Turning ten and staying healthy: here are last week’s biggest retail technology plays at a glance
RTIH rounds up the stand out retail systems deals, launches, deployments and pilots from the past seven days. Including KIKO Milano, Logistics Reply, Polytag, Biffa, Glovo, COOP Estonia, NCR Voyix, StrongPoint, Ocado Group, Bon Preu, Favor, JD Logistics, Walmart, Soda Health, Sunkost, Sitoo, Chemist Warehouse, DPD, Giant Eagle, Monoprix, Oh Polly, and AllSaints.
KIKO Milano
Logistics Reply, a Reply Group company specialising in supply chain solutions, has partnered with cosmetics brand, KIKO Milano, on a project involving its e-commerce operations in the UK.
With rapid growth in the UK market and a rising demand for online shopping and fast home delivery, KIKO recognised the need to evolve its supply chain operations.
It opened a new dark store in London and selected Logistics Reply with its LEA Reply Warehouse Management System (WMS) to build a more scalable and agile logistics infrastructure.
Over a period of four months from project kick off to go live, the dark store was fully operational and managed entirely by KIKO’s in-house team. The new set up has significantly improved both delivery times and product availability across the region, according to the company.
Polytag and Biffa
Polytag, a specialist in tagging and tracing packaging to point of recycling, has announced developments with longstanding partner Biffa, which operates in the sustainable waste management space.
The collaboration extends coverage of Polytag’s network in the UK, laying groundwork for real-time packaging traceability in London for household brands.
The firm’s network of Plastic Detection Units situated in recycling centres across the UK provides insights - at barcode level - on the journey of packaging through to recycling, designed to unlock data to drive greater efficiency and sustainability-focused decision-making in the supply chain.
Its packaging detection technology is now installed at Biffa’s Edmonton Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in North London. This latest installation - part of Polytag’s Ecotrace Programmm - enables brands to view and evaluate data capture of their fluorescent UV tagged packaging across an even greater share of UK recycled material as it enters Biffa’s London facility.
Glovo
Spain-based quick commerce specialist and technology company Glovo has announced a new round of app updates focused on personalising the user experience and enhancing product discovery.
Daniel Alonso, Chief Product Officer at Glovo, says: “We are handing the keys of personalisation to our users. While we will showcase the most relevant content for them, we will also enable them to shape their homepage as they want.”
Glovo, which turns ten this year, is launching a new gifting journey inside the app, with a dedicated landing page and chatbot powered by AI that will help customers find the perfect gift. It’s designed to solve a common frustration: wanting to order or send a thoughtful gift, but not knowing where to start.
The new virtual assistant guides customers based on three simple inputs: occasion, recipient, and budget. Users can then swipe through suggestions, like or dismiss options, and add to cart, all in one journey.
Stadium
Visual Art has entered a partnership with Stadium, a sports retailer in the Nordics.
A five-year agreement positions Visual Art as Stadium’s strategic full service partner for digital in-store communication. The collaboration aims to future-proof and enhance the effectiveness of Stadium’s digital signage solutions across its store network in Sweden and Finland.
The agreement includes the takeover and upgrade of its existing digital signage network, as well as the joint development of an In-store retail media concept. This will feature Share of Voice models and the ASPACE solution for anonymised real-time data from sensors, establishing a new communication platform that aims to enhance the customer experience and generate new in-store revenue opportunities.
JD Logistics
JINGDONG Logistics (also known as JD Logistics) has launched JoyExpress, its self-operated B2C express delivery service in Saudi Arabia. Covering most regions, this provides customers with options such as cash on delivery, and delivery as fast as same-day or next-day, fulfilled by its team of in-house couriers.
In Saudi Arabia, JINGDONG Logistics is establishing a network of warehouses, transfer and sorting centers, and a growing number of delivery stations. It is building a local team that includes in-house couriers, drivers, warehouse staff and customer service personnel. In addition to express delivery, the company also offers enterprise clients end-to-end supply chain logistics solutions.
