Including Walmart, Ikea, and Tesco: 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 Wiliot, The Body Shop, RELEX Solutions, Asda, VusionGroup, Asos, Kingfisher Group, Loblaw Advance, and STRATACACHE.
1. Wiliot partners with Walmart in bid to enhance retail supply chain with ambient IoT and AI technology
Wiliot reports a collaboration with Walmart involving the US retail giant’s supply chain operations.
The pair are laying claim to the first large scale deployment of ambient IoT technology in the retail sector, with millions of Wiliot IoT Pixels being integrated throughout Walmart’s supply chain.
The aim is to dramatically enhance supply chain efficiency, inventory accuracy, and cold chain compliance.
“With Walmart, we are advancing supply chain performance at an unprecedented scale,” says Tal Tamir, CEO at Wiliot. “This nationwide deployment adds a new layer of digitisation to Walmart’s supply chain, empowering associates with real-time insights and automation that drive greater efficiency, accuracy, and responsiveness.”
“It’s a testament to the power of ambient IoT and artificial intelligence to help retailers operate smarter, move faster, and deliver stronger outcomes for their business, their associates, and their customers.”
2. Asda works with VusionGroup on roll-out of ESLs at over 250 Express convenience stores
Asda is rolling out electronic shelf edge labels (ESLs) across its Express convenience stores. This will see 250 locations tapping the technology.
Working with VusionGroup and its partners, Renovotec and HL Display, the deployment follows a three-month trial at Asda’s Oxford Road Store in Manchester. This saw colleagues freed up to spend more of their time helping customers, managing deliveries and replenishing shelves.
Approximately 2,800 separate electronic shelf edge labels (over 700,000 across the entire roll-out) will be added to stores, meaning colleagues will no longer need to manually replace pricing in-store.
The technology also helps to display allergen information at shelf edge through QR codes, in addition to displaying the cost, weight and unit price of products.
3. Tesco Marketplace bins Marketplacer technology and makes move to rival platform Mirakl
Peter Filcek, Marketplace Director at Tesco, said at the time: “We knew that we wanted to open up access to a wider range of products for Tesco customers; we could see customers were searching for products that we didn't sell, and that we could be front of mind for.”
“It became clear that exploring this advanced technology for industry partnerships would be advantageous for the customer experience and ensure a seamless integration experience for our seller partners.”
“In a dynamic shift change, this marketplace model allows us to take a more holistic approach to customers’ household needs and give us a competitive edge.”
“We’ve benefitted from the Marketplacer team’s deep e-commerce expertise and understanding of our business in navigating some common scaling challenges to stay on the right track”
“Our secure and scalable marketplace proposition now looks set to attract additional sellers, therefore streamlining that onboarding process is critical for us to grow and scale.”
Just 15 months later, however, Tesco is ditching Marketplacer and switching to Mirakl (which works with the likes of B&Q and Superdrug).
The new partnership is set to launch in the next few weeks.
A Tesco spokesperson said: "To support our long-term growth plans for Marketplace, we're migrating to a new platform that will enhance the seller experience and provide an event better experience for our customers."
4. Grocery retailer Asda hits Project Future milestone as final piece of the post-Walmart puzzle falls into place
This has involved the separation of more than 2,500 systems from former owner Walmart, with the aim of laying the technological foundations for the UK grocery giant’s future growth.
In a LinkedIn post, Mike Gledhill, Head of Delivery - Commercial, Supply & George Clothing, said: "Last week we hit a huge milestone on our Future Programme. We converted our third and final George Depot, which just so happened to be the final conversion of the entire programme. Not only that, but we did it in style…"
Asda converted all three depots in five weeks, with only three weeks to learn from the first before converting the second.
"I couldn’t be prouder of how quickly all teams involved were able to react, learn and fix for the second and third depots. The effort given by everyone has been second to none, and it’s been amazing to see everyone’s commitment to getting us over the line," said Gledhill.
"To reach completion has taken a mega effort from everyone involved and now our focus turns to making sure all three remain stable and are prepped for peak in Q4."
"On a more personal note, the Future Programme has been one hell of a ride. I was lucky enough to start the journey in retail, moving into George clothing and more latterly global sourcing, supply and logistics."
He concluded: "It’s safe to say I’ve learnt more about Asda (and myself) in the last two years than I did over the previous 16. What’s next? We’ve got a few loose ends to tie up before we fully close the programme and a big Q4 ahead… and then it’s all systems go into 2026."
