Life after Amazon for Tony Hoggett: RTIH rolls out the biggest retail technology news stories of the week
It’s Friday, the weekend is almost upon us, so let’s kick back and reflect on another eventful week for the retail systems space. Here's your briefing on the most important stories from the past five days, including Walmart, Sawhorse Productions, Sainsbury’s, M&S, Just Eat Takeaway.com, Akeneo, Quorso, Costa Coffee, Ikea, and the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards.
1. 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards: shortlisted entries announced including Ikea, Currys, Lowe’s, and Tesco
We’re pleased to announce the shortlists for the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards.
We received a record number of entries this year and many fantastic examples of the continued resilience and dynamism of the retail space during hugely challenging times.
Congratulations to all those who made it through the initial submission process!
It’s now over to our judging panel who will decide the winners to be announced at the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards ceremony, taking place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London.
The event will be held on Thursday, 21st November and consist of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.
To book your place at the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards ceremony on Thursday, 21st November, click here.
The awards, sponsored by Scala, CADS, 3D Cloud, Brightpearl by Sage’s Lightning 50, Business France, and Retail Technology Show 2025, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
2. Walmart enlists Sawhorse Productions as it steps into Zepeto metaverse with No Boundaries launch
Walmart’s young adult clothing brand, No Boundaries, has officially launched on Zepeto, an Asian avatar centric social universe.
In a LInkedIn post, Sawhorse Productions said: “Our team is thrilled to build on our work with Walmart to engage younger audiences by activating this rapidly growing UGC platform.”
“The NoBo drop includes ten virtual versions of pieces from the line’s fall collection. And we brought the community in by collaborating with Zepeto creator, Xexi, to design limited edition items. We also created a twisted prep photobooth backdrop, knowing that Zepeto users love the in-game photo booth function.”
It added: “Sawhorse is passionate about helping brands navigate the immersive/gaming space. Is Zepeto new to you? It’s a platform to watch - ultra fast growth, truly global user base and a highly engaged community.”
3. Marks and Spencer kicks off roll-out of self-checkouts in changing rooms despite shoplifting concerns
Marks and Spencer is bringing self-checkouts to its store changing rooms so that shoppers won’t have to join two queues when trying on and buying clothes.
The retailer is planning to roll-out self-service tills in 180 of its clothing stores by early 2028.
Operations Director Sacha Berendji told The Telegraph: “We’d like customers to be able to walk straight into the fitting room with no queue, try on what they’ve chosen, then pay there and just walk out.”
“Shoplifting is a major problem in this country, but there are things that we’re all doing to mitigate some of those losses.”
The new tills have thus far been introduced in 28 recently revamped stores.
4. Romain Fouache takes on Akeneo CEO role from Co-Founder Fred de Gombert who remains in game as President
Product information management (PIM) company, Akeneo, has announced the appointment of Romain Fouache as its new CEO, effective 4th November.
Fouache previously served as COO and CRO at AI platform firm Dataiku.
“I’m honoured to join Akeneo as it leads the market into a new era of PX, powered by AI and designed to guide consumers to the best purchase, anytime, anywhere,” says Fouache. “My mission is clear: to scale Akeneo’s operations, accelerate our growth, and deliver greater value to our customers worldwide.”
Fred de Gombert, Co-Founder and current CEO at Akeneo, will remain involved as President and member of the board of directors.
He comments: “After 12 amazing years as Akeneo’s CEO, I am deeply proud of everything we have accomplished. I’m confident that Romain is the right leader to take Akeneo forward. In 2024, our platform will generate more than four billion unique product experiences, a testament to the value we deliver to our customers. I believe Romain will build on this momentum to drive our mission forward.”
5. Industry veteran Tony Hoggett lands at Marc Lore’s Wonder following SVP of Grocery role at Amazon
Tony Hoggett, Amazon’s former SVP of Grocery, is joining Marc Lore's food delivery startup as its Chief Operating Officer, according to a report by Fortune.
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, Brittain Ladd, a supply chain consultant and former Amazon executive, said: “I’m disappointed that Kroger or Ahold Delhaize didn’t hire Tony to be their CEO. I was also hoping that Starbucks would hire him, and have him design and lead a programme similar to what he will be doing at Wonder.”
Wonder operates 27 fast casual restaurants in the northeast that offer around two dozen different cuisines or menus to diners out of a single location.
