Sensei gets healthy in Portugal: our biggest retail tech articles on LinkedIn

We’re big fans of LinkedIn and are busy building an amazing community of retail tech enthusiasts on the social media platform. As we power towards the 30,000 followers mark, these are the articles that are currently on their radars, including Revionics, Coborn's, Just Eat Takeaway.com, Currys, Jellyfish, Waitrose, Glory, Sitoo, and the RTIH AI in Retail Awards.

Sensei notches up a retail first as autonomous Pharma&Go healthcare store goes live in Lisbon, Portugal

Sensei reports that it is equipping what is pitched as the first 100% autonomous healthcare store in Europe.

Located in Parque das Nações, in Lisbon, the new Pharma&Go store is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

With 90m² and a grab and go model, shoppers can check in with a bank card at the entrance and move freely around the space, which is organised like a conventional store.

The technology implemented, based on artificial intelligence and computer vision, operates without personal cameras, biometric identification or the collection of data that could compromise privacy. Products taken from the shelves are identified in real-time, as is the automatic updating of each customer’s digital basket. Upon exit, the amount is charged to the card, with no need to use a checkout.

“The opening of the first 100% autonomous healthcare store in Europe shows how artificial intelligence and computer vision can transform entire sectors, creating faster, more convenient and safer ways to shop. For Sensei, it is an important milestone to apply this technology to a segment as sensitive as health and well-being, reinforcing our mission to make retail smarter and more human centric,” says Vasco Portugal, CEO and Co-founder at Sensei.

RTIH AI in Retail Awards finalists announced, including Ikea, Instacart, IBM, AWS, and AutoStore

We're pleased to present the finalists and shortlists for the inaugural RTIH AI in Retail Awards, sponsored by VenHub Global, 3D Cloud, EdTech Innovation Hub, and Retail Technology Show.

Congratulations to all those who made it through the initial submission process. We received a huge number of impressive entries highlighting companies across the retail landscape who are not only recognising the potential of AI, but also making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and innovation in all areas.

It’s now over to our judging panel who will decide the winners to be announced at the RTIH AI in Retail Awards Ceremony, taking place  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, presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Lucy Porter.

To book your place at the RTIH AI in Retail Awards Ceremony, click here.

Coborn's taps Revionics AI solutions for price and promotions optimisation across stores

Coborn’s is deploying Revionics' AI Pricing Platform across its supermarket brands.

“Delivering freshness and value to our communities has been our mission since 1921,” says Scott Winburn, Senior Director of Pricing Strategy at Coborn’s. “As we accelerate our growth journey - which includes operating more banners in expanded markets - our pricing strategy must be agile, localised and customer centric.”

He adds: “In this fast paced retail environment, you’re either innovating or you’re getting passed by those that are. For Coborn’s to be successful for another 100 years, we recognise that advanced technologies - including AI for pricing and promotion - are essential for delivering the best possible experience to our guests."

“With Revionics’ AI Pricing Platform, we can tailor our pricing strategies to reflect guests’ unique preferences and buying patterns across all our banners and communities. By bringing more science, scale and precision into our processes, Coborn’s will become even more effective at ensuring we’re priced right on the items our guests care about most.”

Currys enlists Jellyfish to upgrade website search visibility across traditional and AI platforms

Currys is partnering with digital marketing specialist, Jellyfish, as the electrical and technology retailer looks to make finding the right tech online easier for its customers.

The tie up will focus on upgrading Currys’ website search visibility across traditional and emerging AI powered platforms. Jellyfish will start by reviewing its current search performance, using its Share of Model tool, which looks at how visible ‘Currys’ is across search engines and emerging AI platforms.

It will then will launch a generative engine optimisation (GEO) programme. Jellyfish will also roll out its ‘One Search’ approach, which combines paid ads and organic listings. This will be supported by digital PR to further boost visibility.

“We know that customers are searching in more ways than ever before. We want to be there, showing up and being visible across all search platforms, whether that be the large language models like ChatGPT, Claude and Perplexity, or the well established search engines like Google and Bing. Making it super easy to find the right tech for customers is our key focus at Currys,” says Chris Holyland, Digital Director at Currys.

“That’s why we’re partnering with Jellyfish, to deliver stronger visibility wherever our customers choose to search and shop. It’s all part of our bid to embrace the changing landscape of generative engine optimisation and agentic commerce, and ultimately help everyone enjoy amazing technology. I’m excited to see the benefits our partnership will bring to our customers and Currys.”

Waitrose inks Glory deal with focus on retailer's back office cash management processes

Glory reports that Waitrose has selected the company’s CI-100X solution to streamline and improve its back office cash management process in its stores across the UK.

Glory is installing 285 CI-100X back office cash recycling devices in the UK grocery retailer’s stores with the roll-out now underway. 

Mark McCallum, Senior Vice President EMEA, Managing Director UK & Ireland at Glory, says:  “We are very much looking forward to working closely with Waitrose as we install our CI-100X devices across their back office UK store network. The CI-100X will also be fully integrated with our Flooid1 cash office software solution.” 

“Waitrose is one of the most well known and loved retailers in the UK and we are hugely excited to play a part in helping to support their continued success.”  

On demand delivery interview: Pete Chong, Global Head of Retail at Just Eat Takeaway.com

RTIH sits down with Pete Chong, Global Head of Retail at Just Eat Takeaway.com, to discuss the booming rapid delivery space in 2025 and beyond.

Sitoo reports inclusion within Gartner's 2025 Market Guide for Unified Commerce Platforms

Sitoo, a unified commerce platform powering PoS for fashion and lifestyle retailers, has once again been recognised by Gartner in the 2025 Market Guide for Unified Commerce Platforms Anchored by AI Enabled PoS for Tier 2 Retailers.

It has been named as a Representative Vendor.

The 2025 Market Guide explores how the unified commerce landscape is undergoing rapid transformation and AI is becoming the cornerstone of next-generation PoS systems; driving associate enablement, personalised customer interactions, and operational excellence through predictive capabilities and more.

The 2025 Market Guide states: “The platforms facilitate seamless, personalised, and touchless shopping journeys, which are crucial for meeting evolving customer expectations and differentiating brands in competitive landscapes.”

“They empower store associates with mobile centric tools and consolidated user interfaces, sometimes referred to as “superapps,” that streamline tasks and provide a “single pane of glass” for real-time data and insights across channels, thereby enhancing productivity and the customer experience.”

“Key outcomes include increased sales growth through unified data models, accelerated PoS implementation, and improved data quality by maintaining a single source of truth for sales, product, and customer information.”

QSR startup Tahina preps £2 million funding round for flagship London autonomous store

Tahina, a London-based FoodTech startup which combines autonomous retail with fresh, healthy meals, reports that it is working towards a £1.5 million to £2 million investment round (SEIS/EIS approved) to open its flagship London store and scale its cashierless technology.

Co-Founder Javier Troitino-Ramos says, “The traditional fast food model is under pressure. Costs are rising, and customers expect much more. Tahina is providing a clear way forward with our technology driven approach.”

Co-Founder Emilio Malik adds: “With our tech and production model, we’re confident in our ability to grow into a £100 million+ brand over the next decade. People want fresh, sustainable meals without the premium price tag or long wait times - that’s exactly where we thrive.”

Tahina plans to open 10+ locations over the next three years and expand its presence through Tahina Capsules - modular, autonomous food units for offices, universities, hospitals, and event venues. The company says that its aim is to hit £10 million in revenue and disrupt the £980 billion global fast food market.