Tesco squares up to Ocado: 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 Roku, Currys, Primark, Sainsbury’s, SAP, Accenture, AWS, Amazon, Morrisons, and Ikea.
1. Streaming giant Roku and omnichannel technology retailer Currys kick off first of its kind retail media partnership
Roku has launched the first stage of its partnership with Currys Connected Media, the retail media network offshoot of omnichannel tech retailer, Currys, to run Connected TV (CTV) video ads on its platform.
In a first of its kind partnership for Roku UK, Currys and its partner brands will be able to access Roku Media ad inventory, starting with videos ads and expanding to other creative ad formats.
Launched late last year, Currys Connected Media enables the retailer’s partner brands to leverage its first-party data to understand, reach, and engage customers.
The aforementioned tie up enables Currys and its partner brands to reach customers across all Roku streaming devices in the UK, including streaming players and Roku TV models.
“Combining our expertise in TV streaming advertising with Currys’ leadership as an omnichannel tech retailer, we believe this partnership can combine the power of retail media and streaming video to help brands improve the effectiveness of their marketing investment,” says Richard Halton, Country Manager at Roku UK.
2. Shopify pilots integration of Checkout solution into gaming platform Roblox with larger launch set for 2025
Virtual gaming platform Roblox has its sights set firmly on the e-commerce space.
It has announced a global partnership with Shopify that will allow creators of Roblox experiences, including brands and retailers, to sell physical goods directly within the platform via Shopify’s checkout.
In a LinkedIn post, Harley Finkelstein, Shopify President, says: “It’s official: we are the first commerce integration partner on Roblox. This year we’re piloting integrating our world class Checkout into Roblox, with a larger launch coming in early 2025.”
“Soon, you’ll be able to shop physical products like clothing, accessories and collectables designed by your favourite creators and brands, all within Roblox, powered by Shopify. This means that developers, creators, and brands who are on Shopify can sell directly within their Roblox games.”
3. Tesco sets sights on Ocado by offering its store pick technology to international grocery businesses
Transcend Retail Solutions, a Tesco subsidiary led by its Strategy Director Oliver Vogt, is providing the UK supermarket giant’s software and hardware to international grocers, leveraging its vast experience in this space to enable them to fulfil online orders from their own stores.
According to The Sunday Times, a first deal has been signed with New Zealand’s biggest grocery retailer, Foodstuffs North Island, and talks are being held with other companies.
Tesco currently handles more than a million online orders a week, 85% of which are picked from its supermarkets.
“Our solutions are tried and tested,” Vogt told The Sunday Times. “We set up Transcend because we truly believe we have something to offer the market.”
Foodstuffs is tapping Tesco’s cloud-based picking software, which receives online orders and then maps, on handheld devices, the most efficient route for staff to pick the items from supermarket shelves.
The technology is live in two stores, operating under the PAK’nSAVE and New World brands, and plans are afoot to expand the roll-out across 150 locations. Transcend will also be able to deploy micro fulfilment centres inside retailers’ stores.
Tesco’s new venture sees it square up to UK rival Ocado, whose Ocado Solutions spin off offers smart e-commerce technology to global retailers.
4. Primark Data and AI Week event focuses on importance of data governance, data strategy and generative AI
In a LinkedIn post, dated 6th September, Daniel Doran, Data and Analytics Business Partner at Primark, said:
“As we reach the penultimate event of Data and AI Week, we reflect on eight events across five days.”
“Bébhinn Ní Chiosáin (Community of Practice Specialist (Analytics) at Primark) and Philip Clarke (Senior Analytics Practice Manager) led Alteryx and Tableau community user sessions in Arthur Ryan House supported by The Information Lab Ireland.”
Colleagues from across the business discussed the importance of data governance, data strategy, Gen AI through panel sessions focused on topics such as ESG reporting, digital customers and how technology has enabled a better picture of challenges and opportunities facing colleagues business wide.
