Starring Zepto, Mattel, Aldi, and Instacart: RTIH rolls out the biggest retail technology news stories from August
It’s September, August is done and dusted, so let’s kick back and reflect on another eventful month for the retail systems space. Here's your briefing on the most important stories from August, including cashierless stores, payments partnerships, hefty follow-on financing rounds, and AI powered smart carts.
1. Ikea and Adyen shake hands on global online and in-store payments and loyalty partnership
Adyen has announced a global partnership with Ikea that, it says, will allow the retailer to connect the dots between in-store and digital sales channels and offer better payment and loyalty experiences for customers.
Ikea will tap Adyen’s single financial technology platform to gather customer payment data from both physical and digital channels.
Adyen’s solution also provides a closed-loop payment system offering worldwide processing, acquiring, local payment methods and like-for-like settlement capabilities for Ikea franchisees.
This reduces the amount of contracts and integrations for global IT operations, enabling simplified financial reporting and management of customer data. Adyen’s consolidation of the tech stack behind commercial operations also helps to minimise the risk of operational disturbances and the ability to troubleshoot.
2. Seeing double: Hamburg becomes only city in Germany to have two cashierless shopping REWE Pick&Go stores
A second REWE Pick&Go store has opened in Hamburg, powered by Trigo technology.
In a LinkedIn post, the retailer said: “After the successful launch of Europe's largest cashierless supermarket two months ago in the heart of Hamburg, the second store is now ready for operation.”
“Hamburg's First Mayor Dr. Peter Tschentscher gave the official starting signal for the REWE Pick&Go system in Altonaerstraße, corner of Amandastraße. If you don't yet know how such a cashierless shopping works, you should either stop by the store directly or our media centre.”
Customers will be able to choose between four different payment options: at the cash register; by scanning and paying at the self-checkout terminal; via computer vision support without scanning at the self-checkout terminal; or completely cashless when using an app.
Jochen Vogel, CEO at REWE Nord, says: “Hamburg is now the only city in Germany to have two REWE Pick&Go stores.”
“We were able to launch the markets just a few weeks apart. This was only possible thanks to the outstanding teamwork and close cooperation of all those involved. We all have a common goal: to offer our customers the best shopping experience.”
3. Indian rapid grocery delivery firm Zepto bags $340m in follow-on financing at $5bn valuation
Indian online grocery delivery app, Zepto, has secured $340 million in a follow-on financing round, placing the company at a $5 billion in valuation following its previous fundraise in June.
General Catalyst led the round, with Dragon Fund, and Epiq Capital joining as new investors. Existing backers such as StepStone, Lightspeed, DST, and Contrary also increased their stakes.
Zepto has now raised more than $1 billion in just two months.
“The rationale behind this follow-on financing was twofold,” says Aadit Palicha, Co-founder and CEO at Zepto, which he launched in 2021 alongside fellow Stanford University dropout Kaivalya Vohra.
“First, the opportunity to bring onboard a lead investor of Neeraj Arora’s calibre from General Catalyst was one we couldn't pass on. Second, strengthening our balance sheet is a strategic move, particularly as the company continues to deliver robust growth and operating leverage.”
“While these recent financings reflect strong confidence in Zepto’s performance to date, we recognise there is still a lot of execution ahead of us to fulfil our ambition of building a world class internet company out of India. At Zepto, we genuinely feel we are just at the beginning of our journey.”
4. 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.
5. Sainsbury’s expands long-term partnership with NCR Voyix as UK grocery giant upgrades checkout technology
Sainsbury’s has announced a seven-year agreement that expands the UK grocer’s more than 20-year strategic partnership with NCR Voyix.
Sainsbury’s is upgrading its checkout technology by rolling out the NCR Voyix Commerce Platform, Point of Sale solutions (PoS) and self-checkout systems to 22,500 checkouts across its supermarkets, convenience stores and petrol stations.
Leveraging NCR Voyix cloud technology, it says it will be able to help speed up the customer journey by receiving real-time data and analytics while harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) for sales analysis, estimating future store performance, colleague productivity and cash management.
The new platform will enable colleagues to approve transactions remotely via tablet, speeding up the checkout process and enhancing the shopping experience. Additionally, the self-checkout systems, powered by AI technologies, will deliver personalised promotions tailored to each customer.
Clodagh Moriarty, Chief Retail and Technology Director, says: “Our commitment to unbeatable quality food and great service, whether in store or online, is strengthened by NCR Voyix technology.”
“NCR Voyix has grown alongside Sainsbury’s for two decades, unlocking new capabilities and optimising product management, sales forecasting and store efficiencies. This is driving us to the next level and delivers for customers, colleagues and shareholders.”
6. Instacart announces first ever global launch of AI powered smart trolley Caper Carts with Aldi
Instacart and Aldi South Group are to expand their partnership globally.
This includes the roll-out of Instacart’s Connected Stores technologies across the retailer’s stores in the US, including In-Store mode and Carrot Tags, as well as fulfilment technology to power e-commerce orders.
And in a European first, Aldi South Group is testing Caper Carts in Austria, Instacart’s AI powered smart carts designed to ease the checkout process and personalise the shopping experience for customers.
