Mobile apps, rapid delivery, and augmented reality: RTIH’s most read retail technology articles from last week
Check out the articles on this here website that caught your fancy this past week, including Walmart, Co-op, Uber Direct, Henderson Technology, Dollar Tree, Superdrug, Gophr, EE, TalkShopLIve, New Look, Nectar360, Matalan, and REWE Group.
Henderson Technology announces Brisk Technology as new authorised EDGEPoS reseller
Henderson Technology has appointed Brisk Technology as an authorised EDGEPoS reseller to the retail sector in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Dollar Tree continues digital transformation push as it enlists Publicis Sapient for new mobile app launch
Dollar Tree has officially launched a new app, where customers can use the price check feature to explore More Choices, pitched by the US retailer as “a new world of variety and value in select stores. While the vast majority of products continue to be $1.25 or less, our expanded assortment will offer a wider range of choices and high quality brands”.
Shoppers can also see what’s new in-store, browse and add products to their favourites list, view the weekly ad, get notified on deals, and locate stores.
Health and beauty retailer Superdrug picks Gophr to provide pharmacy delivery service
Superdrug reports that Gophr will provide its pharmacy delivery service. This will allow the delivery of prescriptions across the UK to people who choose Superdrug to provide their medication.
Gophr’s strong standard operating procedures, its ability to track and trace all home deliveries digitally from store to door and how it would offer a best-in-class doorstep experience were cited as major factors in Superdrug’s decision.
The doorstep experience must replicate the security protocols that take place in the pharmacy itself and there are layers of protection in delivery to uphold standards ensuring that prescription medicines are given directly to the people they are intended for.
Klarna buy now pay later service goes live on Boots UK and Ireland websites along with mobile app
Boots has rolled out Klarna’s buy now pay later offering across its UK and Ireland online sites and mobile app.
In a LinkedIn post, Andrew Wood, Group Lead Solutions & Delivery UK, Ireland, BeNeFra and Southern Europe at Klarna, said: “Delighted to share that Klarna is now available on Boots.com and Boots.ie, plus the Boots app in the UK and Ireland.”
“It's been such a pleasure to work with the amazing team at Boots UK and my wonderful colleagues at Klarna on this exciting partnership.”
The retailer previously made Klarna’s BNPL service available in over 2,000 stores across the UK, and also for Boots Opticians.
Customers can spread the cost of their purchase into three interest free instalments with Pay in 3.
The first payment is made at point of purchase, with remaining instalments scheduled automatically every 30 days.
Or they can pay for their order anytime within 30 days of your purchase, interest free.
Matalan teams with Kin + Carta to launch new GenAI and Large Language Model online tool
Matalan, a fashion and homeware omnichannel value retailer, has announced the launch of a new Generative AI (GenAI) tool.
Matalan has partnered with Kin + Carta on the GenAI and Large Language Model (LLM) offering, which creates detailed product descriptions for items listed on its website.
The move is pitched as the first time a UK retailer has used AI in this way and forms an important part of Matalan’s digital transformation journey.
The tool will be implemented across all departments, including clothing and homeware. According to a press release: “As well as making shopping online with Matalan even easier, it is expected to deliver a 4x increase in productivity.”
EE Retail IT Refresh project moves from pilot stage to BAU across company's physical stores
The initiative replaces all the current devices used by the company’s guides in-store, allowing them to complete all sales, service and operational processes from one device.
It also delivers 200Mbps dedicated fibre lines in every store via EE’s BT Business SD WAN.
Along with a new cloud EPoS solution provided by Aptos, reducing infrastructure footprint. And new PED devices from Barclays, making everything wireless.
In a LinkedIn post, Alan Dickson, Principal Technology Partner/Product Lead at EE, said: “For our customers, this delivers a faster, friendlier and more reliable experience meaning the guides can spend more time focusing on their needs.”
He added: “The feedback from our store guides so far has been fantastic with comments including much quicker and simpler, game changing and even life changing.”
“There are too many people to thank individually for their input and efforts to get us here, but to everyone involved, thanks for your passion, enthusiasm, and dedication to get us to this point.”
“Thanks also to our suppliers including, Aptos Retail, Barclaycard Payments, ProTech Services (UK) and Fujitsu for all your support.”
New Look enlists Accenture as it deploys Dayforce HR and payroll platform across its operations
New Look, an omnichannel fashion retailer in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, says that it has chosen Dayforce to help provide “a modern employee experience, optimise its workforce, and unify its HR and payroll processes in a single cloud HCM platform”.
