Starring MediaMarkt, Glovo, and Footasylum: 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 Asda, Amazon, MediaMarkt, Metropolitan Market, The Very Group, Footasylum, Nespresso, and HIVED.

1. 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.

2. Buy now pay later firm Zilch adds former Aviva CEO Mark Wilson to its board and turns profitable

UK FinTech firm, Zilch, has announced the appointment to its board of Mark Wilson, former CEO at Aviva and AIA and current member of BlackRock’s board of directors.

The company, which was founded in 2018, also reports its first month of operating profit (although a press release did not provide any exact figures), while surpassing a revenue run rate of more than $130 million (£100 million) in July.

Plans are afoot to pursue an initial public offering either next year or in 2026, with London and New York expected to compete for the listing.

Rival Klarna is set to announce plans for a New York flotation early next year. In total, Zilch has raised close to £400 million in equity and debt since it was founded.

3. Glovo appoints Shiro Theuri as Chief Technology Officer following stint as Senior Director of Engineering

Spain-based multi-category delivery app Glovo has announced the appointment of Shiro Theuri as Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

Since 2022, she has held the position of Senior Director of Engineering.

Before her move from Nairobi, Kenya to Barcelona, Spain to join the company, Theuri held senior engineering roles across a range of startups and small businesses in Kenya, including as VP of Engineering of the end-to-end fulfilment platform Sendy, and CTO of the mobile campaign messaging service FrontlineSMS. 

In her new role as CTO, she is responsible for leading the development of new solutions that optimise the user experience for all of Glovo’s stakeholders across the 23 markets where the platform is available. .

Oscar Pierre, Co-founder and CEO at Glovo, says: “Since joining Glovo in 2022, Shiro has proven herself as an ambitious, hands-on and skilled leader guiding her teams to success.”

“She is driven to build a culture based on ambition, discipline and high standards while giving tons of trust and empowerment to the top talent in her team.”

“Passionate for innovation, she creates a unique vision that will enable Glovo to continue its successful growth. This appointment as CTO reflects her depth of experience and exceptional leadership, and I’m excited to continue working closely with her to build the largest online marketplace across the more than 1,500 cities where we operate.”

4. Just Eat agrees rapid grocery delivery tie up with REWE Group, service initially available in 40+ cities

Just Eat has announced a nationwide partnership with REWE Group, one of Germany’s largest supermarket chains.

Customers in the country can now have groceries delivered to their homes within 45 minutes. The service is initially available in over 40 cities.

In a LinkedIn post, Just Eat said: “The offer expands Lieferando's (the brand name the company uses in Germany and Austria) marketplace with one of the strongest brands in the food retail sector.”

“Customers can order from a wide range of more than 3,000 products - from fresh food and everyday goods for cooking, as an ingredient, side dish or snack - giving them even more choice and convenience when using Lieferando.”

“With this partnership, we are the first food ordering platform in the industry to welcome one of Germany's largest food retailers to our marketplace. With this new partnership, we are adding REWE's product diversity to our service portfolio,” says Lennard Neubauer, Managing Director at Lieferando.

5. Amazon launches rapid grocery delivery from Metropolitan Market and expands Weis Markets tie up

Amazon is now offering same-day grocery delivery from select Metropolitan Market locations serving customers in the Greater Seattle area.

Customers in Sammamish, Queen Anne, Tacoma and Crown Hill can now place grocery orders online.

To celebrate the launch, Amazon is offering Prime members free delivery on their first three orders of $10 or more. It is also expanding its existing grocery delivery service with Weis Markets to six additional stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York (Hillsborough, NJ, Doylestown, PA, York, PA, Lititz, PA, Milton, PA, and Binghamton, NY).

“By teaming up with well loved grocers like Metropolitan Market, we’re offering our customers in the Greater Seattle area even more selection, value, and convenience as they shop for their favourite foods online,” says Christian Seitel, Amazon’s Head of U.S. Grocery Partnerships.

“We look forward to expanding our two-hour delivery window offering to more Metropolitan Market and Weis Markets locations in the future.” 

6. Online retailer and financial services provider The Very Group launches new data academy with Multiverse

The Very Group, operator of digital retailer Very, has launched training to develop its data professionals through a new degree level data academy.

It says that the initiative will aim to further improve the retailer’s data capability to support decisions that enhance the customer experience, increase efficiency and productivity, and unlock growth opportunities.

