Starring Tesco, Ingenico, and Zalando: RTIH brings you this week's biggest retail technology stories

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 few days, including M&S, TCS, Goddiva, Simbe, Harmons, Circus, REWE Group, Robot.com, Reckon.ai, and Whatnot.

1. Tesco adds new feature to Scan as you Shop solution as retailer's store shopping trip evolves

Tesco has launched a new feature for its customers on the UK grocery giant’s Scan as you Shop solution.

Here’s how it works: customers build an in-store shopping list on the Tesco app (find it on the in-store section). They head to the scanner wall and unlock their handset with a Clubcard in the Tesco app (no sign up required).

They then tap the List tab to see their shopping list and tick items off automatically as they scan. People can order it by aisle number and see stock levels for each item. The aim here is to help customers remember everything they came to buy and be more efficient with their route around the store, saving time and avoiding the frustration of forgetting that one thing they came in to get.

In a LinkedIn post, Nazma Ali, Head of Product at Tesco, said: “We have lots planned in this area so watch this space. Massive thanks to the brilliant teams across Product, Engineering, Data and Design, who helped bring this to life, and to all our list building customers for the feedback so far. Excited to see how our roadmap evolves in this part of the store shopping trip.”

2. M&S ditches IT service desk tie up with TCS following high profile cyber attack on UK retailer

Marks and Spencer has called time on a contract with Tata Consultancy Services to run its IT service desk.

This closely follows on from the Indian provider conducting an internal investigation over being the origin of a cyber attack that hit the UK retailer’s systems at a cost of hundreds of millions of pounds.

“TCS provides a number of technology and IT services for M&S and we value our partnership with the TCS team,” M&S said in a statement. 

“Regarding the IT service desk contract specifically, as is usual process, we went to market to test for the most suitable product available, ran a thorough process and instructed a new provider this summer.”

“This process started in January and this change has no bearing on our wider TCS relationship,” it added. 

TCS claimed that the termination and the cyber attack were “clearly unrelated”. M&S had followed a regular competitive procurement process initiated in January, and chose another service provider “much prior to the cyber incident in April”, it said in a statement.

3. Online fashion retailer Goddiva gets personal as it takes wraps off AI powered shopping assistant

Goddiva, a UK-based fashion e-commerce brand, has launched a shopping assistant called Goddiva Al.

Powered by OpenAl GPT-5 and LangChain technology, the aim is to enable customers to interact with the brand naturally, from "Show me a pink maxi under £100 for a wedding guest" to "Track my order."

The assistant understands intent, context, and tone to deliver instant results across product discovery, order support, and returns.

“We believe outfit discovery should feel personal, intuitive, and fun," says Mina Melikova, Chief Executive Officer at Goddiva. "Goddiva Al blends the empathy of a stylist with the intelligence of technology, guiding customers effortlessly from inspiration to checkout."

This is now fully integrated with the retailer’s website and order systems, offering the likes of real-time order tracking with courier updates and individualised discount prompts triggered by referral or browsing source.

“Our goal was to build intelligent empathy,” says Yathu Kanagaratnam, Head of Technology and AI Strategy at Goddiva. “Goddiva AI doesn’t just respond, it remembers, learns, and evolves with every interaction.”

4. Whatnot bags Series F funding co-led by DST Global and CapitalG as its valuation hits $11.5 billion

Whatnot, a live shopping platform in the US, UK, and Europe, has secured $225 million in Series F funding, co-led by DST Global and CapitalG. New investors Sequoia Capital and Alkeon Capital joined the round, alongside returning backers Greycroft, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), avra, and BOND. 

The company has raised approximately $968 million since its founding in 2019.

The new financing values it at $11.5 billion, more than double its valuation at the start of 2025.

“The conversation around live shopping has changed. We’re no longer asking if it will catch on. Whatnot is proving that live shopping is retail’s new normal,” says Grant LaFontaine, Co-founder and CEO at Whatnot.

“This funding represents both investor conviction and consumer confidence in our vision for the future of live commerce. With this capital, we will create more opportunities to help sellers build profitable businesses from their passions to delight buyers around the globe.”

5. Payments big hitter Ingenico names Floris de Kort as CEO as Laurent Blanchard steps down

Ingenico, a specialist in payments acceptance solutions, has announced the appointment of Floris de Kort as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1st November. Laurent Blanchard will step down as CEO and as a member of the supervisory board to pursue other opportunities. 

Catherine Guillouard, the company’s Chairwoman, says: “We sincerely thank Laurent for his significant contributions since joining Ingenico in 2023. He has been a visionary leader, guiding the company through a challenging market environment while maintaining focus on ambitious business targets, innovation, customer needs, and culture.”

“Under his leadership, Ingenico advanced its strategy to become the leading software and services provider in the payments ecosystem. After successfully redefining Ingenico’s mission, Laurent leaves behind a strong foundation and a team ready to drive the company’s next stage of success.”

She adds: “As Ingenico embarks on its next chapter, the board is delighted to welcome Floris de Kort as Chief Executive Officer, based at Ingenico’s global headquarters in Paris. Floris brings deep and proven expertise in the payments sector, combined with extensive operational and commercial leadership experience. We are excited for him to lead Ingenico through its next stage of growth, accelerating execution efforts and commercial momentum.”

