JD Sports is hitting Vegas, baby: 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 Whole Foods Market, Monoprix, Ocado Group, Bon Preu, SkinCupid, Alipay, Giant Eagle, Currys, and Voyado.
1. Whole Foods Market slammed for hypocrisy as it preps micro fulfilment centres in select stores that hold CPG goods
Whole Foods Market is planning to install automated micro fulfilment centres (MFCs) inside the back rooms of select stores. The MFCs are from Amazon and Fulfil and will hold CPG products like Coke, Tide, and Oreos. This will allow customers in the stores to place an order for CPG products, with the MFCs fulfilling the order.
It’s a move that not only reeks of hypocrisy, but will also be a waste of capital. So says Brittain Ladd, a supply chain consultant and former Amazon executive.
In a LinkedIn post, he notes that the robotic systems are stocked with exactly the kinds of products Whole Foods refuses to sell in its aisles and on its shelves - from sugary sodas to ultra-processed snacks.
“Why the change? Reality. Kroger, Walmart and other retailers have increased the amount of organics that they sell, and they're luring away Whole Foods customers. In addition, according to internal data, 97% of its customers leave the stores to finish their grocery shopping at a competitor, usually Kroger or Walmart. Whole Foods is losing billions of dollars annually because it won't stock and sell the CPG products its customers love,” Ladd wrote.
“Amazon, who owns Whole Foods Market, has executives smart enough to understand that it would be best for Whole Foods to keep its customers in its stores. Amazon is the reason why micro-fulfillment centres are being installed. However, did Amazon make the right decision? No, it didn't.”
2. JD Sports follows landmark Manchester Trafford Centre store with US West Coast flagship location opening
JD Sports unveiled its first US West Coast flagship store at Las Vegas Blvd this past weekend.
In a LinkedIn post, Mauro Victor Boeta, Retail Marketing Specialist at JD Finish Line, said: "After months and months of work, 1317 Las Vegas Blvd is finally open! The third JD flagship store in the books. Shout out to everyone who contributed to this insane project and a special shout out to the entire marketing team for putting in the hours people don’t see."
Martin Trevillion, Head of Store Development at JD Group, said: “Punctuating the desert of Nevada with its dazzling lights, Las Vegas demands attention globally like no other city. Responding to this unique and evocative context allowed us to express ourselves in the way that we know so well, with strength, boldness and unapologetically JD Sports Fashion.”
“A store front has been revealed that represents a statement like no other we’ve previously attempted. With the tallest and most architectuarally integrated digital screen ever delivered in a JD shopfront. To acheive this we have pushed and challenged ourselves, our consultants and supply chain partners with a result that not only stands up to the expectations of this entertertainment epicentre, but one that will stand out in this digitally dynamic destination.”
He continued: “Beyond the façade, which stands at over 16 metres, the journey of intent continues with the the latest iteration of store environment concept. It represents JD, our brand partners and the strength of our culture driven through our vision of being forever forward.”
“At this point it is only right that I recognise Gerald Cropsey (VP of New Development and Construction-Multi-Site at Jones Lang LaSalle), who through patience and tenacity was able to not only be the delivery force behind this project. He also succesfully managed and guided a group of driven, dedicated and dynamic individuals to achieve something amazing in an epic but challenging location. Kudos to this man and someone I will always consider a friend.”
JD LV BLVD is now open 📍
— JD Sports US (@jdsportsus) June 15, 2025
Come thru 🔥 pic.twitter.com/WyxCiLvz8w
3. Albertsons Media Collective hits Cannes Lions 2025 in France for launch of in-store digital display network
Albertsons Media Collective, the retail media arm of Albertsons Companies, has announced the launch of its in-store digital display network during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in France.
In partnership with STRATACACHE, Albertsons Media Collective will power its new solution through a fleet of digital screens, with the aim of promoting product discovery and creating media offerings that allow brand partners of all sizes to engage their customers.
“We’ve identified a significant opportunity to enhance our in-store customers' shopping experience by delivering relevant and impactful messaging at the point of purchase,” says Jennifer Saenz, Chief Commercial Officer at Albertsons Cos. “Our partnership with STRATACACHE enables brand partners to engage directly with our shoppers at this key moment, providing them with compelling offers, meal inspiration and timely information.”
A pilot will launch this summer in select Albertsons Cos. stores in two key regions, featuring large format premium displays in high traffic areas at impactful touchpoints during the customer journey, such as the entrance and produce department.
4. SkinCupid gears up to open first flagship store near London Oxford Street as K‑beauty demand surges
The 3,000 sq ft flagship, located just 100 metres from Tottenham Court Road underground station, marks a milestone for the UK’s fast growing Korean skincare retailer and taps into a booming £5 billion market.
SkinCupid, the UK-based Korean skincare platform, is preparing to open its first ever physical store. This will be located at Ilona Rose House, a new mixed use development on Charing Cross Road.
Announced via a TikTok video posted by the official SkinCupid account, the company revealed: “We signed the lease to our first ever flagship store in central London. It'll be 3,000 square feet, just 100 metres down from Tottenham Court Road station, and we've designed the whole space to feel like a home to all of you.”
5. Co-op Peckish delivery app gears up for a first at Isle of Wight Festival this coming weekend
Co-op’s recently launched app, Peckish, is making its festival debut at the Sky Presents Isle of Wight Festival this weekend.
