Including Amazon JWO, Primark, and Rite Aid: last week’s biggest retail technology plays at a glance

RTIH rounds up the stand out retail systems deals, launches, deployments and pilots from the past seven days. Including Klarna, Crew Clothing Company, BigCommerce, Mapp, Windsor, Manhattan Associates, The Co-op Media Network, Starship Technologies, Bolt, and 3D Cloud.

Amazon

Two new Amazon Just Walk Out stores have launched with Levy Restaurants at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home of the Indiana Pacers and Fever.

This is Amazon’s first technology replacement project as the company reports venues partnering with Just Walk Out technology as a long-term strategic partner for scale.

Rite Aid

Pharmacy retailer, Rite Aid, has announced a new partnership with Klarna, which made its name in the buy now pay later space but nowadays pitches itself as an AI powered payments network and shopping assistant, to offer customers the Pay in 4 payment option for purchases across all stores.

“We continue to enhance the in-store shopping experience with modern, flexible services so everyday shopping is simpler and more accessible,” says Jeanniey Walden, Chief Marketing Officer at Rite Aid.

“This collaboration with Klarna reinforces our dedication to customer centric solutions that empower our customers to make purchases with confidence and ease, while maintaining access to the essential products they rely on.”

Crew Clothing Company

Crew Clothing Company is working with BigCommerce to power its e-commerce operation and will be re-platforming its multiple brands with the support of IDHL.

In a LinkedIn post, BIgCommerce said: “Our API first approach and multi-storefront capabilities will enable Crew Clothing Company to cater its multiple brands at a lower cost and a faster time to market.”

The Co-op Media Network

The Co-op Media Network (CMN) is set to install 300 new front-of-store digital media screens to boost its retail media offering, taking the total number of screens to over 9,000 across its store estate.

In partnership with SMG, the move will expand CMN’s digital capabilities and enable FMCG brands to deepen their engagement across Co-op’s stores, which see over 16 million transactions each week.

The roll-out – in collaboration with installation partners, Commercial, and software partners, Grassfish – will see digital screens introduced to 300 of Co-op’s highest footfall, urban locations, including Greater London (12%), Greater Manchester (5%) and North Yorkshire (2.5%), with 24 stores planned to go live each week until January 2025.

This will take the total number of digital screens across Co-op’s 2,400 stores to over 9,300 – including its current kiosk and customer facing screens at manned tills – providing multiple opportunities for brands to work with CMN on their in-store campaigns, focusing on key missions such as food-to-go, food-for-later and treat occasions.

Mapp

MarTech specialist and marketing cloud provider, Mapp, has announced the launch of Mapp AI Chat. The tool is designed to transform how marketers analyse their data and extract actionable insights to optimise marketing campaigns.

As part of the Mapp AI Assistant package, it is powered by ChatGPT4o algorithms and enables marketers to ‘talk with their data’ - all while ensuring full data confidentiality.

This simplifies the process of understanding and analysing complex information. It also answers questions, provides explanations, offers actionable recommendations, and performs advanced data analysis in real-time.

Primark

Primark has opened a new store in Montijo, Portugal, its first in the country to feature self-service checkouts.

In a LinkedIn post, Stephen Regan, Group Board Executive at Primark, dated Friday, 11th October, said: “Wrapping up the week in a very special way by celebrating the opening of our brand new store in Montijo, Portugal. This is a very special moment for the Primark Portugal team as it's the first new store in the Portuguese market in seven years, the 11th store in Portugal, and the 452nd globally.”

“It's also the first Portuguese store to offer self-service checkouts and the first to open as part of our €40 million investment announcement in the market.”

He added: “I was delighted to visit the store yesterday and it looks amazing. I am sure our customers will love the modern aesthetic and the immersive shopping experience they will have in Montijo, which includes a distinct scent and curated soundtrack.”

“The team has done a fantastic job, so huge congratulations and a big well done to everyone who supported with this opening. An incredible achievement for everyone involved and our business. Best of luck to the Montijo team with their opening weekend!”

Noble Macmillan

Live commerce startup Confer With has announced a new partnership with luxury British brand, Noble Macmillan.

In a LinkedIn post, Teresa Lawrence, Director at Confer With, said: “We're committed to delivering exceptional online experiences, and we’re excited to help elevate Noble Macmillan’s customer journey with our immersive live video shopping technology. Together, we'll bring the personal touch of in-store shopping to their online customers, providing expert advice and bespoke recommendations in real-time.”

Starship Technologies and Bolt

Starship Technologies and Bolt have announced the launch of a new food delivery service. As the first roll-out of the commercial partnership agreed between the two Estonian founded firms last year, this collaboration in Tallinn is pitched as the first of its kind in Europe. 

Over 180,000 residents can now use an eco-friendly delivery option via the Bolt Food app from three Bolt Market stores in Tallinn. Robot deliveries will be free to customers during the launch period.

Ahti Heinla, Co-founder and CEO at Starship Technologies, comments: “We're thrilled to launch with Bolt today, bringing autonomous food delivery to even more customers in Tallinn.”

“This collaboration is not just about convenience and greater choice; by integrating our robots into the Bolt Food app, we're offering a sustainable, scalable last mile delivery solution that reduces local traffic and emissions. It's an exciting step forward for both companies as we continue to innovate and pave the way for greener cities across Europe.”

Fellowes

Fellowes, which operates in the contract interiors space, is partnering with 3D Cloud, a specialist in 3D product visualisation and 3D digital asset management.

Through this collaboration, Fellowes aims to provide its dealers and independent sales representatives with 3D product configurators and immersive lifestyle imagery to drive more sales in the contract office furniture market.

"We needed a solution that would allow us to work faster and smarter," says Todd Holderness, GM, Contract Interiors at Fellowes. "With 3D Cloud, we're able to streamline the visualisation of complex modular products like never before."

"Configuring and selling modular walls is a significant challenge in our industry, but 3D Cloud makes it easier to manage that complexity," Holderness adds. “Their platform allows us to present our highly variable wall systems and office solutions in a way that's both engaging and efficient for our dealers and independent sales reps."

Windsor

Women’s fashion retailer, Windsor, has selected Manhattan Associate’s Active Point of Sale (PoS) as it looks to provide a seamless omnichannel shopping experience to its young, digital native consumer. Implementation across its 300+ store network is underway.

Windsor's decision to upgrade from its existing PoS solution to Manhattan Active PoS was driven by its growth and desire for a flexible solution that can change with today’s dynamic retail environment. Manhattan’s cloud native PoS is automatically updated with new features and functions every quarter.

"Windsor’s implementation of Manhattan Active Point of Sale will give their store associates the cutting-edge tools to provide a superior shopping experience,” says Bob Howell, Executive Vice President, Americas, at Manhattan.

“We're thrilled to provide this top apparel retailer with a robust Point of Sale solution that continuously adapts and easily scales with their needs."