5. UK-based retail technology and dropshipping specialist Virtualstock bought by US firm Logicbroker
US company Logicbroker has announced the acquisition of UK-based online retail technology firm Virtualstock.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Virtualstock was established in 2004. Its dropship and curated marketplace platform powers online commerce for the likes of Aldi, Argos, B&Q, Currys, and John Lewis. It provides retailers with supplier onboarding and product induction. In addition, its Supplier Hub connects suppliers directly with buyers at major retailers.
6. Ingka Group buys AI powered logistics software firm Locus to boost Ikea home delivery experience
Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group, the largest Ikea retailer, has announced the acquisition of Locus, a logistics technology company based in the USA. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Locus offers an AI powered logistics management platform, featuring route optimisation, real-time tracking, as well as the smart use of vehicles and resources. According to both parties, by integrating these capabilities, Locus will better enable Ingka Group to enhance efficiency across the supply chain - from capacity management and optimisation to last mile execution.
“This acquisition aligns perfectly with our commitment to improving the customer journey at every touchpoint. By bringing Locus’s technology in-house, we’re taking control of a crucial element in our fulfilment chain, allowing us to deliver with greater speed and flexibility to the many,” says Tolga Öncü, Head of Ikea Retail (Ingka Group).
7. FT Live Future of Retail 2025: Kingfisher CEO discusses store and online operations merging
“We started our e-commerce at scale journey during the Covid pandemic when there was a huge boom during 2021,” said Kingfisher CEO, Thierry Garnier, speaking at the FT Live Future of Retail event in London on Tuesday, while adding it hasn’t gone away, even though the boom has slowed. He also called for fairer UK business rates for physical stores.
“E-commerce at B&Q now constitutes 20% of our business,” said Garnier, as he explained how the pivot towards e-commerce has meant Kingfisher, which owns such retailers as B&Q and Screwfix, has had to work harder on its data. “We’ve got a data lake now for instance.”
Combining the company’s huge store estate with its digital offering – and their respective data – is a challenge, but one they have risen to.
“Click and Collect is huge for us, representing 88% of all our e-commerce,” said Garnier, as he outlined how the two can coexist in retail operations.
“Additionally, Screwfix can deliver in 20 minutes to 60% of UK postcodes [because of our store footprint],” he added, while explaining Kingfisher’s strategy of focusing on: Customer experience; Unifying online and in-store data and operations.
8. The Body Shop looks to boost supply chain operations with RELEX Solutions technology roll-out
The Body Shop is working with RELEX Solutions as it looks to transition from manual and labour intensive supply chain processes to a unified, AI driven platform.
The retailer says it will implement forecasting and replenishment to optimise inventory management and improve operational efficiency across its global stores, franchises, and distribution centres.
Previously, The Body Shop was unable to continuously deliver outputs at the required pace, using legacy ERP systems and manual processes. As part of its renewal strategy, it is focused on building a leaner, more resilient supply chain to support strategic growth, particularly through its expanding franchise network.
9. Loblaw Advance ramps up partnership with STRATACACHE to boost its in-store digital screen network
Loblaw Advance is strengthening its partnership with STRATACACHE, expanding its in-store digital screen network across Loblaw Companies stores. Announced during Advertising Week in New York, STRATACACHE will invest in building and connecting digital screens to operate within the Loblaw Advance retail media network.
Loblaw's retail environment currently includes nearly 2,000 screens at more than 700 locations. Screens will continue to be introduced to hundreds of new stores this autumn, with the network expanding further throughout the next year.
"With STRATACACHE's reputation for industry leading technology and reliability, this investment will add significant scale to our in-store media offering," says Lauren Steinberg, EVP & Chief Digital Officer at Loblaw.
"In-store advertising is a vital part of a comprehensive marketing strategy. By engaging consumers at the point of purchase, these newly placed screens will enhance the shopping experience and complement our existing in-store audio and promotional display offerings."
10. Asos Live creator led immersive video shopping fashion experience goes live following trial
Asos has introduced Asos Live, an immersive video shopping experience, following a trial.
This blends creator led content with real-time shopping, allowing customers to watch live or on demand, shop instantly and engage with content, within the retailer’s app.
Whether tuning in live or catching up later, customers can explore styling tips, beauty tutorials, and trend led edits from creators.
“Today’s fashion lovers are discovering style through video and creator-led content,” says Anthony Ben Sadoun, EVP of Digital Product at Asos. “Asos Live brings that inspiration directly into the shopping journey, helping customers feel confident, inspired, and less overwhelmed by choice.”
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