Featuring Harrods, Matalan, and Sainsbury’s: RTIH’s most read RTIH retail technology articles in March
These are the RTIH retail systems articles that caught your fancy during March, including Walmart, BigCommerce, Shopify, Enactor, Big Sur AI, unspun, Dollar Tress, 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.
The time is now for Sainsbury’s as UK grocery giant eyes huge potential for growth and market share gains
Sainsbury’s has more potential for growth and market share gains than any other grocer in the UK.
At present, however, there is too much focus on reducing costs and not enough focus on innovation.
That’s the view of Brittain Ladd, a supply chain consultant and former Amazon executive.
In a LinkedIn post, he said: “Although the size of the United States grocery market is around $850 billion annually, I believe the most fiercely competitive grocery market is that of Great Britain, with a market size of $295 billion.”
The market is dominated by four British retailers with a long history of operating in the country: Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, and Asda.
Ladd commented: “I’m often asked which of the grocery retailers in the UK do I admire the most and who do I believe has the most potential.”
“In my opinion, Sainsbury’s has more potential for growth and market share gains than any other grocer in the UK. I’ve also stated several times that if Amazon wants to acquire a grocery retailer in the UK, they should acquire Sainsbury’s.”
The online gloves are off: BigCommerce CEO Brent Bellm slams “baseless” Shopify total cost of ownership claims
Brent Bellm, Chief Executive Officer at BigCommerce, has taken to social media to hit out at e-commerce rival Shopify.
Last month, the latter flagged up a study claiming that it has the best total cost of ownership in commerce.
“We are better value because where our competitors put their complexity onto the backs of their customers, we absorb complexity for you. Our product is intentionally designed to be easy to use, manage, customise, and deploy,” said Harley Finkelstein, President at Shopify.
“Shopify has better value, better product, better services - end of story. With us, you’ll move faster, operate better, and get the best converting checkout in the world. If you're not choosing Shopify... you are intentionally deciding to pay 36% more and get less.
This did not sit well with Bellm.
In a LinkedIn post, he slammed the company for making “more baseless claims against its competitors - this time related to total cost of ownership - without providing information or citing sources regarding their data sample sizes, methodology, TCO calculation details, or even which firm evaluated the data.”
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.
Big Sur AI raises $6.9 million and announces launch of AI Sales Agent for e-commerce merchants
Big Sur AI, an AI platform for e-commerce, has announced a $6.9 million seed round led by Lightspeed Venture Partners and including participation from Capital F and several angel investors.
This comes as part of the launch of the company’s flagship product, an AI Sales Agent, which promises an enhanced product discovery and assisted experience to online shoppers at merchant websites.
“Big Sur AI's dedication to helping merchants cut through the noise and build lasting relationships with their customers aligns perfectly with our vision at Lightspeed,” says Sydney Sykes, Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners.
“We believe retailers will need a personalised approach to customer engagement that persists outside of the retail store. Big Sur AI is making that kind of customer relationship automatic.”
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.
According to a press release: “With extensive experience in installing computer networks, IT and EPoS systems for clients of across many sectors such as retail, restaurants, cafes, pubs, hotels and event venues, Brisk Technology will use its expertise to continue its growth trajectory by offering EDGEPoS, the leading EPoS software system, to new customers.”
Darren Nickels, Retail Technology Operations Director at Henderson Technology, says: “We selected Brisk Technology to be an EDGEPoS reseller because of their extensive experience and the pride they take in delivering excellent customer service.”
“Their team of engineers, trainers and support departments all share the same high standards as the team at Henderson Technology.”
“EDGEPoS can be used in many retail environments, and we see this partnership as a key way to bring EDGEPoS to those operators looking for a leading EPoS partner within sectors across the island of Ireland.”
“We look forward to seeing how the team use their expertise to bring EDGEPoS to new retailers.”
New chapter for former Amazon and Deliveroo exec Devesh Mishra as he becomes President of CoreAI at Keystone
Keystone has announced the appointment of Devesh Mishra as President and Chief Product and Technology Officer at CoreAI as the company looks to lead in innovation in artificial intelligence.
Prior to joining Keystone, Mishra spent 16 years at Amazon, where he held several senior positions, most notably as Vice President, Global Supply Chain.
In this role, he led a team across engineering, data science, and product management, managing a supply chain that spanned 185 markets, and leveraging data analytics, predictive technology, and machine learning.
Most recently, he served as the Chief Product and Technology Officer at Deliveroo, where he was responsible for overseeing the company's tech organisation, including engineering, data science, design, and product development functions.
2024 RTIH Innovation Awards opens for entries and boosts focus on AI, sustainability and inclusivity
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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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