Including Ikea, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Primark: RTIH’s biggest retail technology stories during September
It’s almost October, September is nearly 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 September, including GO Outdoors, Volumental, Co-op, Deliveroo, Just Eat, Uber Eats, MediaMarkt, Ocado, Zitcha, and Retail Technology Show 2025.
1. GO Outdoors York boosts in-store journey with Volumental technology powered GO Fit Station deployment
GO Outdoors recently opened a new store in York, boasting 125,000 sq ft of space with over 380 brands covering walking, camping and caravanning, watersports, running, fishing, horse riding, climbing, and cycling.
The retailer has developed a KUDOS RUN initiative and integrated Volumental’s 3D foot scanning and dynamic gait analysis technology as the centrepiece of its GO Fit Station.
Shoppers are able to scan their feet, walk across the dynamic pressure plate, and get personalised recommendations on their ideal type, style, and size of running shoes.
In a LinkedIn post, Volumental said: “Kudos to the entire GO Outdoors team for creating an exceptional retail experience that puts the customer first. Their commitment to innovation and delivering the right fit is a shining example of how forward thinking retailers are elevating the in-store journey.”
2. 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.”
3. Co-op launches 24 hour delivery service in Leeds, London and Manchester via Deliveroo, Just Eat, Uber Eats
Co-op is launching 24-hour delivery from stores in city centre locations, via its partners Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats.
New research from the UK convenience retailer shows that over 40% of quick commerce shoppers would use a 11pm to 5am delivery service if available.
This figure rises to around almost one in two consumers aged between 18-44, with the service most popular for Gen Z shoppers aged 18-24 (52.3%) who are most likely to use the offering.
Further research suggested that those in London were most likely to use it (55.2%) with the data showing that those in Wales were least likely (26.47%). An estimated six million UK adults believe the main reason for this was due to their work pattern or shift.
The 24 hour service is launching this month in Leeds, London and Manchester stores where there is strong online grocery demand at non-traditional times, with stores selected based on the local demographic, a concentration of delivery driver availability and where stores are already staffed around the clock for replenishment purposes.
In addition, Co-op has also extended its online availability in more than 1,600 stores within the store’s existing opening hours, helping more customers to shop later in the evening. This is part of its ambition to reach more than a one-third share of the quick commerce market.
4. 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 this month.
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.
Tesco’s technology approach favours in-house expertise to prioritise the good integration of systems. But the strategy, discussed by Tesco’s CEO separately in the morning at the FT event also allows for reselling and effective partnerships, should the grocer decide to go down that route.
The grocer’s technology approach is flexible enough to meet the changing needs of this decade where digital marketplaces, quick convenient omnichannel commerce, delivery or collect options, automation and data mastery are to the fore.
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. MediaMarkt opens Europe's largest electronics store in Hamburg with plans for 20 flagship locations by 2026
MediaMarkt, a German multinational chain of stores selling consumer electronics with over 1,000 locations in ten countries in Europe, has announced the newest addition within the retailer’s ‘Lighthouse' concept.
This is pitched as a store that brings together technology, innovation and experience in a way you won't find anywhere else.
Highlights include:
15,000 m² of retail space with four floors of tech and innovation
47 branded boutiques, including Apple, Samsung Electronics and the LEGO Group
3,500 m² of gaming experience in the Xperion space with 130 game stations
Event arena that can accommodate 200 people
The ambition is to have 20 of these flagship stores in Europe by 2026.
7. Retail Technology Show 2025 website goes live as leading event makes move from London Olympia to ExCel
The new Retail Technology Show website has gone live, ahead of the 2025 event, set to take place at London ExCel on 2nd-3rd April.
Retail Technology Show 2024, which took place at London Olympia in April, welcomed over 12,500 retail professionals to its two-day event, an increase of attendee numbers by +28% year-on-year.
Described by Charles Tyrwhitt’s Nick Wheeler as “eye opening”, the organisers (Nineteen) delivered their biggest innovation showcase to date, with 400+ technology providers and innovators exhibiting across two exhibition halls.
Nourished’s CEO, Melissa Snover, pointed to the sheer breadth and depth of the technologies being showcased this year, commenting: “there’s a huge amount of different people from all elements of retail, and some incredible technologies coming out.”
8. Primark announces next step in journey to nationwide store roll-out of Click & Collect service
Primark reports that 54 new stores are joining its Click & Collect service before Christmas.
The retailer is also introducing menswear to Click & Collect for the first time, launching in its 57 existing stores across England and North Wales from today.
A Primark spokesperson comments: “This is just the next step on our journey to a nationwide roll-out of Click & Collect across all our stores in England, Scotland and Wales by the end of next year. Stay tuned as more store dates and locations will be coming soon!”
9. 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.”
10. 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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