Social media success stories: check out this week's coolest retail technology plays

RTIH Editor, Scott Thompson, brings you his top ‘future of retail’ systems launches and deployments from the past week, including Currys, TikTok, B&Q, Deliveroo, Tubi, Sodexo, AiFi, Costco Wholesale Australia, DoorDash, Lidl, Exotec, and Pennies.

Currys

Currys and Microsoft report that, from today in the UK and Ireland, players can have their Xbox consoles repaired at Currys, including all Xbox Series X|S console options.

The retailer lays claim to being the first ever Xbox Authorised Service Provider (ASP) in the UK and Ireland. This follows on from a Surface partnership which allows customers to get their laptops repaired at Currys. 

It doesn’t matter where the Xbox was purchased and the offer includes consoles both in warranty and out of warranty (the latter excludes ROI)..

"We are so proud to see our repair partnership with Microsoft flourish. It's collaborations like this that help us to help more customers enjoy their tech for longer,” says Lindsay Haselhurst, Currys Chief Operating Officer.

“This is good news for players, opening up a huge network to get their tech fixed; it’s good news for us, helping to change the consumer relationship with tech for the better; and it’s good news for the planet, and the battle to combat the UK’s e-waste crisis.”

RenewMD Wellness

RenewMD Wellness, a medical spa and wellness centre, is integrating Perfect Corp.’s Skincare Pro Software as a Service at three of its California locations.

This leverages AI skin scanner technology to identify up to 14 skin concerns in just seven seconds. It equips RenewMD Wellness staff with skincare analysis, visualisations of skin conditions, and tailored recommendations.

“Our missio is to combine state-of-the-art technology with expert care to deliver exceptional wellness and aesthetic services,” says Dr. Simran Sethi, Founder and Medical Director at RenewMD Wellness. “The integration of Skincare Pro technology enhances our ability to cater to each client’s unique skin needs, delivering both preventative care and long lasting results.”

Verity, On, and Maersk

Verity has collaborated with On and Maersk on a pilot project that aims to bridge the gap between the physical and digital supply chain environments by augmenting Verity’s autonomous inventory tracking system with radio frequency identification (RFID) capabilities.

The pilot explores the potential of RFID technology and drones to enhance inventory visibility in one of On’s warehouses.

Verity’s AI driven, vision-based system delivers inventory insights in more than 100 warehouses globally, in collaboration with various warehousing operators. One limitation, however, has been tracking inventory beyond line of sight. By integrating RFID, Verity says it is able to extend its vision inside and beyond boxes, enabling precise tracking and identification of individual items, such as products and packages, at every stage of the warehouse lifecycle.

Its drones autonomously navigate warehouse aisles, scanning RFID tags with over 99.9% accuracy at rates of up to 1,000 tags/items per second, it is claimed.

TrusTrace

TrusTrace, a platform for supply chain traceability and compliance in the fashion and textile industry, has announced its participation in Textile Exchange’s multiparty Trackit system pilot.

The project, running throughout 2025, brings together traceability solution providers including Peterson Technologies, Retraced, and TextileGenesis to test an interoperable traceability framework that functions seamlessly across diverse technology platforms.

It is designed to minimise the burden on supply chain operators while maintaining a strong and credible standards system to adapt to the evolving demands of sustainability standards and legislation.

“Interoperability is the key to the future where supply chains are traceable, circular and fair. The Trackit pilot brings the industry closer to a shared ecosystem where technology providers complement rather than compete, ensuring better outcomes for brands, suppliers, and the planet. We are honoured to contribute to this exciting project, and contribute with our vast experience in interoperability at scale,” says Shameek Ghosh, CEO and Co-founder at TrusTrace.

Currys (again)

Currys recently hit 200,000 followers on TikTok, leading Niall McGarry, Founder at Fabric Social, to flag up "the work between our two teams that has been widely regarded as the biggest social media success story of recent times".

In a LinkedIn post, he said: "This is a true best in class example of a heritage business embracing the opportunity that consistently presents itself in the chaoticly disruptive era we now live through.  A platform specific approach, adopting trends in their infancy, an inate understanding of the venacular of now, and nourishing not managing when it comes to community, have all been instrumental."

McGarry praised an initiative that has resulted in 100 million + organic views, millions of likes, comments and shares, and countless endorsement opinion pieces on LinkedIn, international TV and radio coverage, which have all, in part, contributed to the overall health of the Currys business.

Tubi

Tubi, Fox Corporation’s ad supported streaming service, has announced a new shoppable experience - The Tubi Red Carpet Shop - in partnership with Shopsense AI.

Tubi lays claim to the world’s largest collection of movies and TV episodes, including over 300 exclusive originals. And now viewers are able to purchase items within curated digital stores by visiting shop.tubi.tv on their smartphones.

