Walmart Discovered raises bar on Roblox: 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 InPost UK, Tesco, Primark, Lekkerland, VusionGroup, Walgreens, Marks and Spencer, VoCoVo, ShopRite, EE, Lowe's, Mirakl, and Veesion.

1. Walmart Discovered Pass launches on Roblox, pitched as first ever branded game pass on the platform

Walmart says that it is raising the bar on Roblox with the launch of Discovered Pass, pitched as the first ever branded game pass on the platform offering exclusive monthly perks across popular and up and coming experiences.

The US retail giant worked with GEEIQ and Sawhorse Productions to bring this to life.

This month, those include the following:

Fisch​: a fishing adventure game to catch the rarest fish on Roblox with more than 162K average players per month.

Catalogue Avatar Creator​: one of the most popular experiences to customise avatars with more than 3.6 billion total visits to date.

Jail Break​: a global top 100 game on the platform with more than 5.6 million likes allowing players to strategise with friends.

Mega Hide and Seek​: a top 50 game in the United States where players have one minute to hide before the seeker looks for them.

Horse Valley: with more than 815K items favourited, players build ranches, train horses, and solve mysteries alongside friends.

Select developers of participating games will be participating in AMA events and hosting game nights with Walmart’s Discord community each month. They’ll also be highlighting their branded or favourite products from Walmart with links to buy.

The pass can be purchased for 199 Robux in Walmart Discovered or directly in participating games and experiences. New perks will be added every month. Pass holders can also earn free limited UGC from their favourite creators in Walmart Discovered each month.

2. InPost UK hits milestone as it announces installation of 1,000th Tesco parcel locker location

InPost UK reports the installation of its 1,000th Tesco locker location.

These provide shoppers with a way to collect, return, and send parcels while integrating into their shopping trips at both large Tesco stores (Extra, Superstore, Petrol) and Tesco convenience stores (Tesco Esso, Tesco Express).

The partnership has been live since 2021, with InPost and Tesco citing research that shows 66% of users combine their locker visit with a Tesco shop and 53% say they now visit Tesco more frequently because of the lockers.

Neil Kuschel, CEO at InPost UK, comments: “Reaching 1,000 lockers at Tesco is yet another major milestone in our mission to make parcel collection, returns, and sending as easy and seamless as possible. We’ve achieved rapid growth in the UK, expanding our range of innovative services and our locker network to reach even more consumers across the nation.”

“Our success and partnership with Tesco demonstrate that out-of-home delivery solutions like our lockers not only offer unmatched convenience for shoppers but also benefit retailers. We're proud to continue expanding our network with them and look forward to making everyday shopping trips even easier for millions of shoppers across the UK.”

A Tesco spokesperson says: “We are always looking for ways to enhance the shopping experience and make things easier and more convenient for our customers. With the installation of the 1,000th InPost Locker location, more Tesco customers can now benefit from the convenience of collecting, returning or sending parcels during their regular shopping trips, across the UK.”

3. REWE Group's Lekkerland taps VusionGroup retail technology for roll-out of 24/7 smart kiosks in Germany

Lekkerland, REWE Group’s specialist in convenience solutions, has partnered with VusionGroup for a project involving its network of autonomous 24/7 smart kiosks that leverage self-checkout technology across Germany.

Located in clinics, workplaces, and public spaces, these mini-stores are now equipped with VusionGroup’s solutions, enabling GDPR compliant real-time shelf monitoring, cloud-based pricing, promotions, and stock management - all remotely controlled from Lekkerland’s headquarters in Frechen.

By integrating VusionGroup’s Cloud platform, digital price tags, and AI powered shelf monitoring technology, Lekkerland says that it gains complete visibility into every product on every shelf. The system enables pricing and promotion updates, accurate restocking alerts, and item level performance insights.

4. Walgreens opens another micro-fulfillment centre with latest facility supporting stores across US Midwest

Walgreens has opened a new micro-fulfillment centre (MFC) in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.

This facility aims to streamline prescription processing and reduce administrative tasks, freeing up pharmacists to focus more on delivering personalised care to their patients. It will support nearly 200 Walgreens stores across the Midwest, including 145 in Minnesota alone, and is expected to process approximately 13 million prescriptions each year.

"Walgreens’ investment in micro-fulfillment centres is another strategic step toward a brighter future for community pharmacy,” says Rick Gates, Chief Pharmacy Officer at Walgreens. “Research shows that Americans want more health services at their local pharmacy, and micro-fulfillment centres help us meet those needs by allowing our pharmacists do what they do best: spend more time with patients.”

Walgreens’ network of 12 micro-fulfillment centres now supports over 5,000 stores across the country, fulfilling more than 3.5 million prescriptions weekly.

5. Veesion lands $43 million in Series B funding as it looks to lead charge in tackling retail theft with AI

France-based AI powered retail security technology startup Veesion has bagged $43 million in a Series B funding round.

This brings the total raised so far to $80 million, including non-diluting.

The company uses gesture-based artificial intelligence, connected to a store’s existing security cameras, to alert staff the moment suspicious movements are detected. Its tech is live in 5,000+ stores across 25 countries, including 500 in the US. Clients include ShopRite, Key Food, and 7-Eleven.

