M&S Chairman Archie Norman headlines RTS 2025: the biggest retail technology stories from December
As 2025 gets underway, let’s start the ball rolling by kicking back and reflecting on another eventful month for the retail systems space. Here's your briefing on the most important stories from December, including Walmart, Roblox, Puma, Sitoo, H&M Group, Voyado, Legion Technologies, Pricer, Sobeys, and the RTIH AI in Retail Awards.
1. RTIH AI in Retail Awards celebrates technology innovation amid a digital transformation revolution
RTIH, organiser of the industry leading RTIH Innovation Awards, proudly brings you the first edition of the RTIH AI in Retail Awards, which is now open for entries.
As we witness a digital transformation revolution across all channels, AI tools are reshaping the omnichannel game, from personalising customer experiences to optimising inventory, uncovering insights into consumer behaviour, and enhancing the human element of retailers' businesses.
As AI sees increasing adoption in the retail space, our newly launched awards celebrate global technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world and the resulting benefits for retailers, shoppers and employees.
Our 2025 winners will be those companies who not only recognise the potential of AI, but also make it usable in everyday work - resulting in more efficiency and innovation in all areas.
Winners will be announced at an evening event at The Barbican in Central London on Thursday, 3rd July. This will kick off with a drinks reception in the stunning Conservatory, followed by a three course meal, and awards ceremony in the Garden Room.
2. Marks and Spencer Chairman Archie Norman set to headline Retail Technology Show 2025 conference
Chairman of M&S, Archie Norman, has been confirmed to headline the 2025 edition of Retail Technology Show (RTS).
Debuting in its new home, ExCeL London, RTS will welcome 15,000 retail professionals on 2nd and 3rd April. Speaking on the Headline Stage on day one, Norman will join ‘Customer Whisperer’ Kate Hardcastle, for a fireside chat to discuss M&S’ recent transformation and its work on sustainability.
The session will also explore how the retailer has substantially changed its omnichannel delivery, how it uses its Sparks programme to drive customer loyalty and insight as well as how it has led its workforce through periods of huge disruption.
Having held the role of Chairman of M&S since 2017, Norman has also been instrumental in transforming several major retailers and brands, including Kingfisher, Asda, ITV and Hobbycraft. He was also the first and only FTSE 100 Chairman to be elected a Member of Parliament (MP), where he served for eight years.
As Chairman at Signal AI, he will also cover how retailers can use AI to drive profit and market share.
He comments: “I am thrilled to be speaking at the UK’s largest retail event and sharing the story of how we are reshaping M&S under the new leadership team.”
“It is an exciting opportunity to delve into our pioneering work in sustainability, our drive to deliver omnichannel experiences and how we are redeveloping to build more personalised customer relationships. In a perpetually changing world, I look forward to discussing how to rejuvenate great retail brands, turnaround businesses and create engaged workforces.”
3. Fashion giant H&M Group acquires minority ownership stake in Swedish retail technology platform Voyado
Omnichannel customer engagement specialist Voyado reports that H&M Group has acquired a minority ownership stake in the company.
Erik Lagerblad, Head of H&M Group Ventures, says: "We are really impressed by Voyado's journey so far. After rolling out their solution globally, we’ve seen firsthand the difference it makes in creating value at scale.”
“That's why it makes perfect sense for the H&M Group to deepen our partnership through an investment, which will further support Voyado's future growth and strengthen their offering for other enterprise customers.”
The company lays claims to significant market share across the Nordics and Benelux, and it is now focused on expanding into key markets such as the UK, and Germany.
Erica Sandelin Ekelund, CEO at Voyado, says: "Our ambition is to establish Voyado as Northern Europe's most beloved retail tech companion while maintaining profitability and scalability. H&M Group's investment brings valuable insights and resources that align with our efforts to scale faster and expand into new segments, creating value for our existing and future customers.”
4. Legion Technologies bags $50 million from Silicon Valley Bank for AI powered workforce management
Legion Technologies, a specialist in workforce management, has received $50 million in financing from Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), a division of First Citizens Bank. The raise, which brings Legion’s total funding to $195 million, follows a $50 million growth round led by Riverwood Capital earlier this year.
“From the beginning, we have been on a mission to improve hourly jobs and the capital we’ve received from investors this year demonstrates the enduring value of that mission,” says Sanish Mondkar, Founder and CEO at Legion Technologies.
“Our tremendous growth stems from the accelerating need for effective workforce management solutions, and this latest financing from SVB further proves that our intelligently automated, employee centric platform is the best choice for today’s hourly employees.”
“There is increased demand for AI native workforce management solutions that can improve both labour operations and the employee experience,” says Marisa Phan, Managing Director at Silicon Valley Bank.
“Legion has successfully been working to transform the hourly work experience to meet the needs of the modern employee. With this latest financing, we are proud to support Legion as it enables intelligent automation to shape a new future of work.”
5. Primark Click and Collect service now available at more than half of budget retailer’s British stores
“It's been great to see such a positive reception to the new service from our colleagues and customers, and to be part of bringing the best of Primark to more people. Watch this space after the Christmas break for more launches,” says Grace Fisher, Click & Collect Lead.