German retail giant REWE Group taps Catch AI platform as it tests out digital shopping trolleys in stores
German retailer REWE Group has inked a deal with Israeli startup Catch to test Catch AI, a platform that operates across the likes of smart carts, smartphones, and self-checkout kiosks.
In the first phase of the agreement, the solution has been implemented in 110 carts at supermarket REWE Center, located in Cologne.
Each cart will be equipped with a tablet delivering a smart personal assistant to shoppers.
This allows people to scan their handwritten shopping lists or digitally transfer their shopping lists using a tablet. It does not require registration or app download, enabling anonymity throughout the shopping process.
Catch was founded in 2022 by Shlomi Dayan, CEO, and Itai Lishner, CTO, both former executives at Trax.
Convenience retailer Co-op eyes further quick commerce growth as convenience retailer teams with Uber Direct
Co-op has announced expanded access to its online shop, accessed via the retailer’s app, through a new partnership with Uber Direct, Uber’s white label delivery solution.
This will enable Co-op member-owners and customers to order groceries via Co-op’s own online shop, with rapid delivery locally through Uber Eats’ delivery network.
Co-op has been growing its e-commerce business through both its own online shop and strategic partnerships.
The trial with Uber Direct will initially enable an additional 50 Co-op stores to offer quick online home delivery as the latter aims to grow the access and reach of its own online shop to around 1,000 stores by the end of the year.
The move supports its ambition to accelerate its share of the quick commerce market to more than 30%, and sits alongside its partnerships with online home delivery platforms including Uber Eats where groceries and everyday essentials are available to order from approaching 1,100 Co-op stores.
Its online strategy is centred on quick convenience from its stores which are well placed at the heart of communities, with online orders picked fresh in local stores.
Co-op has estimated that more than 80% of the UK population now has access to its products through either its own online shop or, the delivery platforms it partners with.
Celebrating International Women’s Day 2024: ten female retail technology leaders and innovators
Elizabeth Azide, Director Marketing, EMEA at BigCommerce, says: “Women play a crucial role in shaping the landscape of the retail tech industry. Their perspectives contribute significantly to the growth and innovation within e-commerce and retail.”
“As a woman actively involved in this field, I’ve always felt encouraged to voice my opinions and ideas, and would urge others in leadership roles to actively foster an environment where women are supported to meaningfully contribute.”
“With women driving nearly 70% of consumer spending, their presence in decision-making positions is not just advantageous but imperative.”
“By empowering women in the retail tech sector, and as more companies across the industry have women at the helm, we can continue to create more inclusive and successful outcomes for businesses and consumers alike.”
US startup TalkShopLive announces launch of new Instagram Shoppable Simulcast feature
Video commerce and retail media enablement platform TalkShopLive has announced the launch of its new Shoppable Simulcast feature with Instagram.
The product officially debuted yesterday with a livestream featuring Grammy nominated artist, producer, songwriter, and actor Benny Blanco.
This featured Blanco preparing recipes from his new cookbook and entertaining guide, titled Open Wide, and also stream edin association with TalkShopLive media partner Billboard. Blanco also signed copies of his book.
The live event was embedded across multiple destinations, including Billboard.com and Billboard’s Instagram and Facebook page, Blanco’s Instagram and Facebook page, TalkShop.Live and across TalkShopLive’s content distribution network.
Any TalkShopLive stream can be simulcasted on a seller’s Instagram account while still keeping the shopping element intact. The Instagram integration comes after TalkShopLive launched its Shoppable Simulcast product and first destination with Meta on Facebook.
Walmart boosts its augmented reality offerings with introduction of hair colour products try-on feature
Walmart is enhancing its Beauty Virtual Try-On feature, which launched last year, so that it now includes hair colour products.
The tool allows people to experiment with various colour cosmetics and hair shades in real-time.
With a focus on providing personalised experiences, users can find their perfect match and make purchases, all within a digital platform.
Customers can now preview nearly 500 hair colour products via Walmart’s iOS app featuring formulations from brands like Madison Reed, Revlon and Wella, with more products and brands to come.
Nectar360 hails a retail sector first as company launches Sainsbury’s Branded Shops offering
Nectar360 has announced the launch of Branded Shops, pitched as a first of its kind offering available to clients on the Nectar360 eCommerce Media Platform.
Co-developed with CitrusAd, this gives clients the ability to build custom pages on sainsburys.co.uk to help customers shop their favourite brands, with the aim of increasing brand engagement and encouraging purchases that drive incremental sales.
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