5. Grocery giant Sainsbury’s enlists SAP, Accenture and AWS for multi-year transformation programme
Sainsbury’s has announced a new multi-year partnership with SAP that will see the consolidation of its legacy systems, with the aim of achieving increased business agility through cloud-based solutions, as well as a simplified and cost optimised technology estate.
SAP has been appointed to lead the design of the new solution in partnership with lead transformation partner Accenture and cloud provider AWS.
By adding new capability and capacity to its commercial systems, the retailer says it will be able to manage products on promotion in increasingly flexible ways, allowing a more tailored value experience for our customers.
The project will simplify and integrate Sainsbury’s systems and tools into one cohesive platform and create a single ecosystem for Sainsbury’s colleagues and suppliers to communicate.
Rhian Bartlett, Chief Food Commercial Officer at Sainsbury’s, says: “We’re excited to be working with a brilliant partner network in SAP, Accenture and AWS to completely revolutionise our commercial systems, which are the heart and lungs of our business operations.”
“This is a huge step forward in our Next Level Sainsbury’s plan, as we continue to invest in market leading technology that allows us to keep growing at pace and maintain our momentum towards becoming first choice for food.”
6. Amazon adds Morrisons More Points to Morrisons on Amazon store and rolls out new features
Amazon and Morrisons reports that customers can now earn MorePoints - Morrison’s loyalty scheme - when shopping on the Morrisons on Amazon store.
These can be claimed back as Morrisons More Card Fivers to spend either in the UK grocery retailer’s stores or on its website.
A launch deal will see five points available on every eligible Morrisons product, as well as 500 points for customers who register their loyalty account and spend £70 in a single order during the first two weeks after registration.
Elsewhere, Amazon has announced the introduction of ‘Grocery Day’ which means that customers can now book a recurring weekly delivery slot, with their basket pre-filled with their regular items.
It has also introduced a delivery pre-reservation feature allowing people to reserve a slot up front for a period of up to 60 minutes to ensure they can secure the delivery time that suits them the best.
The announcement comes as Morrisons and Amazon launch Morrisons on Amazon in Oxford.
7. Ingka Group and Ikea onboard with global initiative that aims to shape the future of artificial intelligence
Ingka Group, the largest Ikea franchisee holding company, has joined Partnership on AI (PAI), a new international organisation of 100+ partners, including companies such as Apple, Microsoft, Google, as well as nonprofits like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
Ikea will contribute to conversations around the ethical use of AI, helping ensure that its development is aligned with human centric values and societal needs.
This builds on the retailer’s implementation of a digital ethics framework across the company, focusing on responsible automation that puts people first, and launching an AI and Data Literacy movement to educate its workforce.
Parag Parekh, Chief Digital Officer (CDO) at Ikea Retail (Ingka Group), says: “Our participation in this partnership reflects our belief that AI has the potential to enhance our mission of creating a better everyday life for the many, while helping address some of the most pressing challenges facing society today, from climate change to resource management.”
“This includes leveraging AI for good to drive positive, long-lasting change. We are committed to this journey for the long-term.”
8. Grocery big hitter Ocado Retail enlists Zitcha for launch of new Ocado Ads retail media platform
Zitcha has partnered with Ocado Retail on the launch of its new retail media platform, Ocado Ads.
The tie up represents a significant advancement in retail media innovation and an exciting new chapter for Zitcha, according to Troy Townsend, the company’s Co-Founder and CEO.
“Ocado Retail will be the first in EMEA to implement our single customer view platform, demonstrating how our solution can empower existing retail media networks to drive growth and maximise performance,” he says.
“With the retail media sector in the UK projected to reach £3.2 billion this year, our partnership with Ocado Retail positions both companies at the forefront of this rapidly expanding market.”
“This collaboration exemplifies how Zitcha can transform the capabilities of major retailers, pushing the boundaries of retail media technology.”
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