RTIH presents its most read retail technology articles from this week
Check out the RTIH articles that caught your fancy this past week, including Asda, Vista Technology Support, Barron McCann, Glory Global Solutions, and the 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards.
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 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 on 29th November 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.
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.”
Retail tech 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.
Vista Technology Support CEO James Pepper talks retail and hospitality tech 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.
Macy’s veteran Melanie Zimmermann joins Criteo to lead the company’s global retail media practice
Criteo has announced the appointment of Melanie Zimmermann to lead its global retail media practice.
Zimmermann joins from Macy’s, where she built its Media Network, the company’s retail media network that reaches more than 46 million customers across Macy's and Bloomingdale's and is said to influence more than 440 million transactions online and in-store.
In her most recent role as VP, Head of Macy’s Media Network, she was responsible for developing and executing strategy and leading all retail media operations from media planning, sales, campaign management and analytics.
At Criteo, Zimmermann will report to Chief Revenue Officer Brian Gleason and her team will be in charge of driving the global vision and strategy of Criteo’s retail media practice and forging alignment across regions.
She will also play a pivotal role in retail media product strategy and prioritisation, closely connecting commercial needs and product development.
RTIH Innovation Awards winner Barron McCann discusses top retail tech trends and priorities for 2024
Gary Piper is Sales Director at Barron McCann, which provides IT services to customers throughout the UK and Europe, and works across retail, hospitality, travel, banking and payments. The company was recently highly commended for its work with Pets at Home at the 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards and here, Piper shares his thoughts on the retail tech space ahead of 2024.
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.
As a member of the executive leadership team, he will also work closely with the product and go-to-market functions to ensure all departments are aligned on the firm’s vision and objectives in the face of market demands.
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