Tesco linked with Attabotics deal: 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 Carrefour, Reckon.ai, Sainsbury's, Dunelm, New Look, AliExpress, Currys, Auror, Amazon UK, and Gopuff.
1. Attabotics CEO Scott Gravelle opens up about devastating week that brought bankruptcy and Tesco MFCs deal
Last week, we reported that Attabotics, a Canadian warehouse automation systems specialist, had inked a major agreement with Tesco, and also filed for bankruptcy.
Speaking to Brittain Ladd, a supply chain consultant and former Amazon executive, Gravelle, who describes himself as “a recovering visionary, taking a long deserved break” in his LinkedIn bio, said: “The hardest day of my life was having to tell 190 people they were losing their jobs. I am so proud of what the team accomplished. I am devastated at what happened.”
He added: “I am devastated that Attabotics customers, suppliers, integration partners, and many other people are being harmed. I never took money out of the company. I don't have millions of dollars. I worked with a great team of people to build a company and I have nothing to show for it. I lost my job too and I don't know what I will do next."
2. Carrefour and Accor tap Reckon.ai retail technology for launch of BuyBye microstore in hotel in France
Carrefour Belgium has developed a new autonomous micro-store concept, BuyBye, in association with Reckon.AI, with the aim of tapping into opportunities beyond traditional retail.
And now Carrefour and Accor are launching one of these in France. In an ibis Styles hotel near Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport, guests can now visit a BuyBye microstore day and night. This is pitched as the first of its kind in a hotel environment.
In a LinkedIn post, Carrefour Belgium said: “This microstore works completely autonomously thanks to AI and smart refrigerators that automatically recognise, weigh and pay for the chosen products. It’s ideal for travellers arriving late, or departing early and looking for a nice breakfast, quick lunch or snack.”
It added: “Our Belgian expertise paved the way for this first in France. We first launched BuyBye at Belgian locations, including NATO's SHAPE base in Mons. In short, a great example of how we use retail innovation to make consumers' lives easier. Congratulations to everyone who contributed to this!”
3. Amazon boosts UK grocery offering through Gopuff rapid delivery roll-out across the country
Amazon UK has announced a national roll-out of its partnership with on demand delivery specialist Gopuff.
Following an initial launch in Birmingham and Salford in May, Gopuff will now offer thousands of grocery products including alcohol and snacks, which will be delivered to Amazon customers directly by the quick commerce firm in under 60 minutes, and as fast as 15 minutes.
Russell Jones, Director of Grocery Partnerships at Amazon, says: “We are always working to give customers more choice and more convenient options to have their groceries delivered. Partnering with Gopuff and other grocery partners is an important way of offering Amazon customers their favourite stores and brands, ordered via our website. The new launch with Gopuff brings our customers access to a convenient and affordable way to access their everyday groceries.”
4. Sainsbury's CRTO Clodagh Moriarty gears up to take on CEO role at UK homewares retailer Dunelm
Dunelm Group has announced the appointment of Clodagh ("Clo") Moriarty as Chief Executive Officer, with effect from 1st October.
She will succeed Nick Wilkinson who has informed the board of his intention to retire from Dunelm and full-time executive life, following seven years in the role. He will continue in his role until Moriarty's appointment and will step down from the board at the end of September, before leaving the business in early October.
Moriarty is currently the Chief Retail and Technology Officer at Sainsbury's. As a member of the operating board, she holds responsibility for all stores and their operations, alongside Sainsbury's digital offer and strategy, customer experience and end to end technology platforms.
She has been with the business for 15 years, holding a variety of leadership roles, having previously worked for nine years at Bain & Company.
5. AliExpress launches hourly delivery within London for household essentials, food and drink
AliExpress, the international online retail marketplace of Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group, is launching an hourly UK delivery service for household products, food, and beverages.
Beginning this month, customers in Greater London can order via the AliExpress app and get same-day delivery. The service is set to expand to other UK cities this year.
Hungry Panda, a grocer and delivery service, is the first to launch its product range on AliExpress. A curated collection of daily essentials, drinks, snacks and cupboard staples is now available for hourly delivery, including Coca-Cola, instant noodles and toilet paper.
AliExpress has also announced that the platform is now open for local suppliers and businesses to join, supported by a streamlined onboarding process, one to one operational support and a discounted commission fee.
For consumers, this means faster delivery on a wider selection of products, including furniture, large lighting, garden accessories, kitchen gadgets, and more. Orders shipped locally can be delivered within three days at the earliest.
6. East of England Co-op Technology Officer Rob Smith joins 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards judging panel
We’re hugely pleased to announce the addition of Rob Smith, Technology Officer, East of England Co-op, to our 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards judging panel.
Rob is a strategic and accomplished technology and people leader with over 20 years’ experience across the retail, finance, and IT sectors.
Renowned for building and inspiring high performing teams, he consistently delivers exceptional results while driving quality and innovation.
Passionate about IT, data, service delivery, and business transformation, Rob excels at modernising practices and enabling continuous improvement. As Technology Officer at East of England Co-op, he leads the organisation’s technology strategy and drives forward its digital and operational evolution.
7. New Look teams with eLocker for roll-out of smart lockers across retailer's distribution centre
New Look has rolled out over 400 smart lockers, in partnership with eLocker, across its distribution centre.
These sit across eight locations in the warehouse, allowing employees access to equipment whenever and wherever they need it.
Rob Galbraith, Head of Supply & Change Management at New Look, says: “In our fast paced distribution centre, we needed a solution that enabled our handheld terminals to be tracked and organised within seconds. eLocker helps us reduce wait times for our New Lookers and makes everyday tasks easier to complete."
8. Currys announces roll-out of Auror crime reporting tool to all tech retailer's UK and Ireland stores
Currys has announced the roll-out of a new crime reporting tool to all its UK&I stores, following a trial.
The technology and electrical retailer conducted a 12-week trial, across two different regions. It identified ten repeat offenders and resulted in three arrests. The Auror tool also prevented stock loss, saving over £20k worth of product. These results contributed to the decision to proceed with the full roll-out.
Since Currys announced its largest annual investment in store safety measures earlier this year, it claims there has been a 58% reduction in reported aggressive thefts, compared to the year before.
With the Auror solution, stores can record information about crimes and the perpetrators, which are then matched and connected with offences nationwide. As a result, store colleagues are better informed about current threats, and law enforcement has more comprehensive information to build cases.
9. Tesco greenlights multi-million pound investment in new DC to meet demands of growing store network
Tesco is investing in a new distribution centre at DP World London Gateway, which it expects to open in 2029.
It will be working with logistics partner Witron on this.
Andrew Woolfenden, Tesco UK Distribution & Fulfilment Director, says: “Our distribution network is vital for ensuring customers receive products at the right place, time and condition.”
“As demand grows across our store network, we're excited to partner with Witron and DP World to develop a distribution centre that leverages the latest technology, enhancing our supply chain and supporting our decarbonisation goals. By locating at London Gateway, we can also take full advantage of the seaport and rail infrastructure."
10. Delaware North brings Amazon Just Walk Out technology powered Bar Tap to London Stadium
Foodservice company Delaware North has launched a checkout-free bar at London Stadium, powered by Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology.
Bar Tap, which is is located by kiosk three on level zero, is designed to reduce queues and speed up service, giving people more time to enjoy football matches and live events. They can tap in, grab a drink, and get straight back to the action.
It made its debut at the recent sold-out Iron Maiden concert, and offers the likes of beer, cider, spirits and soft drinks.
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