Since 2017, Aldi has partnered with Instacart to provide same-day delivery for its customers in the US and will now deploy several Connected Stores technologies to further digitise its stores including:
In-Store mode: This helps customers see what’s in-stock, get important details about items on their list, sort items by aisle, and access in-store promotions and discounts through the Instacart app.
Carrot Tags: These have pick-to-light capabilities, meaning that Instacart shoppers can select an item on their phone and the corresponding shelf label will flash. Carrot Tags have launched in more than 100 Aldi stores in Illinois and Ohio and will roll-out nationwide in the coming months.
Pickup fulfilment technology: By leveraging the technology behind the Instacart Shopper app, Aldi South Group is streamlining fulfilment to power its e-commerce pickup orders.
Caper Carts: Customers can find the carts near the store entrance, start shopping by adding items directly into the cart, and keep an eye on their running total via the digital screen. Checkout is available through a “fast lane” if the customer is paying by card.
7. Walmart Marketplace launches pre-owned destination and unboxes new online fulfilment solutions
Walmart Marketplace, which allows third-party sellers to list their items on the US retail giant’s website, is introducing Resold at Walmart, its first digital destination for cross-category and cross-condition pre-owned items from performance managed sellers.
With five million items from more than 1,700 sellers, this offers customers a selection of goods from luxury fashion and electronics to collectibles, sporting goods and more.
According to a press release: “By extending the life of these products, Resold at Walmart aligns with our commitment to make the more sustainable choice the everyday choice and builds on the success of Walmart Restored, a collection of refurbished electronics and small appliances powered by Walmart Marketplace.”
Elsewhere, Walmart Fulfilment Services (WFS) is announcing new ways for sellers to quickly move merchandise across markets and use Walmart to fulfil any e-commerce retail order.
A new Multichannel Solutions programme allows sellers to use WFS to fulfil orders from any e-commerce site via Walmart’s supply chain.
Walmart says that it will fulfil orders and manage returns while offering plain, unbranded packaging, fast, reliable shipping and competitive rates averaging 15% lower than the competition.
The retailer is launching the programme on 10th September in time for holiday deliveries.
Through its new Walmart Cross Border import service for full container load shipments, WFS can now handle transportation of inbound goods from ports of origin in Asia directly to WFS facilities across the US.
Walmart is also opening its carrier network to sellers for full truckload shipments. Sellers using the Walmart Preferred Carrier programme through WFS can now choose to ship a few items or an entire truckload at special rates through carriers vetted by Walmart.
8. San Francisco 49ers and Levi’s Stadium stump up $200m for new venue features including Zippin powered concessions
New Zippin checkout-free concessions are part of a $200 million investment project at Levi’s Stadium, home of the National Football League's San Francisco 49ers.
This follows the stadium’s ten-year anniversary and comes in preparation for 2026, when it will become the first venue in history to host a FIFA World Cup and Super Bowl in the same year.
On the main concourse, frictionless concession stands will provide an alternative, cashierless way for fans to obtain basic food and beverage.
“Together, with our 49ers Faithful fans, members and corporate and event partners, we have collectively made Levi’s Stadium a world class sports and entertainment destination,” says Brent Schoeb, 49ers Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer.
“Throughout our first decade at Levi’s Stadium, we have cultivated an award winning experience. As we embark on the next decade of 49ers games, Super Bowl 60, FIFA World Cup, concerts and other events, we will continue investing in the fan experience.”
9. Primark extends Tata Consultancy Services retail technology deal to support retailer's plans for global growth
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has expanded its eight-year partnership with Primark, announcing a new five-year deal involving the retailer’s IT systems and new store openings.
TCS has been working with Primark since 2016.
As well as driving business critical integration programmes and stabilising core platforms for the retailer, it has also improved cybersecurity capabilities, boosting stability and reliability of processes and systems.
As part of the expanded partnership, TCS will look to transform Primark’s technology operating environment to make it more resilient, reliable, and efficient.
It will also work with Primark to adopt a more agile and product-based operating model by enabling automation through intelligent automation and DevOps technologies.
Andrew Brothers, Chief Information Officer, Primark, says: “To help support our ambitious growth plans we’re expanding our partnership with TCS to build a robust, resilient, and reliable IT operating environment to become a more efficient, technology led global organisation with the agility to quickly adapt to changing demands and requirements in a fast-paced industry.”
“Working with TCS will provide us with the ongoing operational stability and accountability needed to support our business to scale. This will allow us to respond to market trends and customer preferences in a timely manner, ensuring that we continue to deliver quality products at the best value for our customers.”
10. Woolworths Group in talks to acquire assets of micro-fulfilment centres firm Takeoff Technologies for $2.5 million
Woolworths Group is working on deal to acquire Takeoff Technologies’ assets for $2.5 million.
The Woolworths Group news was broken on LinkedIn by Brittain Ladd, a supply chain consultant and former Amazon executive, who cited unnamed sources.
Ladd commented: “There are still details being worked out. Note: Woolworths DID NOT buy the company Takeoff Technologies - they only acquired its assets. Takeoff Technologies is effectively out of business.”
He added: “I'm not surprised that the Woolworths Group was the winning bidder as they plan on continuing to utilise Takeoff’s micro-fulfilment centres to fulfil online grocery orders.”
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