Startups and incumbents collide in AI space: our most read retail technology articles from last week
Check out the articles on this here website that caught your fancy last week, including Rohlik Group, Vista Technology Support, NRF 2025, Hugo Boss, Cognizant, Eurocell, Peak AI, Doji, and Loopi.
Rohlik Group's Vineta Bajaj talks global expansion, automation, Amazon tie ups and fund raising
This January marks two years since Vineta Bajaj joined European e-grocery retailer Rohlik Group as Chief Financial Officer. Her appointment followed a ten-year stint at Ocado Group.
During her tenure, she helped to transition the Ocado business from a pureplay retailer to a technology business licensing grocery technology and fulfilment globally. She also raised significant capital, led strategic M&A and supported the company’s international expansion. Her focus has been the same at Rohlik Group.
Hugo Boss goes live with AI powered product content across global e-commerce platforms
Hugo Boss has launched AI powered product content live across its e-commerce platforms globally.
“This isn’t just about leveraging cutting-edge technology, it’s about delivering meaningful innovation that drives tangible results for our customers and our business,” says Jan Philipp Wintjes, Executive Vice President Global Omnichannel.
He adds: “By harnessing the power of AI, the Hugo Boss Web3 & Immersive Experiences team is pioneering the use of advanced AI tools in image and video creation. This launch represents a future where technology seamlessly meets creativity and precision. This is AI in action, not as a concept, but as a catalyst for growth, efficiency, and improved customer experiences.”
NRF 2025 review: what’s next in technology for the retail and hospitality industry?
NRF: Retail’s Big Show is one of the most highly anticipated events in the retail industry, uniting the brightest minds in technology and innovation from around the world.
This year, Vista Technology Support had the privilege of attending once again, allowing us to dive into groundbreaking innovations, connect with industry leaders, engage with disruptive tech pioneers, and uncover the future game changers set to redefine the retail and hospitality landscapes.
From AI powered solutions to the next wave of immersive customer experiences, the show offered us a glimpse into the future of these industries. The cutting-edge technology on display promises to revolutionise the industry, and it’s exciting to see how these advancements will propel the industry forward.
In this article, Vista shares its key takeaways, insights, and recommendations from the show, so you can stay ahead of the curve and leverage the latest innovations to elevate your strategies.
Cognizant: as AI influenced buying evolves retailers must navigate mixed consumer attitudes
This also found that currently, 47% of consumers across all age groups feel comfortable using AI to help choose products and services. While 28% are fine with AI reordering low cost items, 75% won’t trust it to automatically reorder or pay for high value purchases without approval.
The study also predicts that US consumers who embrace AI could drive 46% of spending by 2030. In Australia, this projection rises to 55% over the same period. In Germany it's estimated at 46%.
Eurocell overhauls and boosts inventory management process by deploying Peak AI powered solution
Eurocell, a UK manufacturer, distributor, and recycler of UPVC window, door, conservatory, and roofline systems, says it has overhauled and optimised its inventory management through its partnership with Peak.
Using artificial intelligence, it has streamlined inventory management across its network of over 220 branches.
With a diverse product range spanning traded, manufactured, and made to order goods, Eurocell faced the challenge of balancing inventory levels across its nationwide network of over 220 branches.
Peak AI’s Inventory AI solution was deployed to address these challenges. Harnessing real-time inventory tracking and AI powered demand forecasting, Peak’s algorithms provided dynamic restocking targets tailored to Eurocell’s operational needs.
These targets were integrated into Eurocell’s ERP system, and have enabled optimised stock levels across the entire branch network, enhanced visibility of inventory for branch managers and accurate demand signals for better forecasting and recommendations.
Focus on disruption and sustainability as second hand clothing platform Loopi goes live in the UK
Loopi, a second hand clothing platform, launches in the UK today.
It's the brainchild of Sarah Dean and Carl Walker who previously launched and scaled GoThrift to a £12 million turnover business in five years.
True AI native startups are just getting started as tech incumbents fail to impress at NRF 2025
In a LinkedIn post, he flagged up examples of "big companies issuing shallow 'Hey, don't forget about us - we're AI too' type press releases".
"Big companies care far more about their existing business and the next quarter's revenue. True innovation from within is often a direct threat to the existing business and is therefore quickly snuffed out," Goetsch argued.
AI powered startup Doji enters private beta as it targets fun new way to shop for fashion online
A new startup Doji is enabling online fashion fans to create their AI likeness, try on real products and shop their favourite looks.
In a LinkedIn post, CEO and Co-founder Dorian Dargan (formerly of Meta, Apple and YouNow), said: "Until now, it’s never been possible to try-on clothes when shopping online - making it hard to know what looks good on you. My co-founder Jim Winkens and I needed a creative tool to explore new looks and products - so we decided to build it for ourselves."
He added: "As fashion lovers with deep AI and consumer expertise, we’re uniquely equipped to build this. Jim is an ex-Google DeepMind researcher and AI engineer, and I designed frontier consumer products at Apple, Meta and YouNow. Doji feels like the perfect culmination of our interests and skills."
The venture is in private beta and accepting testers for its iOS app, with select spots available. You can join the waitlist here.
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