JoyExpress will offer a suite of additional services, including address changes, temporary return storage, scheduled deliveries, reverse pickups, and insurance coverage. It will also support cross-border shipping, customs clearance, and local transportation, offering a fully integrated solution for international and domestic commerce.
Ocado Group and Bon Preu
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
Monoprix
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.
StrongPoint
StrongPoint has announced the launch of RetailQ, an analytics service for grocery retailers.
RetailQ taps digital simulation and virtual pick bots to help grocery retailers identify cost savings and improve efficiency in their in-store picking operations. By digitally modelling every step of the fulfillment process, it enables them to test different scenarios, quantify the impact of operational changes, optimise workflows and reveal hidden inefficiencies.
Instacart
Costco is expanding the ways members can shop on their own terms through its e-commerce platform powered by Instacart by offering No-Rush Delivery and Priority Delivery services.
Kroger, meanwhile, is also introducing Express Delivery, providing grocery delivery in as fast as 30 minutes directly from the retailer’s app and website.
And through full stack, end-to-end tech like Instacart Storefront Pro, retailers like Harmons and Woodman’s are integrating fulfillment directly into their e-commerce offering. Customers shop as usual directly on retailers’ websites and apps, select a time slot, and Instacart handles the rest – from picking and packing to last mile delivery.
COOP Estonia
COOP Estonia has placed an order for over 130 NCR Voyix self-checkouts to be rolled out across stores over the next 1.5 years, with the aim of enhancing efficiency and delivering a smoother, more modern shopping experience.
The project also involved StrongPoint.
"Thrilled to see this major milestone in our partnership with COOP Estonia," says Darius Jodzevičius, Product Group Development Manager at StrongPoint.
"They’ve placed an order for over 130 NCR Voyix self-checkouts, and I’m especially proud because this represents more than a technology upgrade - it’s a reflection of trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to retail innovation. These nex-generation systems will enable COOP to offer a faster, more flexible, and more efficient shopping experience across their stores in Estonia."
Walmart
Walmart and Soda Health have announced a collaboration to launch the Walmart Everyday Health Signals programme to select Medicare Advantage and Medicaid members.
The initiative helps participating flex card members by providing personalised nutrition and guidance based on retail shopping insights and analysis.
This includes key nutritional information for purchases like fruits and vegetables and identifying products to help reach wellness goals, along with customised healthy recipes and shopping lists.
After selecting a wellness objective, members will receive guidance tailored to their goals and personal shopping habits. They will be provided data driven guidance to help navigate food choices and lifestyle change. Information may also be used by health plans to identify additional benefits which support the members’ overall health and wellness.
For example, insights may be used by plans to facilitate care coordination and identify additional benefits in support of the member’s overall health and wellness
HYROX
THG Ingenuity's THG Commerce offshoot has launched a new direct-to-consumer e-commerce website for HYROX.
Deploying THG Commerce’s end-to-end solution, THG Fulfil, HYROX will receive support across e-commerce, marketing, and fulfilment. The partnership covers a range of global services including re-platforming its D2C ecommerce website, customer services, sales processing, and international fulfilment.
Moritz Fürste, Co-Founder at HYROX, says: “Our partnership with THG Commerce marks an exciting new chapter for HYROX as we launch a new global e-commerce platform. Athletes across the world can now purchase official HYROX products and exclusive collections from global partners on the website, which THG Commerce has been integral to making happen at speed and scale. We’re thrilled to be taking this next step in the brand’s evolution and giving athletes the e-commerce experience they deserve.”
Favor
Technology consultancy, Thoughtworks, reports that Favor, a Texas-based on-demand delivery app owned by H-E-B, has launched a new Shop & Deliver platform - a B2B (business-to-business) service.
“Together with Thoughtworks, we are excited to release this innovative platform to meet the growing demand for fast and convenient delivery service for both customers and runners across Texas,” says Steve Romney, Chief Technology Officer, Favor Delivery. “The new Shop and Deliver service is part of our continued commitment to providing exceptional customer service, quality and convenience.”