The retailer has been serving festival goers at Isle of Wight since 2019 and this year operates two stores at the event. A Grab and Go store is located in Electric Ladyland with everything needed to help revellers ‘survive and thrive’ at the event - from cold drinks, meal deals and ice, to sunscreen and wipes.
This year, it also has a Click and Collect site at the Mellow Yellow Campsite for orders placed via the Peckish app.
6. Alipay enables in-store payment functionality across China for AR glasses in partnership with Rokid
Rokid, a specialist in augmented reality, has launched Rokid Glasses, its latest AR device. In China, the product supports in-store payments facilitated by Alipay’s digital technology and multidimensional risk control solution for AR glasses.
This will begin rolling out to users starting in June, with over 250,000 units thus far ordered.
Users link their Alipay account via the Rokid app and enable voice verification. In stores, they say: “Rokid, pay 10 RMB.” The glasses scan the merchant’s Alipay QR code. Users then confirm by voice, with payment details shown on the display.
“Equipping Rokid Glasses with payment capabilities brings users a smoother and more intuitive experience, while also ushering the AI glasses industry into the era of payment. We believe this will set a new benchmark for the industry. Behind this innovation is close collaboration with Alipay on both payment and risk technologies. Looking ahead, we will continue to explore new experiences together,” says Zhu Mingming, Founder and CEO at Rokid.
7. Ocado Group expands tie up with first ever international partner Bon Preu and preps new CFC
Ocado Group and Bon Preu have announced an expansion of their partnership, with plans to construct a customer fulfilment centre (CFC) in Parets del Vallès, near Barcelona, to serve customers in the Catalonia region.
Bon Preu was Ocado's first international partner, signing a deal in 2017 to grow an online proposition in Catalonia, drawing on the latter’s experience as an online and logistics operator in the UK. It has deployed Ocado's technology across its e-commerce supply chain.
Gregor Ulitzka, Europe President at Ocado Solutions, says: "Today is an exciting moment as we enter a new phase with our longest standing international partner. Our partnership with Bon Preu is an amazing example of a retailer using the full strategic toolkit that we offer.”
“They have already developed a market leading online proposition in Catalonia with Ocado's In-Store Fulfilment technology and will now benefit from a highly automated CFC, offering an enhanced customer proposition and a significantly lower cost-to-serve. We look forward to continuing to work together to deliver unbeatable experiences online to customers in the Catalonia region."
We are proud to announce an expansion of our partnership with our first international partner @BonPreuEsclat , who will build a new CFC serving Catalonia! #OcadoGroup #BonPreu #Catalonia #Spain #onlinegrocery (1/3) pic.twitter.com/nsQJjiS4bB
— Ocado Group (@OcadoGroup) June 18, 2025
8. Swedish AI powered retail technology platform Voyado lands new majority investor as Viking jumps onboard
Voyado has secured backing from investment firm Viking, in a deal that puts its valuation at SEK 3.5 billion (approximately £260 million). This makes Viking its new majority shareholder.
Completion of the transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals.
“We’ve never tried to be everything to everyone - we build solutions for a sector we know inside out. That focus on retail is exactly what made Viking see the potential in us,” says Johan Bäckarlin, Co-Founder at Voyado.
Having gained traction in the Nordics, over the past 18 months Voyado has inked partnerships with several UK retailers across fashion and lifestyle, including Cutler and Gross, Pour Moi, Ellis Brigham, and Silver Cross. It says that it aims to scale further in the UK by providing retailers with AI driven solutions for loyalty, personalisation, and product discovery, all tailored specifically for the retail sector.
9. Monoprix connects with RELEX Solutions to use AI powered forecasting and replenishment across 400 stores
Monoprix, a French retail chain and part of the Casino Group, has selected RELEX Solutions and Accenture as it looks to transform the planning and replenishment of its textile, home, and leisure categories.
Within a few months, RELEX tech will service the entire store network (400 stores) and two distribution centres with the goal of driving increased global revenue and margin through AI powered demand forecasting and replenishment.
Monoprix is known for its wide variety of products, including food, fashion, beauty, and home goods. It has over 30,000 SKUs and operates several smaller store format brands including Monoprix and Monop. By leveraging AI, it says it will be better placed to manage its mix of permanent and seasonal items, ultimately enhancing operational efficiency and sustainability by reducing waste through excess inventory.
10. Electrical and technology retailer Currys picks up Cannes Lions 2025 award for Gen Z social media content
Currys has emerged victorious at Cannes Lions, which is taking place in France this week.
The electrical and technology retailer picked up an award for its social media team turning to TikTok to reach a new audience.
Focusing on Gen Z and Millennial trends on the social media platform, including one where the products in-store were described in humorous, popular phrases among young people, it notched up its highest performing video of all time, involving pancakes being made in an air fryer. This reached ten million views on the app.
In a LinkedIn post, Dan Rubel, Brand & Marketing Director at Currys, said: “Our Gen Z moment on social content generated boat loads of engagement, myriads of copycats and more PR then we ever dared to dream about... and now is amongst the 3% of Cannes entrants that actually received some metal.”
He added: “Very proud of and grateful to Ryan Todd (Senior Social Media & PR Manager at Currys) and his fab social crew (part of Sarah Leat's wider marketing and promo group) for the award win and for the wider customer and commercial impact your work has had over the last 12-18 months.”
“The post that won the award is actually the tip of iceberg in terms of what their team have achieved - and so much more to come in the year ahead. As well as the in-house team, big love to Fabric Social and iSiteTV - our social content creation partners and extensions of the Currys family.”
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