Nicki Minaj, Harrods, and McDonald’s: check out 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, unspun, Currys, WelcoMe, Shopify, Starship Technologies, Greenly, John Lewis & Partners, Argos, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards.
Walmart and unspun team on 3D fabric weaving technology to reduce waste and boost US manufacturing
Walmart has announced a pilot project with unspun, a fashion tech company using 3D weaving technology, a collaboration that, if successful, could help reduce the environmental impact of garment production, offer a more sustainable process for meeting apparel demand and support the companies’ commitment to shift more textile manufacturing back to the US.
Out of its micro factory in Oakland, California, unspun’s technology aims to more quickly and efficiently transform yarn into garments.
The pilot project addresses concerns about waste in the apparel industry driven primarily by fabric loss from traditional flat weaving, cutting and garment assembly, and from discarded extra inventory built to meet growing consumer demand and fashion trends.
These issues, combined with the emissions generated from transporting garments and fabrics supplied offshore, have created demand for more sustainable apparel manufacturing supply chain solutions.
We’re sorry for the inconvenience’: Woeful weekend as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and McDonald’s suffer IT meltdowns
Currys teams with WelcoMe to launch pilot enhancing in-store accessibility for customers with disabilities
Currys has become the first tech retailer to partner with WelcoMe, with the aim of improving the shopping experience for customers with disabilities.
The partnership launches in conjunction with Neurodiversity Celebration Week.
A purpose built web app, the aforementioned platform works by allowing shoppers with a disability to register an in-person store visit, online.
Through filling out a quick form indicating any specific disability related needs or information, and an estimated date/time of arrival, stores are then notified of the upcoming visit giving them the opportunity to prepare for and accommodate any specific requirements etc.
The tool also gives retail partners access to pointers and best practice techniques to help accommodate anybody, specific to certain disabilities.
The trial will be piloted across 20 Currys stores around the Birmingham region, including: Birmingham Castle Vale, Birmingham Highgate, Birmingham Selly Oak, Burton, Cannock, Kidderminster, Leicester Fosse, Leicester St Georges, Loughborough, Merry Hill Retail Park, Shrewsbury, Solihull, Stafford, Stoke Festival Park, Stoke Longton, Sutton Coldfield, Tamworth, Telford, Wednesbury J9 and Wolverhampton.
British luxury department store Harrods enlists Enactor for self-checkout systems programme
Enactor has announced implementation of a self-checkout (SCO) system in luxury department store Harrods.
Mike Carrell, Founder and Managing Director at Enactor, says: “The self-checkout market is changing rapidly and we are therefore thrilled that more clients are entrusting us to provide them with a modern solution and next-generation PoS solution powered by our single platform architecture.”
“The launch of this SCO pilot programme with Harrods is not just a business venture but a testament to our shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and mutual growth.”
“We are delighted to continue our journey with Harrods and provide their customers with a shopping experience like no other.”
Nicki Minaj taps Shopify platform for launch of press-on nail brand Pink Friday Nails e-commerce offering
Rapper and singer, Nicki Minaj, has launched a press-on nail brand Pink Friday Nails, with an online offering powered by Shopify.
"When I became a mom, I couldn't spend as much time getting my nails done as when I only had to worry about me, so it became a necessity to create fly, quality press-on nails," says Minaj.
"I told my team when we started Pink Friday Nails that if I don't want to wear them, I'm not going to even attempt to sell them because our customers aren't stupid. Pink Friday Nails are the actual nails I wear designed by my actual nail tech.”
“And I have very small nail beds, so normally press-ons are way too big and don't hit the same. Our nails come from short to the longest length I wear, in all shapes, all sizes, and polishes."
Cambourne in UK to host Europe’s first wireless charging station for Starship Technologies delivery robots
Starship Technologies, a provider of autonomous delivery services, has announced the installation of the first wireless charging station for its robots in Europe.
Thanks to a collaboration with Cambourne Town Council, a fleet of its robots will now recharge between making grocery deliveries across Cambourne in Cambridgeshire.
The service first launched in Cambourne back in May 2022, offering groceries from the Co-op store at 29 Mosquito Road in Upper Cambourne.
Starship first introduced wireless charging stations on George Mason University campus in the US over six months ago.
It now expects to further reduce emissions in Cambourne as robots will no longer need to be couriered by van between service areas. Wireless charging is more energy efficient, allowing them to charge up overnight, while they’re sleeping, on-site.
