
Hoskins has spent more than 25 years leading the technology strategies for the likes of eBay, Wayfair, and OLX and startups such as Spark Networks and Billie.
Vista Technology Support CEO James Pepper talks retail and hospitality technology trends to watch in 2024
2023 brought with it a broad range of macro-economic challenges for the retail and hospitality industry, not only did organisations continue to adapt to post-pandemic changes in consumer buying behaviours but had to contend with rising operational costs, staff shortages and significant increases in stock loss through theft.
In late 2023, there was a noticeable trend that retailers that had previously held back on technology investments, were now committing to introducing new technology in stores; these technologies provide the invaluable connection between online and physical retail.
UK grocery giant Asda supports initiative aimed at getting more girls into technology space
Asda has partnered with Girls in Data to provide workshops to over 200 girls in classrooms across West Yorkshire, with the aim of encouraging them to pursue careers in technology.
A group of colleagues from the Asda Data Team, together with support from Girls in Data, delivered the GiD curriculum this year.
The courses are delivered in a classroom setting across schools in Yorkshire, targeted at girls and delivered in a full day. The curriculum includes: cryptography, Power Bi, Scratch Advanced and Smart Devices Group Task.
In total, the programme reached c225 students in 2023.
RELEX Solutions announces acquisition of supply chain planning and optimisation provider Optimity
RELEX Solutions, a provider of unified supply chain and retail planning solutions, has acquired Optimity, a supply chain planning and optimisation specialist.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
RELEX says that this will bolster its retail and supply chain platform with daily production planning, optimisation and production scheduling capabilities.
“The consumer goods industry is incredibly dynamic and complex. Acquiring Optimity will seamlessly link downstream demand with upstream planning, so consumer goods companies can more accurately predict consumer demand, optimise production plans and schedules, adjust inventory levels, and respond quickly to market changes or unexpected disruptions,” says Mikko Kärkkäinen, Co-founder and Group CEO, RELEX.
“This acquisition also further accelerates our vision towards an adaptive, autonomous and synchronised supply chain unifying demand and supply planning decisions in one platform to minimize all wasted cost and product. We warmly welcome the Optimity team to RELEX.”
Retail technology innovation of the week: Sodexo Live! teams with AiFi to deliver frictionless stadium store
Retail Technology Innovation of the Week is a new series brought to you by RTIH and sponsored by 3D Cloud by Marxent, highlighting stand out deployments, launches, and initiatives by retailers and tech suppliers.
And we’re kicking off 2024 with Sodexo Live!, the venue partner of Brighton & Hove Albion since 2013, which has made a significant investment at the American Express Stadium, to enhance the experience for fans and guests alike.
Last month saw the launch of a new retail store, the West Stand Tap, which is fully automated and allows guests to walk up, scan their payment device (card or phone), grab what they want and then walk out to complete their purchase.
The aim is to provide fans with a quick service retail solution that offers key items on matchday. Items available include a selection of beer, lager, cider, soft drinks and pies and sausage rolls from local favourite Piglet’s Pantry.
Sook founder John Hoyle devastated as he announces closure of retail pop-up space provider
Sook, a UK-based startup that operated in the pop-up retail space, has shut up shop after failing to raise sufficient funding.
In a LinkedIn post, founder John Hoyle, said: “I’m devastated to announce the closure of Sook.”
“In spite of the extraordinary efforts of our team, growing sales and achieving international scale we were unable to raise sufficient investment to continue in the current environment.”
He added: “I’m so proud of all that we achieved and incredibly sad that we cannot continue. Please support our team members as they search for new roles.”
“They have first hand experience of disrupting the retail and real estate sectors during incredibly challenging times. Thank you to everyone who supported us over the last five years.”
Check out our LinkedIn page here.
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