Starring RTS 2025, Asda, and Studenac: 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 Asda, Amazon, FoodMaxx, Benefit Cosmetics, Obsess, Intermarché, Instacart, 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 Vista Technology Support, Scayle, 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. Benefit Cosmetics enlists immersive e-commerce company Obsess for its first 3D virtual shopping experience

Benefit Cosmetics has announced the launch of its first virtual 3D shopping experience, The Benemart, in partnership with Obsess.

This is available in countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and France beginning 4th November. Shoppers will have a chance to add Benefit's sets to their digital cart, virtually try on their favourite products, shop with friends, and play games with a chance to win discounts at checkout.

"The Benemart is our very first 3D virtual shopping experience, and we are thrilled to welcome visitors inside to experience beauty like never before,” says Toto Haba, SVP Global Omnichannel Marketing at Benefit Cosmetics.

“This immersive shopping adventure blends our unique brand storytelling with the unforgettable, grocery inspired world that only Benefit can offer. Making people feel good and having fun is part of our DNA, so leading with entertainment to bring our holiday collection to life was a no-brainer.”

"Obsess has been a strong partner in creating a branded world that blends storytelling with play-driven discovery in a way that elicits the same kind of thrill as the in-store shopping experience. The virtual experience mimics a video game, which we know is something that will resonate with young digital shoppers."

3. Amazon announces launch of same-day grocery delivery service from FoodMaxx stores in California

Amazon is offering same-day grocery delivery from select FoodMaxx locations serving customers in Central and Northern California.

Customers in Bakersfield, Hayward, Sacramento, San Jose, and Turlock can now place grocery orders online.

Amazon is also expanding its existing grocery delivery service with Save Mart to three additional stores in Auburn, Bakersfield, and Chico, and with Lucky Supermarkets to four additional locations in Foster City, Hollister, Napa, and Oakley.

“FoodMaxx shares in our goal to offer tremendous price, selection, and convenience to grocery shoppers, so we’re thrilled to be able to provide fast delivery from Amazon to FoodMaxx customers throughout California,” says Christian Seitel, Head of US Grocery Partnerships at Amazon.

“We work with more than 20 grocery and specialty retailers globally to meet the needs of a broad range of customers and shoppers, and it’s through retailers like FoodMaxx that we’re able expand our grocery offering and deliver items from beloved neighbourhood brands like FoodMaxx to price conscious shoppers looking for the utmost value. We look forward to further building our relationship with them and the rest of The Save Mart Companies stores.”

4. Registration opens for Retail Technology Show 2025 as two-day event jumps from London Olympia to ExCel

Retail Technology Show (RTS) debuts at its new home, ExCeL London, on 2nd and 3rd April 2025.

And registration for the event is now open.

Expanding its show floor to meet exponential demand, the organisers of RTS 2025 promise to feature even more disruptive innovations, offering solutions that power every part of retail operations across the full spectrum of technology. 

From retail media to augmented reality (AR), AI and data solutions, through to store and online analytics, logistics and supply chain optimisation, the event aims to offer something for every retailer looking for transformative tech. 

5. Asda tests out self-service returns solution as concept lands in Ashton-under-Lyne store in Greater Manchester

Asda is piloting a self-service returns system where shoppers can deposit unwanted or faulty products and be automatically refunded.

A trial is underway at the retailer’s Ashton-under-Lyne store in Greater Manchester. Asda is also testing out a service allowing shoppers to buy tobacco and vape products without having to queue at the traditional kiosk.

In a LinkedIn post, Alexander Lacy, Senior Manager - Retail Front End Service and Back Office at Asda, said:“Self-service returns is live. Massive well done to all the people involved in landing our brand new self- service returns concept in our Ashton store in Greater Manchester.”

6. JYSK reports major milestone in construction of automated distribution centre in the Netherlands

Home furnishing retailer JYSK says that it has reached a milestone in the construction of its new distribution centre in Lelystad, near Amsterdam in the Netherlands with the first column now erected.