Kari Rodgers, UK Retail Director at Primark, says: "We’re already seeing strong uptake for Click & Collect as we continue to roll-out the service nationwide, and we expect this demand to grow as we head into the busy festive shopping season. We hope our customers up and down the country find their shopping experiences just that little bit easier this year thanks to the added convenience our service brings.”
"Now that Click & Collect is available at more than half of our British stores, we’re pleased to be offering shoppers more opportunities than ever to enjoy our great value, affordable fashion."
6. Canadian grocery and pharmacy retailer Sobeys expands Pricer Plaza installation with JRTech Solutions agreement
After a first wave of 50 stores, Sobeys is entering into an agreement with Pricer’s partner, JRTech Solutions, for an expected deployment of five million electronic shelf labels across Canada at an expected order value of 485 MSEK.
The initial order from Sobeys for deployment of ESLs in 50 of its stores, that was reported in June as an order from a Tier 1 North American grocery retailer, was the first large scale full-store deployment of four colour labels in North America.
Sobeys is one of the largest grocery chains in North America with over 1,500 grocery and pharmacy stores.
The roll-out of Pricer’s in-store automation and communication solution, consisting of the cloud-based platform Pricer Plaza and electronic shelf labels, is expected to be completed by 30th April 2026.
7. Fast. Fresh. Food. Lekkerland SE and Reckon.ai team on REWE To Go autonomous store in German train station
REWE To Go and Lekkerland SE have launched an autonomous store at Koblenz Central train station, Germany.
This is powered by AI smart cabinets in partnership with Reckon.ai.
The 65 sqm store is open 24/7. People can scan their card to enter and then a cashless means of payment at the payment terminal on a smart fridge, and take their items.
Weight sensors and computer vision cameras record which products have been removed. The amount due is automatically debited from the chosen payment method. In addition, there is the option of selecting products at smart vending machines with touch displays and then receiving them via an output compartment.
This is used in particular for tobacco and alcoholic products. Age verification by scanning an identity card or driver's licence ensures compliance with youth protection regulations.
8. VusionGroup snags deal to expand its digital retail technology solutions across all Walmart U.S. stores
VusionGroup has inked a contract extension to accelerate the deployment of its solutions across the entire Walmart U.S. 4,600-store fleet.
‘’We are pleased with the results of the programme roll-out this year and are looking forward to further expanding to more stores. Digital shelf labels have been a game-changer and simplifies the daily activities of our store teams, while providing a better shopping experience for our customers,” says Greg Cathey, SVP, Transformation & Innovation at Walmart U.S.
The EdgeSense and VusionCloud solutions designed by VusionGroup were integrated into Walmart stores to enable increased associate productivity, simplified stock replenishment and faster online order picking.
With a launch of the programme in almost 500 stores, Walmart U.S. is now accelerating the pace of installations and is ready for deployment across its fleet.
9. Puma partners with Point of Sale and unified commerce specialist Sitoo and wraps UK stores roll-out
Puma has chosen Sitoo to power its stores globally and enable the provision of a unified shopping experience to customers.
The sports brand says that the move will bring all its stores together with one seamless global solution, with the aim of simplifying processes, integrating physical and digital commerce, and enabling store associates to provide the best possible customer service.
“Before choosing Sitoo, we conducted a comprehensive review of all available solutions in the market,” says Baris Bölükbasi, Senior Director Global Retail at Puma Group. “After an extensive evaluation, we concluded that Sitoo was the best choice for us. The roll-out in our UK stores has already delivered good results, confirming that Sitoo is the right partner to help us achieve our goals.”
“We are thrilled to partner with Puma, one of the most iconic and biggest brands in the world,” says Jens Levin, CEO and Co-Founder at Sitoo.
“This partnership and the trust it has placed in us, is a testament to the strength of our solution. We look forward to working together to shape the future of retail and create exceptional experiences for Puma’s customers around the globe.”
10. Walmart Discovered on Roblox racks up 30 million total visits and more than 2.1 million hours of play time
Walmart’s virtual experience on Roblox, Walmart Discovered, has officially surpassed 30 million total visits with a sustained approval rating of 96% and more than 2.1 million hours of play time (source: GEEIQ).
The milestone comes as Walmart Discovered Holiday Update on Roblox goes live, with the US retail giant launching its first ever emote as chosen by its community. The update also includes new real-world items with free virtual items in a gifting pop-up.
Other highlights include:
Virtual Holiday Market with curated UGC and experiences
Gifting feature and holiday rewards calendar with daily updates
Free limited UGC and festive in-game effects for avatars
New winter themed cart upgrades and effects for Glide & Seek
Weekly community events and discussions on Discord
Updated AR experience with new UGC and limited time quest
“From the beginning, Walmart Discovered has been an experience by and for the community. And in my opinion, our community first approach, which we consistently lean on to make decisions, is the driving force of our success,” says Justin Breton, Head of Brand Marketing Innovation at Walmart.
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