Including Vinted, Ocula, Exotec, and Sensei: RTIH’s most read retail technology articles from last week
Check out the articles on this here website that caught your fancy last week, including Vinted under fire, Sensei and Ocula on the rise, robots in warehouses, and checkout-free stores at airports.
Channel 4 Dispatches focuses on dark side of Vinted including fake products and misogynistic websites
Despite going against Vinted’s terms and conditions, the documentary flags a significant number of fake products being sold on the platform.
Flynn also found that there were users who were selling prohibited products, such as open and used beauty items. Recalled products were also in circulation, such as baby sleeping bags and self-feeding baby pillows, as well as some prescription drugs.
Some users have also experienced harassment, hateful language and inappropriate and unwanted messages and images, including a man who suffered threats of violence over a cancelled order.
Elsewhere, Flynn discovered a website where people stole images of women demonstrating and selling items on Vinted and sexualised them alongside derogatory comments..
One of these women, 28-year-old Lydia, appears on the TV programme and comments: “It’s very disturbing. I had no idea this was happening, and it has made me feel extremely unsafe.”
The site, which went by the absolutely foul name of Vinted Sluts and had the tagline ‘When you sell your clothes, but you want the attention’, has now been closed down.
Autonomous retail technology firm Sensei raises €15 million and preps European expansion and new store
Sensei, a Portuguese startup focused on the autonomous retail technology space, has secured €15 million in a Series A funding round.
Taking the total raised to €21 million, this will enable the company to expand across Europe, particularly in central and northern regions, while also opening what is pitched as the world’s largest autonomous store next year.
Involving existing investors like Metro AG and Techstars Ventures, the round was led by BlueCrow Capital, with the participation of Lince Capital, Explorer Investments, and Kamay Ventures (the investment arm of Coca-Cola and Arcor Group).
Vasco Portugal, CEO and Co-founder at Sensei, says: “We are driven by a relentless obsession to deliver the ultimate store experience. Our technology operates invisibly within the store environment, yet it has a massive impact - enhancing the shopping journey for consumers and driving operational efficiency for retailers."
Using computer vision, AI powered sensors, and real-time algorithms, Sensei creates an environment where customers can shop without waiting in queues or manually scanning items. As they do so, their cart is automatically updated, and at checkout, the system displays a ready-to-pay list of items - allowing customers to pay however they prefer, while their identity and privacy are fully protected.
Ocula announces £4 million Series A funding round alongside new AI powered e-commerce solution
UK-based AI driven e-commerce solution provider, Ocula Technologies, has closed a £4 million Series A funding round.
The includes investments from NYO Capital and Jose Luis Gomes, and follows a £3.25 million led by Praetura Ventures in August.
Gomes brings a wealth of experience from his role leading Google Cloud’s North American Retail & Consumer division. He also holds positions on numerous advisory boards, including that of CapitalG, Alphabet’s independent growth fund.
Prior to Google, he worked at dunnhumby, leading its North American operations.
And the investment marks NYO Capital’s first venture into the European market. The firm says that it is committed to bolstering Ocula’s expansion in the US market, enhancing its visibility and reach in the North American e-commerce landscape.
Intel first onboard as Future Stores blends retail and digital innovation on London’s Oxford Street
A new retail store opens its doors on Oxford Street this week, ahead of its official launch on 30th October, with those behind it promising a new era that blends the latest technology powered by Intel, bricks and mortar as well as state of the art graphics.
Future Stores is laying claim to a £20 million investment in a personalised experience that, according to a press release, is “as fluid as a social media feed, featuring a rotating lineup of brand ‘showcases’ or ‘activations’ that will change every two to six weeks”.
Intel is the first brand to take on the space, and will host an interactive, immersive and technology fuelled activation. Consumers can get hands on with the firm’s newly launched AI PCs and play games live in-store from 30th October.
Upon entering the two floor space, that spans an entire Oxford Street block, shoppers are met with 400m² of high definition Micro LED displays, monumental billboards, and cameras. Here, consumers connect with brands through live demos, tutorials, and showcases led by influencers and creators.
This experience is also complemented by insight and data, that shows, dwell time, customer journey as well as traffic both inside and outside the store. Other measurements such as gender and sentiment will be quick to follow in the new year.
