Starring Pret, Instacart, and Superdry: 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 JD Sports Israel, WeDev Technologies, Mattel, Instacart, Ibotta, Kammac, and Amazon.

1. JD Sports Israel teams with WeDev Technologies on complex and rewarding launch of new in-store digital kiosks

JD Sports Israel has launched new digital kiosks in its stores.

In a LinkedIn post, Hay Dick, Head of E-commerce at JD Sports Israel, said: “After months of hard work, collaboration, and countless hours of work, our digital kiosks are now available in JD Sports physical stores.”

“This project has been one of the most complex and rewarding experiences I’ve worked on, alongside our incredible development partners at WeDev Technologies, together we’ve crafted a solution that enhances the in-store shopping experience in a big way.”

He added: “Ever walked into a store and couldn’t find the product you wanted in the right size, colour, or model? Our new kiosk is here to solve that problem.”

“It's directly connected to our e-commerce website, providing real-time access to our entire inventory. Now, if the product you’re looking for isn’t on the shelf, you can easily locate it through the kiosk and even place an order on the spot and get it right to your door.”

Dick concluded: “This project is a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration. I’m incredibly proud of the work our team has done to bring this to life, and I can’t wait to see how it transforms the shopping experience for our customers offline and online.”

“Here’s to making shopping easier, more efficient, and more enjoyable.”

2. Instacart gets digital as it becomes first grocery technology company to join Ibotta Performance Network

Ibotta, which provides digital promotions and performance marketing solutions for CPG brands, and Instacart, a grocery technology company in North America, have announced a partnership to provide the latter’s customers with access to the former’s catalogue of digital coupons.

By joining the Ibotta Performance Network (IPN), Instacart is looking to deliver more coupons that are timely and relevant to its consumers, helping consumers save money on their everyday purchases.

Going forward, Ibotta will be Instacart's preferred third-party coupon provider across all eligible categories of items on its mobile app and website.

For CPG brands, this new partnership aims to create an enhanced opportunity to reach consumers across Instacart’s marketplace of more than 1,500 retail banners with a footprint of more than 85,000 stores across North America.

In addition, CPG brands can continue to leverage Instacart’s retail media network to drive product discovery and incremental sales by connecting to consumers who are directly at the point of purchase.

3. Ireland goes live as Superdry enlists OSF Digital for first step in global e-commerce platform roll-out

Superdry has gone live with a new global e-commerce platform in Ireland.

In a LinkedIn post, Dafydd Moore, Director Global Technology, said: “Excited to share that we've launched our new global e-commerce platform in Ireland, marking the first step in our global roll-out.”

“This wouldn't have been possible without the incredible efforts of our technology team, our colleagues across the business and our partners at OSF Digital. Huge thanks to the tech team.”

He added: “This project extends beyond just our website, including significant changes to our order management systems as well.”

“Kudos to all teams involved in making this happen. Here’s to many more successful launches as we continue our global deployment.”

4. 3PL firm Kammac hires former Footasylum CEO and Chairman Barry Bown as Brand Ambassador

Third-party logistics (3PL) provider Kammac has appointed Barry Bown as its new Brand Ambassador.

Bown brings over 35 years of senior leadership experience within the retail sector and joins Kammac with a track record that includes his roles as CEO and Chairman of Footasylum and Group CEO for 16 years at JD Sports Fashion.

“I am delighted to join Kammac at this pivotal moment in the company’s development,” he says.

“This is an exciting time, and I am eager to use my knowledge and experience to help build the brand, drive growth, and set new industry standards – ensuring Kammac remains at the forefront of innovation and excellence.”

5. Toy giant Mattel appoints industry veteran Sai Koorapati Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer

Toy and family entertainment company, Mattel, reports that Sai Koorapati has been appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer.

Anthony DiSilvestro, CFO at Mattel, says: “We are thrilled to welcome Sai to our leadership team at Mattel.”

“He brings to our company a strong track record leading digital transformations and proven experience across enterprise applications, customer facing systems, and cybersecurity tools.”

“We look forward to the benefit of Sai’s expertise navigating complex technological landscapes and empowering innovation at Mattel.”

In his role, Koorapati oversees all aspects of Mattel’s technology innovation and implementation, including shared platforms, software and hardware development, artificial intelligence (AI), and connected product design and creation.

He also leads Mattel’s online security and privacy.

6. Amazon set to test out drone deliveries in the UK as part of initiative led by the Civil Aviation Authority

Amazon has been given the green light to test fly drones beyond a human controller’s line of sight in the UK.

It is one of six organisations taking part in a trial led by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

This will gather key safety data, such as how drones detect and avoid other aircraft, the electronic signals they can send to be able to be visible to other airspace users and air traffic control.

The aim is to support the regulator’s ongoing development of policy and regulations so that drone flights can be fully integrated with other airspace users.

Sophie O’Sullivan, Director of Future of Flight at the CAA, says: “These innovative trials mark a significant step forward in integrating drones safely into UK airspace.”

“By supporting projects ranging from consumer deliveries to critical infrastructure inspections, we are gathering essential data to shape future policies and regulations.”

“Our goal is to make drone operations beyond visual line of sight a safe and everyday reality, contributing to the modernisation of UK airspace and the incorporation of new technology into our skies.”

7. Hugo Boss partners with One iota on launch of smart fitting room at flagship store in Düsseldorf, Germany

Hugo Boss has gone live with a smart fitting room in its new flagship Boss store in Düsseldorf, Germany, which has around 1,000 square metres of sales space, spread over two floors.

It worked with One iota on the project, integrating the solution into eight of 17 fitting rooms in the store for the first time.

This is a screen that reads items taken in via RFID, displays the items (and other items that may go with it) and allows customers to select different size/colour variants if required.

This triggers a request to an iPad app for a store member to pick the item and take it to the nominated dressing room number.

"Today more than ever, our stores are points of experience where we can offer a unique experience and individualised services to our customers,” says Oliver Timm, Chief Sales Officer and Deputy CEO at Hugo Boss. 

“The aim is to inspire customers for our brands in the long term and create new opportunities to connect beyond the collections available in our stores.”

“The new Boss store in Düsseldorf demonstrates this approach, together with our flagship stores in London, Dubai, and Tokyo.”

“With our new design and hospitality concept, which reflects our premium positioning, and new digital services that are industry leading, we are taking the customer experience to the next level.”

8. Pret A Manger tests out body worn cameras for staff as UK shop workers face rising abuse in the workplace

Sandwich and coffee chain Pret A Manger is trialling body worn cameras in a select number of stores in London.

A spokesperson said: “These are only being worn by team leaders or managers, and are only turned on in specific circumstances.”

Signs have been put up in those store conducting the trial to make customers aware. Only Pret’s security team will have access to any footage captured.

Pret A Manger follows Tesco and The Co-op in testing out body worn cameras as UK shop workers face increasing levels of violence and abuse.

British Retail Consortium research reveals that the number of incidents rose to 1,300 per day in 2022/23 from almost 870 per day the year before.

This rise came despite retailers investing heavily in crime prevention, spending £1.2 billion on measures such as CCTV, increased security personnel, and body worn cameras, up from £722 million the previous year.

The cost of theft to retailers went up to £1.8 billion from £953 million the previous year, meaning the total cost of crime to retailers stood at £3.3 billion – double the previous year.