The programme will be delivered by Multiverse, which has trained more than 16,000 apprentices in data and digital skills since 2016.

The data academy will see 11 data professionals initially enrol onto a 39-month degree-level Advanced Data Fellowship course, which will build on their existing skills and give them more in-depth data analysis training.

Rob McCormick, Head of Data at The Very Group, says: “As data has become such an important part of business decision-making, our data teams are in high demand, which can restrict the time spent on more strategic initiatives.”

“Through our partnership with Multiverse, we’re confident that we can increase efficiency and productivity through data and automation, benefitting our digital brands and our four-and-a-half million active customers.”

7. New trial sees Asda lay claim to being the first UK supermarket to sell refurbished TVs in its stores

Asda has announced that customers in six locations will now be able to purchase refurbished TVs in what is being pitched as a first for a UK supermarket.   

The grocery giant has launched a trial which has seen it refurbish three models of returned HD LED Smart Sharp and Polaroid TVs at its ERC (electrical returns centre) using recycled materials - and they will now be sold in its stores from as little as £100.   

Customers in Folkestone, Leeds, Glasgow, Sunderland and Ellesmere Port, will be able to pick up one of three sizes of the TVs, including a 32”, 40” and 50”. 

Energy ratings, barcodes and images have all printed been on the box for the TVs, which have been re-packaged to make clear to customers that they are refurbished.  

Recommended retail price for a new HD LED 50” Smart Polaroid TV is £240, meaning customers could make a saving of up to £80 should they opt for a refurbished model for £160.

8. Nespresso and HIVED team up to offer Londoners a more sustainable and convenient coffee delivery experience

Nespresso UK has partnered with HIVED, an all electric delivery service, on sustainable coffee orders in London.

The aim of the tie up is to enhance the customer experience while notably reducing carbon emissions.

Nespresso customers can now track their orders in real-time, receive live updates, and access instant customer support through HIVED's platform.

The partnership will seek to reduce carbon emissions by up to 76% per parcel, potentially saving over 10,000kg of CO2 emissions monthly across approximately 60,000 Nespresso deliveries in London.

Murvah Iqbal, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, HIVED, says: “Nespresso is an incredible cup of coffee, and we are delighted to be working as its delivery partner. Londoners can now get their coffee moments with an elevated and more sustainable delivery experience, at the same time.”

“As we continue to expand our operations across London and beyond, this partnership is a great example of how HIVED can support major brands like Nespresso, through its fast, reliable and uncomplicated delivery experience for customers.”

9. Hello Aberdeen as Footasylum goes live with another NewStore and Adyen tech powered mobile PoS store

Footasylum has opened its second fully mobile PoS store (no fixed till points), powered by NewStore and Adyen using Apple Tap to Pay and other FinTech solutions to drive physical conversion.

The store is located in Aberdeen with more locations set to follow this year.

2023 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

NewStore emerged victorious at the 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards, picking up the Omnichannel Retail Initiative of the Year gong for its work with Footasylum.

Our winners were revealed at a fantastic awards ceremony, which took place at the Barbican Centre in central London.

The event was held on Wednesday, 29th November, maintaining its popular evening format, with a drinks reception in the stunning Conservatory, followed by a Christmas themed three course meal, and awards ceremony in the Garden Room.

Check out the full winners list here.

10. Focus on cutting-edge AI as eBay veteran Diana Pulnar joins Outfittery as Chief Product & Tech Officer

European personal shopping service, Outfittery, has announced Diana Pulnar as its new Chief Product & Technology Officer (CPTO).

In a LinkedIn post, CEO and Co-founder, Julia Bösch, said: “Our journey together spans years. I first met Diana several years ago, and I immediately knew I wanted her on our team.”

“While the timing didn’t work out back then, we reconnected over coffee a few months ago, and this time, it clicked! Fun fact: Diana has been on my ‘secret list’ of people I’ve always hoped to work with, and I’m overjoyed that it has now become a reality.”

She added: “Diana brings over 20 years of experience, including her role as Senior Director of Product at eBay. She’s navigated the complexities of large corporations and the fast pace of startups like StudiVZ, making her a versatile and visionary leader.”

“Her passion for technology, product innovation, and customer centric thinking is unparalleled. In an industry that still has far too few women and mothers in leadership roles, Diana stands out as a true role model.”

As CPTO, Pulnar will focus on driving innovation, transforming the shopping experience with cutting-edge AI, and creating solutions fuelled by deep customer insights.