Shop & Deliver offers features such as real-time inventory updates and streamlines data flow to manage simultaneous shopping and delivery tasks. The platform provides a scalable technology, which increases Favor’s capacity, flexibility and speed to serve a network of over 100,000 runners (contract delivery drivers) and customers in more than 400 communities across Texas.
📦 @Favor Delivery just launched “Shop & Deliver” — a new B2B platform co-created with Thoughtworks to reimagine delivery and fulfillment in Texas.
— Thoughtworks (@thoughtworks) June 18, 2025
✅ Real-time inventory
✅ Scalable tech for 100K+ Runners
✅ Seamless customer experience
Read more: https://t.co/R555EuUyNw pic.twitter.com/PYCiyspxrH
Sedano's Supermarkets
Sedano's Supermarkets, the largest Hispanic retailer in the US, has selected RELEX Solutions to unify pricing and promotions across its supermarkets in Florida. RELEX will help Sedano’s transition from manual pricing processes to AI powered analytics, with the aim of enabling smarter pricing and more targeted promotions tailored to its customer base.
Sedano’s operates 32 stores across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Orange counties. The RELEX solution leverages AI driven analysis of purchasing patterns and market trends to support smarter, demand aware pricing.
Sedano’s says it will be able to set competitive prices, forecast promotional impacts, and streamline workflows, ensuring alignment with business goals and maximising sales and profitability. The system also allows for banner specific customisation to account for regional differences and is managed through intuitive dashboards that deliver real-time insights for fast, informed decision-making.
PC Optimum and DoorDash
PC Optimum, a Canadian rewards programme, and quick commerce platform, DoorDash, have announced a partnership whereby the former's members can earn five points for every dollar spent on the latter's eligible orders delivered from restaurants and Loblaw banner stores (including Real Canadian Superstore, No Frills, Loblaws, and Shoppers Drug Mart).
"PC Optimum has always been about rewarding Canadians for the things they buy most often," says Lauren Steinberg, Executive Vice President and Chief Digital Officer at Loblaw Companies.
"By partnering with DoorDash, we're extending the value of our programme beyond our stores and into even more moments of everyday life. Whether it's groceries, everyday essentials, pharmacy, or now your favourite restaurant meals, we're making it easier to earn rewards wherever and however you choose to eat. This is another step in solidifying PC Optimum as the most rewarding and relevant loyalty programme in the country."
Albertsons Media Collective
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.
Oh Polly
Earlier this month, online fashion retailer Oh Polly opened its first permanent retail store, with Los Angeles the choice for its physical debut.
In a LinkedIn post, Kya Jones, Tech Project Manager, said: "Within two months of joining Oh Polly as a Project Manager, I was asked if I could operationally open our first flagship store in Los Angeles, CA.”
“With the mindset of “there’s nothing I can’t do”, I willingly agreed. While the store was well into it’s design, the gap was ensuring it could operationally and technically function. Less than seven months later, the store is open and in business."
In this time frame, the following has been delivered: A PoS system that natively syncs with the customer base; Tech to understand customer demographics which will support its marketing and central teams in targeting the correct customer base; Software to allow customers to book and hold fitting rooms in advance; Built a fully functional retail operation connecting the LA store to warehouses and factories around the world.
Jones concluded: "And that’s just touching the tip of the iceberg! I’m confident it’s the shared “can do” attitude across the business that got our flagship live and functioning successfully. We may be operational but there is always room for continuous improvement."
AllSaints
AllSaints has gone live with Dixa's CX platform.
In a LinkedIn post, Mads Fosselius, Dixa founder, said: "Live in three weeks! Some brands need no introduction. AllSaints is one of them. Walk down any major UK high street today and you’ll see them… the brands that have shaped British style for decades."
"What you won’t see is what’s powering the experience behind the scenes... a choice that has become the go to CX platform for premium retail and e-commerce brands. Born in Shoreditch, raised on the high street, AllSaints has become retail “royalty” with 30 years of influence, attitude and style. We’re so proud to welcome them to Dixa."
