Manga, anime and QR codes: check 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 McDonald’s, Walmart, Amazon Fresh, Shein, Co-op, and Branston.
1. Branston an early adopter as Orca Scan and GS1 QR codes arrive in major UK supermarkets
Food brand, Branston, is using the Orca Scan GS1 Digital Link solution to enhance its customers' experience in UK supermarkets.
This is powered by GS1's Digital Link standard.
It works by connecting billions of physical products to the internet and giving each one a unique home page that brands can modify long after the product has left the production line.
Branston is an early adopter of this technology, becoming one of the first brands to have this new barcode on products sold in UK supermarkets, giving their consumers instant access to recipe ideas, ingredients and allergens, sustainability and recycling information with a scan via their smartphone camera, no app required.
2. McDonald’s taps QR codes as it preps WcDonald’s campaign celebrating the art of manga and anime
McDonald’s is gearing up to launch an immersive campaign that celebrates manga and anime.
This will go live on 26th February and will see the fast food giant change its names to WcDonald’s.
In a LinkedIn post, Guillaume Huin, Sr. Marketing Director at McDonald’s, said: “On 2.26, McDonald's becomes WcDonald's, as an homage to the name used for decades in mangas and anime to refer to McD.”
“New logo, Japanese name, flipped arches, new exclusive packaging, WcNuggets and a new WcDonald's sauce with quite a spicy kick - we are officially WcDonald's now.”
3. Retail and entertainment: Walmart inks agreement to acquire VIZIO and its SmartCast operating system
Walmart and VIZIO have entered into an agreement for the former to acquire the latter for $11.50 per share in cash, equating to a fully diluted equity value of approximately $2.3 billion.
The deal is subject to regulatory clearance and other closing conditions specified in the merger agreement.
Walmart says that the acquisition of VIZIO and its SmartCast Operating System (OS) will enable it to “connect with and serve its customers in new ways including innovative television and in-home entertainment and media experiences”.
It will also create new opportunities to help advertisers connect with customers, equipping brands with differentiated and compelling opportunities to engage at scale and to realise greater impact from their advertising spend with the US retail giant.
The combination is expected to accelerate Walmart’s media business in the US, Walmart Connect, bringing together VIZIO's advertising solutions business with Walmart’s reach and capabilities.
These benefits would be further strengthened by the growth of connected TV platforms and Walmart’s TV panel sales.
4. Shein to unveil spring/summer 2024 collection via livestream fashion show, Shein Live: Front Row
Online fashion and lifestyle retailer Shein is gearing up to unveil its new spring/summer 2024 collection through a special episode of its interactive, shoppable livestream experience, Shein Live: Front Row.
This event is set to commence at 12 p.m. PT on Sunday, 25th February, promising an immersive journey into the hottest trends for spring and summer fashion.
The three-hour livestream will be presented by Shein host Renee Ariel, featuring actress Teala Dunn, host of the Over Comfort podcast Jenicka Lopez, and the Mian Twins, Azra and Aisha.
It will be accessible via the retailer’s app across Facebook, X, YouTube, and Instagram via @sheinofficial, @shein_us.
Inspired by the warmer weather, the spring/summer collection consists of six collections: Effortlessly Elegant, Summer Vacay, Modern Classics, Casual Chic, Sweet as Honey, and Street Style.
5. Amazon Fresh eyes best-in-class grocery shopping experience with Recurring Reservations offering
Amazon has launched a new feature designed to make grocery retail easier for those who shop from Amazon Fresh.
Recurring Reservations helps customers in nearly 1,300 cities and towns in the US plan ahead and get groceries each week on their schedule.
Customers can set up their preferred day and time window for weekly grocery pick-up and delivery up to seven days in advance.
“As shoppers continue to prioritise convenience, Amazon Fresh recognises that convenience looks different for every customer and it’s our job to make grocery shopping as seamless as possible,” says Kim Kornfeld, an Amazon spokesperson.
6. Co-op expands TCS tie-up with a cloud first strategy supporting growth and sustainability
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has expanded its partnership with The Co-operative Group (Co-op) to adopt a cloud first strategy that will support its business growth and sustainability initiatives.
TCS has been the strategic partner to Co-op for the past 14 years, supporting a number of business critical and workplace projects.
These include a retail business transformation, core system transformation and franchise programme.
The expanded partnership will see TCS help Co-op move from a traditional datacentre model to a fully managed, scalable cloud environment powered by TCS Enterprise Cloud.
TCS will also manage the hybrid cloud and SaaS estate for enhanced resilience and agility.
7. INTER&Co Stadium boosts in-venue shopping experience with Amazon Just Walk Out technology
Orlando City SC and the Orlando Pride have boosted the fan experience at INTER&Co Stadium, becoming the first soccer specific venue to offer Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology for retail.
People will be able to take advantage of the upgrade at The Den, the official team store of both clubs which is operated by Fanatics, a digital sports platform and provider of fan apparel.
With Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology, guests enter the store, take what they like, and leave, sometimes even wearing their fan gear, by using their credit card at the exit gate.
When they leave the store with their purchase, the RFID tags in their clothing and other apparel they select are read by RFID readers in the exit area, and the credit card they use to exit will be charged.
Shortly after exiting, they will be able to access their receipt online.
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