Tony Hoggett calls time on SVP Worldwide Grocery Stores role at Amazon and eyes next step in career
Tony Hoggett, SVP Worldwide Grocery Stores at Amazon, is leaving the online retail giant as it continues to struggle to make inroads in to the hugely competitive grocery space.
A former Tesco executive, Hoggett started at Amazon in January 2022, and served on the company’s senior leadership team. His last day there will be 1st November.
In a LinkedIn post, he said: “After nearly three years at Amazon, it’s time for the next step in my career. My time there has been incredible, and I’m grateful to my colleagues for their support, guidance and friendship.”
“I’m optimistic about the work Amazon is doing to improve the grocery shopping experience for customers, and have no doubt the teams will keep the momentum going in my absence. I’ll be cheering you all on.”
Hoggett did not give further details as to his next career move.
Amazon Just Walk Out technology powered Hudson Nonstop checkout-free store opens at JFK Airport T4
A new Hudson Nonstop store, powered by Amazon's Just Walk Out technology, is now open in terminal four at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Travellers can enter the 803 square-foot store by using their credit card, mobile wallet, or their palm, via Amazon One. The store has a selection of snacks and beverages, travel essentials, tech needs, local treats, magazines, and more.
Automating warehouse activities: Exotec robots now processing first orders at Auchan Luxembourg
Auchan Retail Luxembourg has become the first retailer in Luxembourg to use Exotec's Skypod system, with deployment in its Dudelange warehouse.
At Auchan’s site, Exotec has installed 37 robots in the facility to automate order processing, with the aim of making the workload of warehouse employees lighter and more pleasant.
The installation consists of metres high racks in which the Skypod robots autonomously manoeuvre in all directions to extract products from 15,300 bins. They then take these to one of three picking stations, where the order is completed.
Rémy Malchirand, EVP Sales Western Europe, at Exotec says: “By automating warehouse activities, Auchan has significantly increased the quality and reliability of the order picking process, saving employees from a lot of walking and lifting and significantly improving working conditions.”
“This is fully in line with our human first philosophy, in which we constantly make efforts to make work in the warehouse as comfortable and safe as possible.”
McDonald’s UK extends Uber Direct tie up as fast food giant chases more app delivery orders
McDonald’s UK & Ireland has extended its partnership with Uber Direct, Uber’s white label delivery solution.
Uber Direct, which utilises the Uber Eats courier network, will be a big part of McDonald’s push to grow delivery orders through its app. Its technology allows people to track delivery from their local restaurant to their door and access 24/7 customer service if additional support is ever required.
Simon Duffy, Delivery Director, McDonald’s UK & Ireland, says: “We’re building a digital ecosystem that empowers us to create more personalised experiences and connect with our customers throughout their McDonald’s journey like never before.”
“As part of this journey, we are excited to continue our partnership with Uber Direct, our trusted MyMcDonald’s app delivery partner. Together we can continue to delight our customers by allowing them to order their McDonald’s favourites straight to their door.”
Liam Price exits FatFace to take on Global E-commerce Director role at British fashion retailer AllSaints
Liam Price has joined AllSaints as Global E-commerce Director. He was previously at FatFace where he served as Head of Digital (Digital Director).
On leaving FatFace, he said: “After nearly four incredible years, my journey at FatFace is sadly coming to an end. Over the past few years, the business has gone from strength to strength, and I’m immensely proud to have played a small part in that success. I’m now excited to see what’s next for this fantastic brand as it enters a new chapter.”
“A huge thank you and big shout out to my team for your resilience, dedication, and hard work - you’ve been instrumental to our success and should be very proud of everything we’ve achieved.”
On his new job, Price added: “I’m really excited to announce I’ve joined the amazing team at AllSaints and John Varvatos as Global E-commerce Director. The team has been so welcoming and I couldn’t be more excited to be part of these iconic brands.”
Lightspeed Commerce announces on-demand delivery tie up with Uber Direct and Uber Eats marketplace
Lightspeed Commerce and Uber are partnering to directly integrate Uber Direct and Uber Eats marketplace into the former’s platform.
This will enable Lightspeed merchants to list their menu offerings on and take orders from the Uber Eats marketplace, which is accessed by millions of monthly active platform consumers; and take orders from their own branded website through Lightspeed’s Click and Collect solution Order Anywhere, then access delivery via Uber Direct, allowing them to pay only the associated delivery fee without the added cost of developing their own custom delivery fleet.
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