Starring Asda, Emperia, and Instacart: RTIH rolls 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 Polytag, Marks and Spencer, Retail Insight, The Home Depot, Hugo Boss, Zippin, and OneStock.
1. Polytag announces single-use plastic packaging recycling scheme with high street giant Marks and Spencer as founding partner
Polytag has announced M&S as a founding member of its Ecotrace Programme, an initiative focused on the tracing and recycling of single-use plastic packaging in the UK.
This will deploy a network of Polytag’s Invisible UV Tag detection equipment in strategically chosen recycling centres that handle high volumes of waste.
FMCG brands, retailers, and waste management businesses are invited to get involved in the programme to unlock granular data on over 50% of the UK’s household waste recycling stream.
As a founding member of the programme, M&S, will gain real-time insights into where, when, and how much of its single-use plastic packaging is collected and sorted at recycling centres across the UK.
This data – at barcode level – will provide a verified benchmark for understanding recycling rates of its used plastic packaging.
2. Marks and Spencer notches up a first with completion of high street giant’s first ever Clothing, Home and Beauty hackathon
The event was all about innovation and problem solving as 17 teams focused on opportunities to better serve customers and run the Clothing & Home business.
From digital outfit recommendations to improving the M&S bra fit proposition, employees worked around the clock to bring to life digital first solutions.
Womenswear Director and sponsor for the event, Maddy Sillem (Evans), said “Well done to everyone who took part. I’ve been thrilled to support the event.”
“It’s been great to see teams come together from across business areas, stretching themselves and incorporating insight to keep colleagues and customers at the heart of solutions - all while using the power of digital to accelerate these strategic opportunities."
3. OMS specialist OneStock scores $72 million investment for international expansion with particular focus on US market
OneStock, a provider of order management systems (OMS), has announced a $72 million investment from Summit Partners.
OneStock was founded in 2015 by CEO, Romulus Grigoras, and CTO, Benoit Baccot, to help retailers and brands navigate the increasing complexity of the omnichannel landscape and enhance overall customer experience.
The company’s cloud native solution provides a centralised platform designed to manage end-to-end order fulfilment and visibility and enable retailers to offer a ‘buy anywhere, deliver anywhere, return anywhere’ experience to customers.
"Since the beginning, we have been dedicated to creating smarter and more sustainable shopping experiences, and our partnership with Summit marks a thrilling new chapter in our journey, reaffirming our long-term commitment to innovation and growth in the retail technology space,” comments Grigoras.
“With Summit's support and the benefit of their deep experience in the retail technology sector, we're poised to accelerate our growth even further. Our clear ambition is to emerge as the number one global leader in the OMS category.”
4. LEGOLAND Windsor Resort launches Europe’s first theme park checkout-free store powered by Zippin
Zippin and Aramark UK have partnered with LEGOLAND Windsor Resort to launch Europe’s first checkout-free store in a theme park. The store, which recently opened for the 2024 season, lets resort guests grab items without having to join a queue.
DUPLO Coffee Co, located in DUPLO Valley, sells a variety of sandwiches, snacks, coffee, and other drinks.
It was converted into a Zippin powered store where guests can enter with a credit card or mobile wallet, take what they want, and exit.
There are no checkout lines and no stopping to scan purchases. Guests are automatically billed for what they take as they exit.
5. Walmart Realm leverages Emperia technology for industry first influencer led virtual stores in immersive worlds
Walmart Realm has gone live, pitched as a first of its kind immersive commerce marketplace featuring influencer driven virtual shops.
This leverages technology from Emperia and gamifies the shopping journey, transporting customers into fantastical realms where they can interact with products and play nostalgic online games.
In a LinkedIn post, Justin Breton, Director of Brand Experiences & Strategic Partnerships, said: “Introducing Walmart Realm, the first ever immersive commerce experience curated by creators and inspired by social trends. Trust me when I say… You’ve never experienced online shopping like this before.”
“Walmart Realm embraces the limitless possibilities of virtual technologies, creating stunning shoppable environments to inspire our customers. Said differently, it’s not just a replica of a store or structure.”
“We’re continuing to shorten the distance between inspiration and commerce, highlighting the best fashion, beauty, and home products as selected by our creator partners, in each virtual shop.”
6. The Home Depot and Instacart announce same-day delivery partnership in US following pilot this year
Instacart and The Home Depot have announced a Stateside partnership to offer same-day delivery in as fast as an hour from nearly 2,000 store locations.
Customers can now order a wide range of home improvement items – from home appliances and building supplies to light fixtures and garden essentials – directly to their doorstep.
This follows a pilot in select markets earlier this year.
The service also includes Instacart’s Big & Bulky fulfilment solution, which ensures same-day and scheduled deliveries for heavy items up to 60 pounds, such as grills, ladders, and large boxes.
7. Big Four supermarket Asda green lights full store roll out of Retail Insight Inventory Insight solution
Asda has extended its technology partnership with Retail Insight, a provider of store operations execution software, with a view to improving on-shelf availability and the in-store experience.
The tie up involves a full store roll-out of Retail Insight’s Inventory Insight solution.
Asda now operates over 800 locations across its UK wide store estate - from supercentres, superstores, supermarkets, Asda Living stores, petrol stations and depots, and serves 18 million customers every week.
With its significant store footprint and the sheer number of SKUs it stocks, it has inevitably felt the impact of inaccurate inventory and wanted to improve stock accuracy across its store network.
8. Hugo Boss goes big on blockchain technology and Web3 features for launch of new customer loyalty programme
Hugo Boss has unveiled Hugo Boss XP, an omnichannel membership experience based around the brand’s customer app.
This blends traditional loyalty features, such as levels and points, with blockchain supported elements.
The programme incorporates initial Web3 features with the aim of opening new customer engagement opportunities.
Members can collect and redeem tokens (NFTs) through their purchases and other interactions across channels and brands.
They act as keys to unlock exclusive products, unique brand experiences, and further offers from Boss and Hugo or sponsorship and cooperation partners. Part of the plan is the future possibility for customers to trade tokens.
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