Carbon accounting startup Greenly nabs $52 million Series B funding round led by Fidelity International Strategic Ventures
Greenly has announced a $52 million Series B funding round led by Fidelity International Strategic Ventures, two years after a $23 million Series A.
The startup says that the latest fundraising effort establishes it as a global leader in a market poised for massive adoption, spurred by new regulations like the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and the recent US requirement for public companies to report their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
In addition to Fidelity International Strategic Ventures, the round pulled in new investors such as BGV (Benhamou Global Ventures), Move Capital, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and HSBC, while existing partners like XAnge and Energy Impact Partners returned.
Brian Halligan, Co-Founder and Chairperson, HubSpot, also participated.
Leveraging generative AI, Greenly streamlines collection of large corporate datasets stemming from multiple softwares (Utilities, ERP, cloud, freight etc.), and automates analytics, using its own user-generated learning.
With 2,000 customers worldwide, it has been partnering with the likes of BNP Paribas, AXA, and L’Oreal, to promote decarbonisation across their wider ecosystem.
Jokey John Lewis & Partners Argos tweet backfires over weekend as social media users blast ‘classless’ retailer
Last weekend, Argos reported issues with its Click & Collect service.
In a tweet dated 16th March, the retailer said: “Due to an error with an overnight software update, customers may experience issues in placing new orders and collecting orders in-store. There may also be delays in fulfilling orders placed today.”
“We apologise to customers for the inconvenience and are working hard to fix the issue. We are able to take orders on the website/app as normal.”
Enter a somewhat smug John Lewis with the following jokey tweet.
2024 RTIH Innovation Awards opens for submissions, with winners to be announced in November
The sixth edition of the RTIH Innovation Awards is now open for entries.
The awards celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world, with winners being announced during a glittering ceremony at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on Thursday, 21st November.
This year, we’re bringing you three new categories: AI Innovation, Sustainable Retail Innovation, and Inclusive Technology Innovation.
AI Innovation
After a barrage of hype, the retail space is now seeing many examples of artificial intelligence creating value and efficiency.
This award will highlight AI projects across the omnichannel retail landscape that have gone beyond the proof-of-concept stage, scaling and delivering results.
Sustainable Retail Innovation
Traditionally, the biggest problem with sustainable technology solutions has been in the relatively high cost of implementation, often meaning that scaling them was not viable.
Things change, however, with incentives, targets and climate pledges as well as the rapid iteration of innovative technologies driving down costs in various areas.
This award will go to a retailer or brand that has worked with technology suppliers to put sustainability at the core of its values. The winning entry will show how a company has boosted its green credentials whilst also demonstrating the tangible business benefits of sustainable practices.
Inclusive Technology Innovation
For 2024, we’ve decided to carve out a separate category to showcase what is being delivered in the inclusive shopping space, and shine a light on what is a huge, untapped retail customer/service market that suppliers and retailers are now really leaning in to and embracing more fully.
This award will go to a retailer or brand that has tapped innovative technology to put inclusion at the core of its values. The winning entry will show how a company has boosted its inclusive credentials whilst also demonstrating the tangible business benefits involved.
40% of frontline retail workers feel technology needs are ignored, according to new Scandit research
Scandit has released a report, ‘Frontline Retail Revealed: Motivations, Technology Attitudes and Insights’, examining store associates’ perspective on the factors influencing workplace loyalty, retention and technology investment, including the potential impacts of AI.
Its survey, across seven countries encompassing 2,000 store associates in nine retail sub-sectors, highlights that up-to-date technology is now more than a luxury. It is a key driver in affecting worker motivation and, ultimately, a retailer’s success.
However, the research uncovers a crucial gap: 40% of respondents feel that their employers don’t invest in their tech needs, with 20% actively feeling it’s a non-priority.
"The retail industry has undergone significant changes over the last few years as businesses continue to navigate the ripple effects of a post-Covid world,” says Samuel Mueller, CEO and Co-founder at Scandit.
"Increased consumer pressure, operational efficiency requirements, ongoing labor shortages and the advent of AI has required retailers to rethink how they attract, retain and motivate store associates.”
“Our research reveals workers’ concerns and how retailers can optimise technology investments to drive employee loyalty, automate tedious tasks and ultimately boost profitability."
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