Including Lenovo, Starbucks, and dunnhumby: 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 Rohlik Group, adidas, Tesco, Walmart, Trigo, Co-op, Roblox, and REWE Group.

1. Rohlik Group bags $170 million in fresh growth capital for European expansion plans ahead of IPO

European food retail technology and online grocery firm, Rohlik Group, has raised $170 million in fresh growth capital.

The investment was led by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), alongside existing investors Sofina, Index Ventures, Quadrille, and TCF Capital and complemented by growth capital funding from the European Investment Bank (EIB) under its Scale-Up Initiative.

The cash will be used to fuel Rohlik’s expansion plans in DACH and CEE, where the company aims to establish its presence in more than ten additional cities by 2030. 

Founded in 2014 in the Czech Republic, it now delivers over a million orders per month, and served over 800,000 customers in 2023. It has now reached profitability in Munich, having already done so in the Czech Republic and Hungary.

Rohlik says that this is driven by a best-in-class local assortment of goods, which ranges from fresh food from local farmers and artisans to supermarket goods, pharmacy items and private label brands, alongside competitive prices, high levels of customer service and fast, reliable delivery, powered by an innovative proprietary technology infrastructure. 

It operates automated fulfilment centres, leveraging a host of AI, ML and robotics technologies, and offers 15-minute delivery windows and same-day deliveries available as soon as one hour after booking. 97% deliveries are said to be on time.

Rohlik is currently targeting revenues of over €1 billion with positive cash flow for the 2024 financial year, as it works towards an IPO.

2. Tesco taps new dunnhumby AI powered Assortment solution for localised ranging in retailer's stores

dunnhumby is introducing new AI powered assortment technology. This is being used by Tesco to improve customer shopping experiences through smarter product selection.

It enables retailers to:

• Create localised ranges, down to store specific level

• Develop space aware ranges and planograms

• Implement a more efficient, end-to-end process

“In today’s dynamic retail landscape, keeping up with customer expectations while outpacing local competition is crucial,” says Jenn Dabbelt, Global Head of Product, dunnhumby.

“Our new Assortment tool, powered by advanced AI, allows retailers to build store-specific ranges centred on what the customer wants.”

“This supercharges retailers’ ability to deliver by streamlining the entire process from end to end, helping them bring to life exceptional experiences for customers.”

3. Walmart, e.l.f. beauty and Roblox team up to build the future of shopping, making it immersive, 3D and social

Walmart is helping to expand real-world commerce on Roblox through a partnership with e.l.f. beauty’s e.l.f. UP! experience on the platform.

Users (13+ in the US) can now visit e.l.f. UP! and purchase three cruelty free products from Walmart.com directly on Roblox.

And similar to real-world commerce in Walmart Discovered, the purchase of a real-world item in e.l.f. UP! includes a virtual twin created by a Roblox creator, with the aim of making the experience more native to the platform.

“e.l.f. UP! has been lightning in a bottle since day one and continues to surpass all expectations, especially among our Gen Z community,” says Kory Marchisotto, Chief Marketing Officer, e.l.f. Beauty.

“Testing commerce on Roblox is the next evolution in our journey of merging beauty with immersive platforms. We are teaching the Roblox community - and communities in digital spaces everywhere - about social commerce with purpose. Our community deeply values our superpower of cruelty free products.”

“Through the e.l.f. UP! Pet Adoption Center, we’ve learned how essential this superpower is, shaping our approach in this space.”

4. adidas focuses on immersive experiences as it goes live with 2024/25 Manchester United home kit on Roblox

Players of the immersive experience platform Roblox are now able to style their avatars in Manchester United’s 2024/25 home kit by adidas.

Shirts, shorts, and socks for the new strip, released yesterday, will be available to dress up avatars - thanks to a new United shop within the adidas Outfit Creator experience on Roblox.

As well as the new home kit, featuring new front of shirt sponsor Snapdragon and sleeve partner DXC, people can grab a series of other adidas and Manchester United apparel as avatar items on Roblox.

This includes the 2024/25 anthem jacket, which players pull on before standing shoulder to shoulder in the line-up, and the pre-match shirt, which players wear during the warm-up.

Fans can also take United’s mascot Fred the Red and place him on their avatar’s shoulder.

5. Starbucks upgrades Amazon Just Walk Out technology powered NYC stores for improved smartphone experience

Starbucks reports that two of its large New York cafes with Amazon's Just Walk Out technology have been upgraded to a more intuitive system, making it easier for its Green Apron partners to offer exclusive merchandise and food, and for customers to enjoy a seamless smartphone experience.

Customers can now tap into the lounge area, order with the Starbucks app, and walk out with their snacks and coffee without waiting in line.

In a LinkedIn post, Jessica Mills, Senior Director, Global Growth and Development at Starbucks, said: “For me, this journey began five years ago. On my first day back from maternity leave on 2nd July 2019, I was asked how we could partner with Amazon Go products and Just Walk Out technology.”

“This led to a deeper study on creating effortless experiences, culminating in the opening of two unique stores in New York City in November 2021 and July 2022. These stores serve as incubators and learning centres, with several programmes and insights being scaled across Starbucks.”

She added: “It has been an epic experience, and I am confident that the learnings will continue in this next chapter.”

6. Lenovo launches Trustly Open Banking payment method at online checkout in UK and Europe

Technology giant, Lenovo, is launching a new Open Banking at online checkout service for its customers in the UK and continental Europe. 

It says that this will provide customers with an alternative payment method that is less vulnerable to fraud, compared to the likes of credit or debit cards. 

Jussi Lindberg, Chief Revenue Officer, Trustly, comments: “We are thrilled Trustly is now available as a payment method for Lenovo’s customers. Our technology provides customers with a simple, fast, and secure way to pay.”

“Using Open Banking means payment speeds are as low as 10 seconds, making the checkout significantly quicker. We’re excited for Lenovo’s customers to use our technology for an enhanced payment experience.”

7. Trigo powered REWE Pick&Go store in Hamburg pitched as Europe’s largest computer vision-based supermarket

REWE Group reports that a location in Hamburg launched Pick&Go for customers this week.

Powered by Trigo technology, the store, which clocks in at 1.200 square metres in floor space and features 20.000 items, is pitched as Europe’s largest computer vision-based supermarket.

It is also the first REWE Pick&Go store in northern Germany, and offers four ways to pay for purchases: cashless via Pick&Go via app; scanning and paying at the self-checkout terminal; shopping via computer vision support without scanning at the self-checkout terminal; standard payment process at the cash register.

A highlight is that the Pick&Go system now also covers the service counter for the first time.

Customers have the opportunity to purchase fresh meat, cheese and sausage products without having to wait at the checkout afterwards.

8. Co-op hooks up with Walmart Commerce Technologies to support retailer's online grocery push

Co-op is gearing up to work with Walmart Commerce Technologies, implementing its online fulfilment technology, Store Assist, to enhance the convenience retailer’s colleague and customer experience and support quick commerce growth ambitions.

The Store Assist app allows retailers to manage pickup, third-party marketplace, ship-from-store, and last mile delivery orders all in one place.

According to those involved, a streamlined omnichannel fulfilment workflow will enhance in-store processes and operations, remove the need for colleagues to switch between quick commerce apps or different devices, and allows for faster delivery times.

Store Assist technology will have a focus on: ease of use; scalability; specialised and tailored use to meet the diverse demands of grocery fulfilment and, a unified platform to simplify systems as online orders are picked fresh in the local Co-op store, and delivered quickly and conveniently in the community.