RFID breakthroughs and automation milestones: October's biggest retail technology stories

October is done and dusted, November is up and running, so let’s kick back and reflect on another eventful month for the retail technology space. Here's your briefing on the most important stories from October, including VenHub Global, Whatnot, Veloq, AutoStore, Walmart, Avery Dennison, VusionGroup, Morrisons, The Very Group, and Dexory.

1. 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.”

2. 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards winners announced, including Tesco, White Stuff, and EE

VoCoVo, Everseen, Sensei, Gander, Iceland, Olio, Trust Retail, East of England Co-op, Lekkerland SE, Poq, Mamas & Papas, Varner, Sitoo, and Zebra Technologies were among the winners last month at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, sponsored by Vista Technology Support, STRATACACHE, VenHub, 3D Cloud, EdTech Innovation Hub, and Retail Technology Show.

We received a record number of entries this year and many fantastic examples of the continued resilience and dynamism of the retail space during hugely challenging times.

Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC in Central London and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”

“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”

He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”

Congratulations to our 2025 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended last night’s gathering.

2025 RTIH Innovation Awards winners announced. Congrats to our winners including @poqcommerce @LiveRamp @Nextail_co @currys @hanshowofficial and thanks to our sponsors, judges, event attendees and the legend that is @tiffstevenson for hosting #RTIHAwards25 https://t.co/YtWksWh6NE

— Retail Technology Innovation Hub (@RTIH_RetailTech) October 17, 2025

3. Rohlik Group spin-out Veloq takes wraps off new grocery fulfilment centre and connects with AutoStore

Veloq, an automation company within Czech online grocer, Rohlik Group, has unveiled a new AI driven grocery fulfilment centre in Vienna.

The launch also marks the announcement of a global partnership with AutoStore.

The facility is pitched as the first AutoStore grid worldwide to integrate real-time expedition, automatically sorting picked orders by delivery route. According to those involved, this eliminates manual sorting and increases throughput while reducing time, labour and cost. It can also be adapted to different fulfillment formats, from large central hubs to smaller purpose built sites, lowering the threshold for retailers to adopt automation.

Orders from a range of up to 20,000 SKUs, can now be routed for delivery in under 30 minutes. These SKUs represent individual products  including fresh produce, bakery and pharmacy.

Under the agreement, Veloq will deploy AutoStore technology with its proprietary software to help grocers tap the same automation that has powered Rohlik’s growth over the past decade. 

4. VusionGroup inks deal to equip Morrisons stores with over 10.8 million electronic shelf labels

Morrisons is partnering with VusionGroup to roll-out electronic shelf labels across all of its 497 stores, becoming the first large UK supermarket group to adopt the technology across its entire estate.

VusionGroup will install 10.8 million smart electronic shelf labels in total.

These will eliminate traditional paper labels throughout the store, providfing price and product information. ESLs will also ensure Morrisons More Card savings and offers are instantly communicated to customers at the shelf edge.

The technology will integrate with Morrisons digital shelf-edge cameras, to guide colleagues to product gaps, speeding up shelf replenishment and integrating with e-commerce applications to make online picking easier and more accurate.

Morrisons will also work with VusionGroup to explore how to leverage the data generated across various initiatives, with the aim of identifying new opportunities to enhance store operations and customer experience.

5. Walmart Avery Dennison claim breakthrough innovation for RFID technology in fresh categories

Walmart and Avery Dennison have announced a new tie up to advance the use of radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology in fresh categories.

Looking to help develop a solution to a longstanding industry challenge of using RFID technology in high moisture, cold environments, like meat cases, Walmart teamed with Avery Dennison to create and test what is pitched as a first of its kind sensor technology that brings RFID enabled labels to the meat department.

By using Avery Dennison’s RFID solutions in meat, along with bakery and the deli department, Walmart associates can track inventory faster and more accurately, making sure products stay stocked and ready when customers want them.

With digital use by dates right at their fingertips, associates can also rotate products more efficiently and make smarter markdown decisions, helping cut down on unsold food.

6. The Very Group raids Superdrug to bring in industry veteran Paul Stafford as retail media proposition head

Very Media Group, which is operated by digital retailer The Very Group, reports that Paul Stafford, who played an integral role in launching Superdrug’s retail media network Optimo, is joining to lead its retail media proposition.

Bringing with him over 18 years of experience across both brand and digital marketing and retail media, he will be responsible for shaping long-term strategy, while enhancing pre-existing relationships with brands and establishing new strategic partnerships which align with Very Media Group’s ambition of being the multi-category retail media network of choice for brands.

Very Media Group, which launched in partnership with SMG in 2024, is a reimagining of The Very Group’s pre-existing retail media proposition.

It brings together the online retailer’s in-house creative capabilities and combination of personal, shopping and financial data to create campaigns for some of the biggest household brands.

7. Walmart connects with OpenAI as it looks to create AI powered online shopping experiences

Walmart has announced a new partnership with OpenAI that will start with allowing customers and members to soon shop with the US retail giant through ChatGPT using Instant Checkout.

“For many years now, e-commerce shopping experiences have consisted of a search bar and a long list of item responses. That is about to change. There is a native AI experience coming that is multi-media, personalised and contextual. We are running towards that more enjoyable and convenient future with Sparky and through partnerships including this important step with OpenAI,” says Doug McMillon, President and CEO at Walmart.

“We’re excited to partner with Walmart to make everyday purchases a little simpler. It’s just one way AI will help people every day under our work together,” says Sam Altman, Co-founder and CEO at OpenAI.

8. Eurazeo heads up $100 million Series C funding round for autonomous warehouses firm Dexory

Dexory, a provider of real-time warehouse intelligence, visibility and autonomous solutions, has raised $165 million, building on the company’s Series B in 2024.

Eurazeo, through its Growth team, led the $100 million Series C round, with participation from LTS Growth and Endeavor Catalyst, alongside existing backers DTCP, Atomico, Lakestar, Elaia, Latitude Ventures, Wave-X and others. In addition, Bootstrap Europe expanded the existing growth debt facility. 

Since its Series B, Dexory has expanded the reach of its AI enabled data intelligence platform, DexoryView, across Europe, North America, and APAC, and established its North American headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee. Today, the platform is used by logistics specialists such as GXO, Maersk and DHL; manufacturers including Stellantis and GE Appliances; and by customers across pharmaceuticals, retail and e-commerce. 

The new funding will accelerate Dexory’s product roadmap and expand access to its technology, with the aim of removing key bottlenecks in warehouse transformation.

“This new round allows us to bring forward transformational capabilities that our customers are asking for,” says Andrei Danescu, CEO and Co-Founder at Dexory. “By combining full stack engineering with zero customer complexity, we are building advanced agentic systems powered by the industry’s richest set of real-world logistics data. This will help warehouses and supply chains shift from systems of record to true systems of action.”

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. 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.”