Fun stores and fast food: check out our biggest retail technology articles on LinkedIn this week
We’re big fans of LinkedIn and are busy building an amazing community of retail tech enthusiasts on the social media platform. As we head towards the 20,000 followers mark, these are the articles that are currently on their radars, including TPP Retail, Fixtuur, Pricer, Vroom Delivery, Uber Direct, Burger King UK, CarrefourSA, Simbe, Walmart, and Dexory.
TPP Retail appoints former Dune Group and Morley Department Stores exec Dave Abbott as Technical Director
Dave Abbott has joined the TPP Retail leadership team in the new role of Technical Director.
TPP Retail focuses on improving store processes via the likes of shelf-edge labelling, sale and price markdown, Click and Collect, and stock management.
Abbott was previously Head of Technology at Morley Department Stores, and has also served as Head of IT Service Delivery & In-store Technology at The Dune Group.
In a LinkedIn post, James Ussher-Smith, Managing Director at TPP Retail Group, said: “Having worked with Dave on and off through various roles for 10+ years, I know first hand how great he is at crafting technology solutions that deliver real innovation, as well as building and managing high performing and happy teams.”
“At our stage and pace of growth, we need some of the valuable experience that Dave can bring both to our business but also to our customers. Four weeks in, it's been a really positive start and the benefits are visible already.”
“Although of course, we are only just getting started, and have so many great plans ahead of us. Plus, we are having a lot of fun working together!”
Pricer onboard with Eurostars funded SELECT project to advance development of sustainable electronics
In-store automation and communication solutions provider, Pricer, has announced its participation in the SELECT (Sustainable Electronics for Energy Harvesting Applications) project, which has received funding through the Eurostars programme, pitched at SMEs collaborating on Research & Development (R&D) projects.
The SELECT initiative brings together innovators from across Europe to develop a scalable platform for energy harvesting technologies, aimed at reducing the environmental impact of electronic devices.
Pricer is focused on the development of batteryless electronic shelf labels (ESLs) for use in retailers’ stores. By leveraging energy harvesting technologies, these are designed to operate without traditional batteries, and instead draw power from indoor ambient light.
“We are excited to be part of the SELECT project and to work alongside some of Europe’s top innovators in this field,” says Chris Chalkitis, Chief Digital Officer at Pricer.
“This project represents a significant step forward in our efforts to develop sustainable, energy-efficient solutions for our customers. We believe that the advancements made through this collaboration will have a lasting positive impact on both the environment and the retail industry.”
Visual commerce platform firm Fixtuur lands multi-million pound investment for global expansion push
UK-based visual commerce platform provider Fixtuur has secured an undisclosed (said to be multi-million-pound) investment round led by Maven Capital Partners.
It has also appointed Steve Klin as its Chairman and Charlie Sharland, as a Non-Executive to the board.
David Thomson, CEO at Fixtuur, says: “We are thrilled to receive this backing from Maven Capital Partners. Their continued support validates our significant progress in scaling Fixtuur and demonstrates their trust in our vision for the future.”
“Having Steve Klin and Charlie Sharland onboard adds unparalleled expertise to our leadership team. Their knowledge and experience will be invaluable as we continue to scale globally and enhance the impact of our platform.”
Vroom Delivery partners with Uber Direct to offer alcohol delivery via Pennsylvania convenience retailers
Vroom Delivery has partnered with Uber to enable alcohol delivery for its convenience retailers in Pennsylvania via the Uber Direct platform.
Retailers will be able to offer alcohol delivery on their apps and websites to consumers through Vroom Delivery’s first-party ordering software, with orders delivered by Uber couriers.
Orders must adhere to all state requirements. For example, there are regulatory limits on the volume of beer and wine that can be placed in a single order that must be enforced by the online ordering platform, Vroom Delivery. couriers delivering via Uber Direct are also required to attain physical or digital permits to deliver alcohol.
“Helping retailers meet their customers’ expectations and grow their businesses through their own channels is at the heart of what Uber Direct offers," says Bernie Huddlestun, General Manager of Uber Direct for US and Canada.
"Research shows 75% of consumers expect express delivery as an option. By working with Vroom Delivery to help make alcohol delivery possible for Pennsylvania retailers in a seamless way, we look forward to helping local businesses meet their customers’ expectations and continue to grow.”
Walmart claims a first as SpongeBob SquarePants fans head into 25th anniversary augmented reality experience
This month, SpongeBob fans will be able to unlock the Rainbow SpongeBob back accessory for their Roblox avatar. Additional free virtual items will drop in November and December, including a Jellyfish Surfing Patrick & Clarineting Squidward, respectively.
