Starring REWE Group and Walmart: 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 Secret Sales, White Stuff, BigCommerce, Cimcorp, Co-op, DPD UK, and Kingfisher.
1. Secret Sales appoints former Accenture MD Anthony Farrow as Chief Technology Officer
Secret Sales, a platform and marketplace for off-price retail in fashion, sportswear and beauty, has appointed Anthony Farrow as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO).
Farrow was previously a Managing Director at professional services company, Accenture.
In 2015 the firm acquired The Javelin Group, where he had served as CTO, to spearhead its work in digital retail transformation.
For 23 years, Farrow has worked with various fashion brands, including Burberry and The Kering Group, helping to design and implement retail solutions.
His appointment at Secret Sales marks the first time the consultant transitions to the brand side. In his new role, he will lead the advancement of AI and emerging technologies to enhance the platform's efficiency for retailers, brands, and customers.
This involves the implementation of serverless architecture, refining search capabilities, and integrating AI driven product attributes.
2. REWE Group addresses labour shortages with automated fresh food solution from Cimcorp
REWE Group has partnered with Cimcorp on a project involving an automated fulfilment system for fruit and vegetables at the REWE logistics centre in Oranienburg, Germany, approximately 50 km north of Berlin.
Cimcorp’s intralogistics solution provides order picking for fresh products in plastic crates. The agreement also includes a 24/7 customer support contract.
“Fruit and vegetables are an extremely important commodity group for our customers,” says Lars Sibel, Director SCM and Logistics at Rewe Markt.
“But characterised by heavy physical labour in the warehouses, which makes it difficult to recruit personnel.”
“Cimcorp offers a unique solution to automate fruit and vegetable picking and alleviate physical labor for warehouse workers and thereby ensure the reliable delivery of fruit and vegetables to stores in the future as well.”
3. White Stuff makes BigCommerce move to keep pace with customer expectations and evolving shopping habits
BigCommerce has announced the launch of White Stuff, a British fashion and lifestyle brand, on its platform.
“We now have more flexibility to do everything we want in the short-term, and we are ready to adapt to whatever the future holds,” says Steve Borg, Technology and Transformation Director at White Stuff.
Established in 1985 and with over 110 physical stores, White Stuff, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, had prioritised its bricks and mortar stores, but realised it needed to invest in its e-commerce operations and improve agility to keep pace with customer expectations and evolving shopping habits.
4. Walmart expands augmented reality and virtual reality offerings to those shopping for eyewear
Walmart is expanding its augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) offerings with the launch of a new Optical Virtual Try-On service.
Beginning this month, customers will be able to virtually try on frames and purchase prescription eyewear online through the Walmart app or directly on the retail giant’s website.
Walmart says that, unlike other platforms, it uses 3D data and advanced algorithms to create a digital twin of eyewear frames, resulting in an enhanced experience.
5. Kingfisher taps Cornerstone OnDemand AI powered solutions for workforce development push
Home improvement retailer, Kingfisher, is leveraging Cornerstone OnDemand’s employee learning and performance management solutions.
With over 2,000 stores and 80,000+ employees, Kingfisher operates in eight countries across Europe under retail banners including B&Q, Screwfix, Castorama, Brico Dépôt, TradePoint and Koçtaş.
It says that Cornerstone’s AI powered learning and talent solutions will enable it to deliver modern learning at scale, ensure compliance, adhere to local legislation and optimise continuous talent development.
A key benefit for Kingfisher is that both Cornerstone Learning and Performance are incorporated into the same organic solution without the need for bolt-on technologies or workarounds.
6. DPD UK selects Blue Yonder tech for profitable and sustainable returns management
Parcel delivery firm DPD UK has chosen Blue Yonder’s SaaS-based Returns Management solution to provide a digital portal that will be made available to all of its retail customers.
DPD UK is a member of Geopost, a European specialist in parcel delivery and solutions for e-commerce and part of the La Poste Groupe.
The company operates more than 10,000 vehicles in the UK from 85 locations and delivers over 400 million parcels a year.
With a focus on customer service and sustainability, DPD UK was looking for a solution that would work alongside its existing capabilities and that could give it a strong competitive advantage in helping its retail customers manage returns efficiently.
7. Co-op launches retail media network pitched at convenience sector
Co-op is laying claim to the UK's first retail media network in the convenience sector.
In a LinkedIn post, Kenyatte Nelson, Chief Membership & Customer Officer at Co-op, said: “Having built my career working for some of the biggest and most recognisable brands, I’ve always had an appreciation of the value of retail media, but most retailers media offerings are pretty samey. Co-op bucks that trend.”
He added: “Convenience shopping is distinctly different vs. supermarket shopping (more frequent, more opportunities to see, higher propensity to try new items etc), and it offers untapped opportunities for brands to boost their sales, given the impulsive nature of convenience shopping missions.”
“By including convenience retail media in the broader media ecosystem, brands have a greater opportunity to enhance sales and help build long team brand health.”
“Given this insight, we are doubling down on our strengths in convenience, creating a unique platform for brands that we believe will enable audience connection, business growth and will ultimately reshape the retail media landscape.”
“This launch is about cementing our position and transforming the way brands engage with their customers nationwide.”
“I’m excited about the possibilities this journey will bring. It signifies not only progress for the Co-op Media Network, but also a new chapter for brands seeking diverse ways to connect with their audiences.”
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