Building work on the 147,000 square metre, automated facility, located close to a temporary centre at Lelystad, near Amsterdam in the Netherlands, began last summer.

On Tuesday, 5th November, the construction team held a ceremony with the placement of the first column to symbolise the start of the vertical construction. JYSK representatives placed the column together with local officials such as the mayor of Lelystad, Mieke Baltus. Over 100 guests, including all employees from the temporary distribution centre, were in attendance.

"This is truly a milestone we have all been looking forward to. We are now seeing the first outlines of what will become our high tech distribution centre. This is not only an important moment in construction but a great achievement for everyone involved," says Rob Deinum, Project & Technical Manager at JYSK.

7. European food retailer Studenac preps IPO and listing of shares on Warsaw and Zagreb Stock Exchanges

Studenac, a food retailer in CEE that is based in Croatia, is working on an initial public offering with plans to list on the Warsaw and Zagreb Stock Exchange.

The offer will consist of new shares and the sale of existing shares by current shareholders.

Final terms will be released following approval of the Luxembourg Financial Supervision Authority. The aim is to raise $85.94 million from the issuance of new shares in connection with the offering.

Michał Seńczuk, CEO at Studenac, says: “I am confident that our proven business model, confirmed by strong financial performance with significant revenue growth and its achievements in recent years, should attract interest among potential investors. I believe that continuing its longstanding track record will make the brand one of the leading players in the proximity format in the region.”

8. Adobe expects price conscious UK consumers to set new spending record of £25.9 billion this holiday season

UK shoppers are forecast to spend a record of £25.9 billion online during the holiday season (November-December), £300 million more than the previous record set in 2020, and up 6.1% over the 2023 holiday season, according to research by Adobe Digital Insights.

Black Friday (£1.13 billion) and Cyber Monday (£940 million) will again be the highest online spending days of the year, up 9% and 6.7% year-over-year respectively, as increasingly price aware shoppers look for maximum value

“While UK shoppers are spending more freely this holiday season, it’s clear that consumers are still observing the more cautious, value and price conscious habits that emerged during periods of high costs-of-living over the past 18 months,” says Vivek Pandya, lead analyst, Adobe Digital Insights at Adobe.

“Deal hungry shoppers will again concentrate their spending over the Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend as they take advantage of the deep discounts on offer across all retail categories to stretch their budgets as far as possible.”

9. Intermarché partners with Shopic and Capgemini to pilot AI powered smart carts at retailer’s store in France

As part of a collaboration with Shopic and Capgemini, Intermarché has become the first European retailer to trial a smart cart solution at its store in Provins, France (77 - Seine-et-Marne).

Using an AI powered device, each cart can automatically detect items.

A clip on device, which can be attached to any standard cart, is powered by computer vision technology. Customers can track their budget in real-time, check their loyalty points, and see offers and promotions directly applied to their cart total.

A long-term goal is to integrate and personalise retail media features (such as advertisements and supplier offers throughout the shopping journey).

10. Aldi, Gelson’s, and Hornbacher’s become latest retailers to roll-out Carrot Tags software solution from Instacart

Instacart reports that new grocers are connecting their electronic shelf labels (ESL) hardware to Carrot Tags pick to light functionality.

Carrot Tags is Instacart’s software solution that integrates into a retailer’s electronic shelf labels (ESL) hardware to enable incremental functionality, including pick to light capabilities. The aim is to enable retailers to provide a reliable online ordering experience to their customers by helping e-commerce shoppers locate ordered items, which in turn improves order accuracy. 

Aldi, Gelson’s, and Hornbacher’s are the latest retailers to roll out Carrot Tags following a recent chain wide rollout at Schnucks earlier this year. Carrot Tags is part of Instacart’s Connected Stores suite of technologies, including Caper Carts, FoodStorm, and Eversight.