And to celebrate the free virtual items and 25th anniversary of SpongeBob, Walmart is inviting fans to go underwater in Bikini Bottom with the reskin of its Walmart Discovered augmented reality experience.
People will be able to see the free virtual item, complete a quest for free UGC, and try on and buy seasonal UGC.
Justin Breton, Head of Brand Marketing Innovation at Walmart, says: “This is the first time any brand has partnered with an IP to provide a series of collectible free virtual items with the purchase of a Roblox gift card, bringing this fandom something special for the holiday season.”
“And a shoutout to our partners at Paramount and Nickelodeon for their enthusiasm and willingness to do something new & exciting for our customers and their fans of SpongeBob.”
Delivery orders placed via Burger King UK app to tap same tech and courier network that powers Uber Eats
Uber Direct, Uber’s white label delivery solution, has announced an exclusive partnership with Burger King UK, to provide its customers with rapid deliveries through the fast food chain’s app.
The app also rewards customers with exclusive delivery deals and the opportunity to earn loyalty points with each order.
Delivery orders placed through the Burger King UK app will leverage the same technology and courier network that powers Uber Eats. Uber’s technology provides customers with real-time tracking from their local restaurant to their delivery address and 24/7 customer support for orders, should they need it.
The first phase of the roll-out has begun, with full deployment expected across the Burger King UK estate by the end of the year.
Turkish retailer CarrefourSA deploys Simbe’s Tally AI and automation solution across select stores
US-based Simbe has announced international expansion into Turkey with CarrefourSA, a subsidiary of Sabanci Holding and Carrefour which operates in over 1,200 stores in 64 provinces and employs a workforce of 15,000.
This comes on the heels of new and expanded deployments with Northeast Grocery, TOPS Friendly Markets, Price Chopper Supermarkets-Market 32, SpartanNash, and Wakefern Food Corp.
CarrefourSA deployed Simbe’s Tally AI and automation solution into select stores this summer. Tally operates three times a day, scanning store aisles to ensure items are stocked and tagged properly.
The robot captures images of products and shelves and processes them in near real-time, which allows store personnel to quickly replenish any missing items. Additionally, Tally monitors and addresses issues related to incorrect labelling that customers may encounter during their shopping experience.
Dexory announces $80 million Series B funding round and focuses on expanding across the US market
Dexory, a robotics and data intelligence company, has closed an $80 million Series B funding round.
This was led by DTCP, with participation from Latitude Ventures, Wave-X and Bootstrap Europe, along with existing investors Atomico, Lakestar, Capnamic and several angels from the logistics industry. As part of this investment, DTCP’s Michael Rager joins Dexory’s board of directors.
The new funding, made up of a mix of equity and growth debt, will support an expansion of the firm’s artificial intelligence (AI) powered features across the DexoryView platform, grow its global team and accelerate the deployment of its autonomous robots with customers like GXO, Maersk, and DB Schenker.
A significant focus continues to be on expanding across the US market, where Dexory is already live with customers in seven states. The Series B will also enhance development and production facilities at its UK headquarters.
Dexory has now raised $120 million over the past three years.
Time is running out to enter the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards, deadline for submissions Friday, 25th October
There are only four weeks left to submit your entries for the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards.
Deadline for submissions is Friday, 25th October.
The awards, sponsored by CADS, 3D Cloud, Retail Technology Show 2025, and Business France celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
It's free to enter and you can do so across multiple categories.
Download our handy guide to entering the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards.
Key 2024 dates:
Friday, 25th October: Award entry deadline
Tuesday, 29th October: 2024 shortlist revealed
30th October-6th November: Judging days
Thursday, 21st November: Winners announced at the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards ceremony, to be held at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London.
For all entry related queries, please email our Editor and Founder, Scott Thompson: scott.thompson@retailtechinnovationhub.com
New research flags link between fun shopping experience and revenue growth in UK bricks and mortar retail
This identified which bricks and mortar stores UK consumers viewed as being the most ‘fun’. Eight out of the companies listed in the top ten have reported positive financial growth in their last (2023) audited accounts.
Seven out of the top ten reported a turnover growth greater than 5%.
Saturn CEO, Chris Welsh, says: “The findings underline how vital it is for retailers to imbue a sense of fun in their bricks and mortar stores.”
“The more fun and inspiring retailers can make their stores and extend the time their customers want to spend in-store, the more profitable they’re likely to be. Ikea for example has reported nearly a 12% growth in sales and was ranked as the most fun store in the UK by our survey.”
According to the survey of 2,000 Brits, the top ten most fun stores are:
1. Ikea
2. LEGO
3. TK Maxx
4. Lush
5. Build-a-Bear Workshop
6. Apple Store
7. HMV
8. Marks & Spencer (M&S)
9. Currys
10. The Entertainer
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