The storefronts are inspired by the upcoming Tubi Red Carpet at Super Bowl LIX. Hosted by Olivia Culpo, this covers the celebrity, fashion and culture behind America’s biggest sports event live from Caesars Superdome on 9th February starting at 3:30 PM ET on Tubi. They will include essentials for game day parties, trends inspired by WAGs, audio products inspired by music from the big game and team apparel and fan gear.  

“Our collaboration with Shopsense AI is an important step forward in blending entertainment and commerce for brands and consumers through retail media CTV partnerships,” says Jeff Lucas, Chief Revenue Officer, Tubi.

“Our commitment to delivering premium entertainment that is free and accessible, combined with an incremental audience that is incredibly passionate about our content, allows us to experiment in ways that are tangible and truly interactive. Shoppable integrations are the next frontier for ad supported streaming services, and we look forward to continuing to explore what’s possible with Shopsense AI.” 

B&Q

B&Q has announced the expansion of its on-demand delivery trial with Deliveroo, following a launch from its smaller high street stores in London last August.

In a LinkedIn post, Amélie Gallichan-Todd, Supply and Logistics Director at B&Q, said: “We are always seeking ways to enhance speed and convenience for our customers. This expansion allows our London customers to choose from over 9,500 B&Q products for on-demand delivery.”

Starting this week, home improvers in Beckton, Sidcup, Watford, Acton, and Romford can order a wider selection of paint brands, gardening supplies, storage solutions, and home furnishings, with delivery to their doorstep in as little as 25 minutes via Deliveroo.

Gallichan-Todd added: “I am excited to see how our London customers will embrace the increased choice and convenience this service brings.”

Costco Wholesale Australia and DoorDash

DoorDash is tapping into the world of bulk shopping Down Under with on-demand, same-day and future scheduled delivery to customers through a partnership with Costco Wholesale Australia.

Available in major metropolitan areas across Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane, DoorDash customers can now access Costco’s selection of groceries and essentials.

To mark the launch, they will receive $20 off their first Costco order when they spend $150 or more.

DoorDash Vice President APAC, Simon Rossi, says: “We are thrilled to partner with Costco to expand our affordable options for Australian families. Through this partnership, we’re making it easier for families and small businesses to get what they need at Costco’s low prices, delivered directly to their doorstep.”

HMN

Hologram Media Network (HMN) has launched what is pitched as the world’s first always on holographic advertising network, built in collaboration with Proto Hologram.

Featuring Proto Luma devices, this spans Simon malls across the US.

The network – which has thus far deployed across 30 Simon locations – including Los Angeles’ Del Amo Mall, New York’s Roosevelt Field Mall, Atlanta’s Lenox Square Mall, Nashville’s Opry Mills, and Chicago’s Woodfield Mall – offers limited advertising inventory, featuring 3D creative advertising programmed alongside exclusive IP content collaborations.

Each month's holographic show is curated with storytelling from major studios, creators, artists, and influencers, as well as live interactive hologram events with celebrities. The charter content showcase featured an exclusive experience for Paramount Pictures' Sonic the Hedgehog 3, immersing customers in a lifelike 3D encounter with the character and his team.

Sodexo

AiFi reports deployment of its spatial intelligence platform with Sodexo for an autonomous store at a Rio Tinto mining village in Western Australia.

In a LinkedIn post, Sodexo said: "We officially launched Australia's first remote autonomous store, and it was smiles all around. From chatting with residents about the cutting-edge technology behind the store to soaking in the great vibes brought by the Red Bull DJ spinning some awesome tunes, it was a grand opening to remember."

It added: "To make the day even sweeter, we ran a draw where five lucky residents scored gift cards to enjoy shopping at the store - congrats to the winners! Plus, the freebies (thanks to Red Bull and Coca-Cola) and delicious snacks made sure no one left empty handed. We're excited to bring more choices, more convenience, and happier residents."

Lidl

Lidl UK is set to become the first national supermarket to introduce micro-donations solution Pennies across its stores.

In a LinkedIn post, it said: "Keep your eyes peeled…from the end of January, you'll see new donation points at self-checkouts and tills, alongside our trusty donation tins. For the duration of our six-week fundraising campaign donating to our charity partner the NSPCC will be easier than ever."

Exotec

Warehouse robotics provider, Exotec, has announced the commercial launch of the next generation of its Skypod system.

Featuring a new and more compact Skypod robot, a workstation for robot-to-robot picking, a high throughput exchanger and denser storage, these redesigns, combined with new software features, are said to improve the throughput at a single workstation by 50%, while enhancing storage density by up to 30% compared to the previous generation.  

Suitable for both each and case picking, Skypod integrates features like automated buffering, perfect sequencing and pick-and-pack, reducing the need for conveyors, sorters, and external storage.