He added: "Massive congratulations and thanks to SJ Grabiec (Global Head of Customer) whose leadership has shaped AllSaints’ customer focus, and the rest of the stellar team for the warm welcome and collaboration and to our fantastic team for making it happen."
Retail247
Retail247, a provider of SaaS solutions, has announced the launch of Archean.OMS, a new order management solution designed to help retailers optimise fulfilment across increasingly complex, omnichannel environments.
Built on the firm’s Archean platform, the new module offers intelligent order routing, real-time stock visibility and integration with e-commerce, ERP, PoS and warehouse systems.
Retailers can deploy Archean.OMS on its own or alongside the platform’s existing stock management and purchase order tools, creating a single, scalable platform for managing the full retail operations lifecycle.
It supports all major fulfilment methods (including Click & Collect and dropship) and assigns orders to the most efficient location based on delivery speed, cost and availability. A cloud native, API first architecture ensures rapid deployment and resilience, especially during peak trading periods.
Curious about how our stock management solution, Archean, can transform a retail business?
— Retail247 (@Retail247_) December 17, 2024
Read our new booklet to find out 👇https://t.co/67xm9xMX2Y pic.twitter.com/GAxVsTWwu0
Sunkost
Sitoo has announced a partnership with Sunkost.
In a LinkedIn post, it said: "Sunkost is Norway’s largest health chain who believe healthier people are happier people. And happier people make for a happier world.”
“We’re incredibly excited Sitoo PoS and Unified Commerce Platform will now be powering their stores across Norway. With this exciting new partnership, we know we can help them help even more people by delivering seamless, positive shopping experiences everywhere and every time."
Chemist Warehouse
Evan Demangos, IT Store Developments Team Leader at Australian retailer Chemist Warehouse, has taken to social media to discuss IT delivery challenges around the opening of a new store in Ireland.
In a LinkedIn post, he said: "What does it take to open a store 17,000 km away, with no boots on the ground and a ten-hour time difference? That was the challenge for our latest international store Chemist Warehouse Bray - our 14th store in Ireland. While fitout and operations are handled locally, all IT delivery was coordinated remotely from Australia. From planning to day one trade, our model holds strong."
He added: "Here’s what that looks like: Infrastructure roll-out delivered with trusted local vendors; All front of house and backend tech remotely provisioned and tested; Internet, payments and telephony services organised offshore; Key tech staged and shipped from Australia; Everything live and operational by go live."
"It works because of established processes, experienced coordination and regional partners like KFP Total IT Solutions and RFC Security Group. We’re proud to enable international launches like this - quietly, reliably and wherever they’re needed."
DPD
UK parcel delivery company DPD has announced a new investment of £330 million to build seven 60,000 sq ft distribution centres in the next two years.
This will see the firm deliver the 50th new build distribution centre as part of a programme to strengthen its nationwide network of over 80 regional parcel centres.
Work will begin on new DCs in Crawley and Darlington this year, Cambridge, Bradford, Guildford, Milton Keynes and Sittingbourne in 2026 with all seven facilities operational by early 2027.
The new fully automated sortation facilities will each be capable of processing up to 80,000 parcels a day, with capacity to accommodate over 100 new delivery driver routes to ensure the operation can handle the demand for DPD's services in each area with space to carry on growing for a number of years.
Giant Eagle
Giant Eagle, a US food retailer and distributor, has implemented Manhattan Active Warehouse Management (WM) at its largest facility in Bedford Heights, Ohio. Spanning over one million square feet, this technology upgrade is part of the company’s commitment to achieving a highly automated logistics network.
This is Giant Eagle’s fifth facility in its cloud migration to Manhattan Active WM, with plans to transition its remaining two DCs by September 2025.
With Manhattan, it completed each implementation with a quick return to full production levels within days of launching the updated system. In its first week of operation, Giant Eagle’s warehouse processed hundreds of thousands of inbound and outbound cases.
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