In a LinkedIn post, Co-founder and CRO, Benoît Koenig, said: “This is a pivotal moment for us, and I want to extend a huge thank you to White Star Capital, Red River West, Bpifrance, KPN Ventures, and our long-term investors for their continued trust and belief in our vision.”

He added: “This milestone wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our 5,000 customers across 25 countries, who trust us to help them tackle one of retail’s biggest challenges, shoplifting. Their success is our success, and their belief in Veesion fuels our ambition to continue driving innovation in AI powered security.”

6. Retail in-store team communication specialist VoCoVo scores headsets deployment at 30 ShopRite stores

VoCoVo has announced a roll-out of its Series 5 Pro Headsets - the firm’s voice communication technology - at select ShopRite stores in the New York tri-state area.

The headset is a fully integrated solution that connects retail team members, enhances customer interactions and syncs with other connected store technology.

Key features include telephony integration, allowing associates to make, receive and transfer customer calls directly from their headsets. Others include connectivity with curbside pick-up services, and self-checkout systems.

“Since successfully launching VoCoVo at our first stores late last year, we have continued to accelerate deployment of the technology across member store groups,” says Chris McCrae, Retail Innovation Lead at Wakefern Food Corp., the retailer owned supermarket cooperative and distribution and merchandising arm of ShopRite.

“ShopRite store teams report more seamless direct communication with the headsets. The feedback from our stores has been very positive, and we’re excited to add VoCoVo’s headsets to even more locations this year.”

7. In defence of Marks and Spencer as UK retailer gears up for eye watering £300 million profit hit from cyber attack

Over the last few weeks, there’s been a lot of noise surrounding a high profile cyber attack on M&S. some of it informed, some of it not. As someone who works in cybersecurity, Mark Hughes, CSO at The National Lottery, has taken to social media to add a more grounded perspective.

As it released full year results for the 52 weeks ended 29th March 2025, M&S this week said it will lose an estimated £300 million as a result of the cyber attack that has forced it to halt online orders and struggle to keep store shelves stocked. This has been linked to a hacking collective known as Scattered Spider.

Earlier this month, an M&S insider talked to Sky News about chaotic scenes at the UK high street giant and claimed there was no business continuity plan in place.

In a LinkedIn post, Hughes said: “Firstly just because one person interviewed by Sky News says there isn’t a plan, doesn’t actually mean there isn’t, it means that specific person wasn’t aware of it (probably because they aren’t relevant to responding to the attack). Writing such a story based on one insider’s' gossip to the press is a not the most robust piece of journalism in my view.”

He added: “The attack carried out by Scattered Spider is not your average cyber incident. This group are an advanced and aggressive threat actor who have targeted some of the world’s largest organisations using techniques that would test even the most mature security teams.”

What often gets missed in the commentary is what M&S actually did do, Hughes argued.

8. Forest legend Viv Anderson cuts ribbon as EE opens first East Midlands Experience store in Nottingham’s Victoria Centre

EE this week opened the doors of its first East Midlands Experience store in Nottingham’s Victoria Centre. Local legend and former footballer Viv Anderson cut the ribbon and welcomed the first visitors to the new experiential retail space. 

The Experience location is EE’s first of 2025 and forms part of a £3 million investment this year into bricks and mortar concept stores. It features zones themed around four key areas – Game, Work, Learn, and Home – along with a Tech Home area showcasing the future of connected living. 

The latter allows customers to visualise their ideal connected home setup with smart TVs, lighting, security systems and EE’s fast broadband, complemented by advice from EE’s staff.

Anderson says: “As a techie and someone born and raised in Nottingham, I’m thrilled that EE has opened a new space in the heart of the city. Innovative spaces like  this give people the opportunity to get hands-on with the technology that’s shaping our future."

“Nottingham has always been full of talent and creativity, and with the support of EE’s in-store guides, anyone can seek tailored advice to make the most out of their  tech and devices. I can’t wait to see how it sparks ambition in the next generation.” 

9. Paul Edney looks back on retail tech milestones including self-service checkouts as he departs Primark

Paul Edney is leaving Primark where he spent the past four years, most recently serving as Technology Director Channels.

He departs as the retailer announces that its Click & Collect offering is now live across all its 187 stores in Great Britain, including, for the first time, all 21 locations in Scotland. The project kicked off in November 2022 when it first launched a trial service across 25 stores in the north of England and Wales.

10. Lowe’s ramps up Marketplace push after December launch by connecting with Mirakl

Mirakl is partnering with Lowe’s Marketplace to help it offer a wider range of both premium and value products for every home project, supporting the retailer’s Total Home Strategy. 

MyLowe’s Rewards members earn points on all Marketplace purchases. All items are available for home delivery, and returns can be made at any of Lowe’s 1,700+ stores.

The marketplace launched in December. Since then, Lowe’s has expanded its offerings from third-party sellers including indoor and outdoor furniture, kitchen and bath, home décor, power and hand tools. This provides more options alongside Lowe’s product assortment available in-store and online, catering to the needs of both do-it-yourself homeowners and professional customers.