Although it owns meal kit company Blue Apron, Lore told Fortune that Hoggett’s hiring does not signal a desire to further expand into the grocery space. Instead, Hoggett will be responsible for opening and running tech enabled storefronts and their hourly staff.
He will also head up the fresh food supply chain Wonder depends on. Its meals are partially cooked at a central kitchen, before final touches are completed out of the company’s storefronts. Lore claims he will IPO within three to five years.
6. Walmart de México y Centroamérica taps Quorso Co-Pilot technology solution across retailer’s store network
Walmart de México y Centroamérica is deploying Quorso’s Co-Pilot across its 2,850 Bodega Aurrera and Walmart Supercenter stores.
The technology will be used to empower Walmart’s “tech powered, people led” strategy by digitising and simplifying activities.
“Walmart de México y Centroamérica uses technology to simplify our associates’ work and to improve the customer experience. Quorso is a valuable partner in our desire for continuous improvement,” says Portfolio Manager Leonardo Golfin.
“Walmart de México y Centroamérica has a reputation as one of the best operators globally,” says Quorso CEO Julian Mills. “We are delighted to partner with them and help them to implement our new technology across their store network.”
7. Just Eat Takeaway.com moves to next stage of in-car ordering system roll-out following UK launch
Customers in Ireland, Spain and Italy can now use text/touch commands to place orders using the in-car screen, with the feature also rolling out to Germany and Austria over the coming weeks.
The app is currently available in the Mercedes-Benz In-Car App Store for customers of select car lines including the new CLE , E-Class, C-Class and GLC with an activated “Entertainment Package Plus”.
Just Eat is also working with other major car brands to roll this out further and test similar features.
“We want to fit seamlessly into the lives of our network so we’re always looking at how best to evolve our technology to make using our platform as convenient as possible,” says Jessica Hall, Chief Product Officer, Just Eat Takeaway.com.
“For our customers, this means making the ordering journey as easy as possible, whether that’s supporting them to try new foods or find last minute groceries. For our partners, we want to provide them with a consistent end-to-end experience, to help them reach more customers and grow their businesses. Testing brand new innovations is one of the ways we do this.”
8. Ikea picks Hammersmith London as retailer opens its first Swedish restaurant on UK high street
Ikea has opened the doors to its first stand-alone restaurant on the UK high street. Shoppers in Hammersmith, London will now be able to drop in and enjoy the retailer’s iconic meatballs and other treats, on King Street.
This is the first time Ikea has created an exclusive dining space on the high street – opening next door to the newly revamped Hammersmith City store.
The space, formerly home to a Wasabi restaurant, has been kitted out to seat 75 diners, serving a range of Swedish dishes, and featuring self-service terminals.
“We know how much our customers love the Ikea restaurant and we’re excited to celebrate the opening of our very first high street restaurant,” says Matthew Gould, Market Manager at Ikea London City.
“Fans of our delicious dishes can recharge during their shopping trip with our famous Swedish meatballs, pop in for a traditional Swedish ‘fika’ break for coffee and a sweet treat, or find an affordable meal for the kids right on the high street.”
9. Smart Charge powered by Sainsbury’s hits new milestone with recent launch of Tamworth charging hub
Sainsbury’s reports a milestone with the launch of its latest ultra-rapid EV charging service. The unveiling of a new Smart Charge hub at its Tamworth store, Staffordshire means the grocery giant now has over 500 charging bays available up and down the country.
Smart Charge is pitched as the only ultra-rapid EV charging network that is owned and operated by a UK supermarket.
Like the rest of Sainsbury’s estate, it is powered by 100% renewable electricity, and it aims to make access to EV charging on-the-go more accessible while supporting the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
On average a new hub is opened every week and in just over a year, Smart Charge has launched over 500 charging bays across 62 sites so far.
10. Focus on innovative retail technology as Excel London and Costa Coffee complete overhaul of in-venue stores
Excel London and Costa Coffee have unveiled their refreshed in-venue stores, including touchscreen ordering systems.
With thousands of visitors attending Excel London every month, the venue prioritises efficiency and speed.
The upgrades to both Costa Coffee stores focus on innovative technologies to streamline the ordering process, ensuring more customers can place their order seamlessly to receive their coffee quicker than ever.
In addition to new touchscreen ordering systems, additional coffee machines have been installed to expedite service during peak hours. Both stores are also using staff headsets, making them the first non-drive thru Costa Coffee stores to implement this communication technology.
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