Starring Ocado, Tesco, and Marks and Spencer: RTIH’s most read retail technology articles from last week
Check out the articles on this here website that caught your fancy last week, including FT Live: Future of Retail 2024, eCommerce Expo, TrusTrace, Xoriant, Carbon Trail, InPost UK, Shopify, Ikea, Tesco, Northeast Grocery, Simbe, TikTok, and the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards.
Ocado customers left fuming as online grocery retailer says sorry and cancels deliveries at last minute
Ocado customers took to social media to vent spleen after the online grocery retailer cancelled deliveries at late notice last week.
In an email sent to customers, Laura Harricks, Chief Customer Officer, Ocado Retail, said: “We’re very sorry, but we’re unable to deliver your Ocado order. Of course, you won’t be charged for this order.”
She added: “You can rebook the same order if you like. Just log in to ocado.com as normal and select ‘Rebook’ to choose a new date and time.To make it up to you, here’s a £20.00 voucher. It’s valid until 16/12/2024. Thank you for your understanding. Sincerest apologies.”
FT Live: Future of Retail 2024 review – Tesco CEO Ken Murphy talks about the seismic impact of AI
“There have been waves of technology disruption historically. We are on the cusp of another one with AI,” said Murphy in conversation with moderator, Laura Onita, Retail Correspondent at the Financial Times, during the opening session of the conference. “AI will impact every facet of our business.”
Murphy argued that we’re already on the fourth or fifth generation of AI, starting in the late 2000s and moving into machine learning applications last decade to improve supply chains, promotions in retail and so on.
“AI has already had a huge impact,” he commented. “But we’re now into the generative AI era with ChatGPT and the like, which is even more powerful.”
“You still need to be careful and have good oversight when introducing it. But it is developing so fast you do need to embrace it. Allow yourself to make mistakes in a controlled environment.”
2024 RTIH Innovation Awards: don’t delay, enter today!
There are only five weeks left to submit your entries for the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards.
Deadline for submissions is Friday, 25th October.
The awards, sponsored by CADS, 3D Cloud, Retail Technology Show 2025, and Business France celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
It's free to enter and you can do so across multiple categories.
Download our handy guide to entering the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards.
Friday, 25th October: Award entry deadline
Tuesday, 29th October: 2024 shortlist revealed
30th October-6th November: Judging days
Thursday, 21st November: Winners announced at the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards ceremony, to be held at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ.
UK high street giant Marks and Spencer appoints retail technology veteran Paul Sims as Chief Architect
Paul Sims has joined Marks and Spencer as Chief Architect. He comes onboard from Primark, where he held the same role.
Sims’s CV also includes stints as Chief Technology Officer at Halfords, Head of Technology Planning at New Look, and Principal Architect at Sainsbury’s.
FT Live: Future of Retail 2024: Tesco CTO overhauls legacy IT and shows how to maximise digital RoI
Tesco had an “ageing tech stack” when Guus Dekkers joined them last decade, admitted the grocer’s Chief Technology Officer at the FT Live: Future of Retail 2024 event in London last week.
He outlined how this has been overhauled, alongside seeking a return on digital investment by adopting a build and tech reselling approach.
A new micro-fulfilment in-store picking software solution was recently rolled out at Tesco as an example of this approach. It has been offered to non-core rivals in New Zealand as a way to monetise its build, not buy technology approach but a wider roll-out is imminent.
TrusTrace, Xoriant and Carbon Trail come together for launch of product claims solution for brands
TrusTrace, which has developed a platform for product traceability and supply chain compliance in fashion and retail, has announced a collaboration with platform engineering firm Xoriant and environmental impact data firm Carbon Trail to deliver a solution supporting international brands that want to implement more product marketing accountability.
“In a rapidly evolving industry in which regulations are becoming more stringent and consumer expectations are higher than ever, this partnership is a pioneering initiative; we are addressing not only today’s challenges, but we’re paving the way for a more sustainable future,” says TrusTrace CEO and Co-Founder Shameek Ghosh.
Shopify online retailers now able to offer InPost UK parcel locker delivery option to their customers
Shopify retailers can now download the InPost UK app to give their customers parcel lockers as a delivery option in checkout.
In a LinkedIn post, Neil Kuschel, CEO at InPost UK, said: “Speak to the team if you want more info, but with nearly 8,000 lockers around the country and a rapidly increasing demand from consumers for cost-effective 24/7 flexibility, lockers are the future!”
US retailer Northeast Grocery deploys Simbe’s Tally AI and automation solution across its store aisles
Northeast Grocery has launched Simbe’s Tally robot in select Price Chopper, Market 32 and Tops Friendly Markets locations.
It has introduced the AI and automation solution across many of its markets in New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Vermont, and New Hampshire.
Scott Kessler, EVP, CIO at Northeast Grocery, says: “Tally’s autonomous, AI powered technology will navigate store aisles, scanning shelves to identify out-of-stock items and pricing discrepancies. This means more accurate pricing at checkout and better product availability for customers.”
Self-serve Ikea lockers land at Tesco Dereham Extra and Cambridge Newmarket Road Superstore
Ikea and Tesco are adding self-serve Ikea pick up lockers at Tesco’s Dereham Extra and Cambridge Newmarket Road Superstore as part of a trial between the two retailers.
These are among just three locations in the UK selected for the trial.
Customers can order a wide range of Ikea products, from home accessories and homewares to furniture, for collection at their nearest automated locker, which is available 24/7.
eCommerce Expo 2024 review: focus on TikTok Shop and why the future of digital commerce is social
Social commerce in the UK is predicted to rise from £7.4 billion to almost £16 billion by 2028, according to a report cited by Nora Zukauskaite, Integrated Marketing Director at TikTok Shop UK, during an eCommerce Expo 2024 debate on 18th September at London’s ExCel, about the future of digital commerce.
“Naturally, I agree,” said Zukauskaite. “Socials are the future.”
She explained to attendees that TikTok UK is now three years old and still growing rapidly, with tools such as its Live Showcasing video and buy presentations - the modern day digital equivalent of a Tupperware party with added data insights.
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