6. Amazon veteran Ian Rasmussen joins robotic, AI powered smart stores firm VenHub Global

VenHub Global, a specialist in robotic retail, providing fully automated, employee free stores that operate 24/7, has appointed Ian Rasmussen as Executive Vice President, National Expansion and Partnerships.

Rasmussen spent almost a decade at Amazon Web Services (AWS).

In a LinkedIn post, he said: "During my time at Amazon, I had the opportunity to lead the expansion of several great Amazon and AWS technologies, including Just Walk Out and Amazon’s checkout innovations, across the energy, convenience, and quick serve retail sectors. I was fortunate to work with talented teams and global brands that embraced new solutions in computer vision, IoT, and self-checkout to transform how customers shop.”

He added: “At VenHub, I’m joining a team that’s quickly taking autonomous retail from concept to scale. Our smart stores operate 24/7 without on-site staff, offering retailers a practical, proven way to extend service hours and improve operational efficiency.”

“What’s most impressive is how VenHub has already overcome many of the challenges that typically slow early stage companies… the technology is live, operational, and driving results today. If you’re interested in how autonomous retail is evolving or want to learn more about what we’re building, I’d welcome the chance to connect.”

7. Transformation expert and influencer Oliver Banks added to RTIH AI in Retail Awards judging panel

We're hugely pleased to announce the addition of Oliver Banks to the judging panel for the RTIH AI in Retail Awards, sponsored by 3D Cloud and EdTech Innovation Hub.

Oliver is a recognised expert and consultant in retail transformation, guiding senior leaders to rethink strategies and operating models for the future of retail.

A LinkedIn Top Voice and as one of RTIH’s Top 100 Retail Technology Influencers, he hosts The Retail Transformation Show podcast and is widely recognised as one of retail’s most influential thinkers. His book, Driving Retail Transformation, provides a practical roadmap to deliver change with clarity, confidence, and conviction.

Don't delay, enter today!

The RTIH AI in Retail Awards is now open for entries. Deadline for submissions is Friday, 5th December. It’s free to enter and you can do so across multiple categories.

Check out categories and entry forms here.

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.

With 2025 set to be the year when AI and especially gen AI shake off the ‘heavily hyped’ tag and become embedded in retail business processes, 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, 29th January. 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.

8. Circus announces launch of its autonomous AI robotics system CA-1 in REWE Group supermarkets

Circus SE reports the launch of Fresh & Smart, a new REWE Region West segment, powered by Circus’ autonomous AI robotics system CA-1.

REWE Region West, the part of the REWE Group responsible for Western Germany, is among the global launch partners of the CA-1 Series 4.

The first Fresh & Smart location opens this week in Düsseldorf Heerdt, with the pair laying claim to the world’s first integration of AI powered autonomous cooking robotics inside a supermarket. Additional locations are in the works and under construction.

Customers are promised restaurant quality meals prepared live and on-demand by Circus’ CA-1 Series 4, the company’s first serially produced autonomous cooking robot. Main dishes are available from €6 and accessible to all customers in-store.

9. Ana Pinto departs autonomous retail tech startup Reckon.ai, seeks new challenge

Ana Pinto has ended her time at Portugal-based unattended retail startup, Reckon.ai, where she served as CEO and Co-founder.

In a LinkedIn post, she said: “Wrapping up as CEO of Reckon.ai, it has been both the end of an incredible chapter and the start of new one. Over the past eight years, I've had the privilege of meeting and working with amazing people - great customers and partners who shared a vision, took risks together, and helped us turn ideas into something real.”

She added: “Since announcing my transition, seeing so many reach out with curiosity about what's next has been deeply humbling. For me, that curiosity is more than interest - it's a reflection of the trust, respect and genuine relationships built along the way that are beyond projects or contracts.”

“To me, that's the real measure of success: when people don't just care about what you did, but are excited to see and to be part of whatever I'll do next! For now, I am just taking time to reflect on ideas with a full heart and grateful.”

Pinto told RTIH that she will have no further involvement with Reckon.ai and will now be seeking new challenges.

10. Kiwibot turns into Robot.com as Sodexo, Amazon Web Services and SKIP deploy its technology

Robot.com officially launched this week, following a rebrand from Kiwibot.

Having completed more than 1.7 million tasks, the company now powers delivery, logistics, and advertising robots for Fortune 500 customers across the United States, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

Robot.com’s technology is currently deployed in production environments with Sodexo, including those on college campuses, as well as Canada-based SKIP for food delivery services; and Amazon Web Services to support a global advertising campaign.

The venture is funded by investors including Headline, UC Berkeley SkyDeck Fund, Sodexo VC, New Future Capital, Innosphere Ventures Fund and Tylt Ventures and others.

“For years, robotics has been about what might be possible,” says Felipe Chavez, CEO and Founder at Robot.com. “We’re focused on what’s already working. Every task completed proves that this isn’t a future promise, but infrastructure that works today to save time, cuts costs, and scales responsibly.”