Including Amazon Fresh, Piglet in Bed, and Instacart: last week’s biggest retail technology plays at a glance

RTIH rounds up the stand out retail systems deals, launches, deployments and pilots from the past seven days. Including Chelmsford Star Co-op, Quadient, Retail247, ShipEngine, Ibotta, Superdry, Jacksons Food Stores, and Pret A Manger.

Chelmsford Star Co-op

Chelmsford Star Co-op has announced a new partnership with Quadient, a specialist in parcel locker solutions.

Part of its ‘More than Just a Shop’ campaign, this has resulted in the installation of a first Parcel Pending By Quadient locker at its newly refurbished store on Bridge Street, Writtle.

It says that this location, known for its high footfall and ample parking, is ideally suited for a parcel locker, and is the beginning of a roll-out across the retailer’s estate.  

Retail247 and Piglet in Bed

Retail247 has announced the launch of its Accelerate Programme, an implementation template which promises emerging retailers the supportive technological framework they need in order to scale efficiently and effectively.

Benefits include: Defined templates and processes; Shorter implementation timeframes; Manageable costs.

One of Retail247’s newest clients, Piglet in Bed, used the Accelerate Programme to deploy PIM solution Origin (it can also be used to deploy Retail247’s stock management platform, Archean).

Pacers Sports & Entertainment

Shift4 has been selected by Pacers Sports & Entertainment to power all ticket sales and foodservice payments at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, home of the National Basketball Association’s Indiana Pacers.

“We are continually seeking new ways to enhance the guest experience at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, and innovative partnerships like the one with Shift4 present exciting new opportunities to do just that,” says Mel Raines, Pacers Sports & Entertainment Chief Executive Officer.

ShipEngine

ShipEngine, a shipping API specialist, has launched ShipEngine for Platforms in the UK.

It says that the product gives e-commerce platforms the ability to embed superior, pre-integrated shipping components directly into their own solutions.

As a result, they can provide merchants a world class shipping experience – blended seamlessly into their existing product workflows – without the need for custom software development.

Sally Europe

Slimstock reports that Sally Europe, the UK and Continental Europe operating arm of Sally Beauty, has leveraged its forecasting, replenishment and supply chain optimisation platform, to support a transformation initiative.

Designed to enhance forecasting and ensure more responsive replenishment, the retailer says it is seeing a 2% on-shelf availability improvement; 5% reduction in working capital tied up in stock; and improved cash flow.  

Jacksons Food Stores

Jacksons Food Stores is partnering with Lula Commerce as it looks to create a smooth online ordering and delivery experience for customers in properties across five US states.

The initiative covers all major order ahead and pickup marketplaces, including UberEats, DoorDash, Amazon, GrubHub, Seamless and Postmates.

It will be integrated into the communities where Jacksons operates across Idaho, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

Superdry

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.”

Amazon Fresh

Amazon is continuing an overhaul of its Amazon Fresh stores in the UK, with the reopening of its Aldgate, London location on Monday.

These stores originally launched as checkout-free offerings, powered by the US online retail giant’s Just Walk Out technology.

But the focus is now on adding more payment options, such as self-service checkouts.

In a LinkedIn post, Thomas Monaghan, EU Head of Construction & Design at Amazon, said: “Another week and another revamped store launch.”

“Aldgate reopened its doors this morning with an improved flow, new payment options and an updated look and feel. An exciting and challenging period for the team, I'm looking forward to seeing the customer reaction. Thanks again to all involved, great work as always.”

Instacart

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.

Ticombo

Ticombo, an international ticket marketplace, has announced a new partnership with Mangopay.

Mangopay will manage Ticombo’s end-to-end payment flow from pay-in to payout as the latter works to provide a fair, trusted, and transparent experience for its users worldwide.

Using Mangopay’s wallet-based payment infrastructure, it is set to launch a new payment service where users can store funds they receive from ticket sales and re-spend the money on other tickets available in the marketplace.  

Based in Berlin, Ticombo allows event organisers, resellers, and consumers from around the world to sell or resell event tickets.

Sellers can sign up to the marketplace by verifying their identity, setting a price, and promoting their tickets in order to sell them. It lays claim to being the most followed of all reselling platforms in Europe, with over one million Facebook followers. 

Pret A Manger

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.