Seaside stores and social successes: check out our biggest retail technology articles on LinkedIn
We’re big fans of LinkedIn and are busy building an amazing community of retail tech enthusiasts on the social media platform. As we power towards the 25,000 followers mark, these are the articles that are currently on their radars, including Gallery, Amazon Just Walk Out, Simbe, Lowe's Companies, Quorso, American Eagle, Sydney Sweeney, TikTok Shop UK, Crew Clothing Company, and the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.
Gallery launches Amazon Just Walk Out technology powered store at Iona University as students return
Gallery has launched an Amazon Just Walk Out technology powered store at Iona University in the US, in time for the return of students to campus following the summer break.
In a LinkedIn post, Garett Buchholz, Account Executive at Gallery, said: “Keeping the foot on the gas pedal. Proud to announce the launch of another Amazon JWO store at Iona University.”
He added: “Big thanks to Andrew Goodman (Project Manager at Gallery), Peter L. Bonacci (Regional Vice President at Chartwells Higher Education Dining Services), Francis Spiegel (Senior Programme Manager at Amazon Web Services), and everyone else who helped bring this project to life right before the school year kicked off.”
“Students are now returning to campus with a renovated building - and inside it, a brand new JWO store designed to maximise throughput and create a smoother, more convenient experience.”
Call for entries: just one month left to get your submissions in for the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards
Time is running out to enter the seventh edition of the RTIH Innovation Awards, sponsored by Vista Technology Support, 3D Cloud, EdTech Innovation Hub, and Retail Technology Show.
Deadline for submissions is Friday, 19th September.
The awards celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world. Check out our 2024 winners here.
Our latest winners will be revealed at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Thursday, 16th October.
Key dates
Friday, 19th September: Award entry deadline
Tuesday, 23rd September: 2025 finalists revealed
Wednesday, 24th September - Wednesday, 8th October: Judging days
Thursday, 16th October: Winners announced at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Thursday, 16th October.
UK health and wellness retailer Holland & Barrett focuses on DSARs with Aiimi AI powered workplace platform
Holland & Barrett says that it has dramatically cut the time and effort required to process Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs), saving an estimated 3,000 hours annually with the help of Aiimi’s Workplace AI Platform.
The UK health and wellness retailer saw an 83% year-on-year increase in DSARs.
Thousands of hours were being spent on manually locating, assessing and redacting sensitive information from large volumes of unstructured data. Failure to complete a DSAR can damage public trust and leave organisations in hot water with the ICO, risking fines of up to £17.5 million for non-compliance. H&B needed a way to ensure the rigour of the process without sacrificing more time.
Former Focal Systems executive Paul Warren joins retail shelf digitisation firm Simbe as VP of EMEA
Paul Warren is starting a new role as VP of EMEA at Simbe.
In a LInkedIn post, Warren, whose CV includes stints at SymphonyAI and Focal Systems, said: “Over the last 25 years, I’ve helped bring a range of pioneering technologies to market - from the first mobile email platform, to the first mobile advertising platform, and then more recently, bringing the first fixed camera for retail solution to the UK. I’ve always derived the most satisfaction from using new technology to deliver huge value to customers.”
He added: “Across Europe, I’ve consistently heard the same priorities from retail leaders: how to overcome labour shortages, smooth supply chain issues, and ensure shelves are stocked to deliver the best customer experience and ultimately increase sales. Store intelligence like Simbe’s directly addresses all three.”
New store alert with Crew Clothing Company location to open doors in Brighton, Churchill Square
Crew Clothing Company is gearing up to open a new store in Brighton (Churchill Square Shopping Centre).
In a LinkedIn post, Suzanne W., Group Head of Retail - South UK, said: "This is a really exciting one for me and quite close to my heart as it’s my home town and where my career started at the tender age of 16.”
“We will be looking for a full team to join us on this new journey, so vacancies are now live on our website. There’s some really exciting opportunities coming up across the brands as we continue to grow. So watch this space for much more of this over the next few months."
Candice Corrigan takes on Marketplace role at Lowe's Companies as retailer connects with Mirakl
Candice Corrigan is starting a new position as Lead Tech Programme Manager/Chief of Staff - Lowe’s Marketplace at Lowe's Companies.
She has worked at the US retail giant for six and a half years and moves up from the position of Senior Technology Programme Manager - Digital Communication Programmes & Internal Events. This role saw her driving visibility for Lowe's digital technology organisation, its leaders, and products through internal and external engagement.
Sarah Boest-Petersen joins Quorso as Product Marketing Lead to share vision of intelligent marketing
Quorso, a specialist in operations software for multi-store retailers, has appointed Sarah Boest-Petersen as Product Marketing Lead.
She joins from Milestone Systems, where she served as Product Marketing Manager.
In a LinkedIn post, she said: "Sometimes the best opportunities come when you least expect them. When Emily Laverick (Head of Marketing), who I've had the privilege to work with before, reached out about an incredible opportunity, I knew I had to hear more about what the team was doing at Quorso."
"The result: I've joined the team as the Product Marketing Lead! I couldn't be more excited to share the vision of intelligent management and get Quorso into the hands of retail leaders to drive real impact in their operations."
"After meeting the team in London and connecting with colleagues stateside this week, I'm already blown away by the talented people the Quorso founders have brought together. What really strikes me is how deeply this team understands the retail space: the real challenges, the day-to-day pressures, and what leaders actually need to succeed. I can already tell this is going to be an incredible journey, so stay tuned!"
TikTok Shop UK hits one million followers milestone with focus on fresh, authentic, engaging content
TikTok Shop UK this week hit a milestone: one million followers on TikTok.
In a LinkedIn post, Chloé Ann Wilkes, Social Media and Content Manager - TikTok (E-commerce), said: “It’s been incredible to see the growth since I started running the channel 11 months ago. From spotting trends and filming content, to editing, posting and engaging with the community, it has been a hands on journey that has taught me so much about what makes TikTok tick.”
She added: “A big thank you to the amazing brands who have sent product samples and invited me along to your TikTok Lives. Those unboxings, try-ons, brand collaborations and launch moments have been a huge part of keeping content fresh, authentic and engaging.”
“I’m excited to keep the momentum going Here’s to the next million, even more viral moments and connecting people with the products they love.”
Ben Grover talks AI deployment success as he joins East of England Co-op as Business Development Manager
Ben Grover has left Klipspringer to join East of England Co-op as Business Development Manager.
In a LinkedIn post, he said: “The end of my first week at East of England Co-op. A huge thank you to all my new colleagues for making me feel so welcome and for sharing their experience and knowledge with me. Some of what I’ve heard and learnt this week has been eye-opening, but one really stood out.”
He added: “In just one 24-hour period, Co-op Secure Response’s AI integrations cleared 117,000 alarms across various sites. That’s over 4,000 alarms every hour. Each of those cleared alarms removed the need for human intervention and with it, the potential for: Wasted resources; Operational downtime; Unnecessary hassle.”
“And that’s just one small example of how we’re proactively helping our partners prevent loss, reduce risk, and increase compliance. If you think there’s an opportunity to improve your security systems and streamline your operations, let’s have a chat.”
American Eagle Sydney Sweeney jeans campaign controversy powered by AI driven social media manipulation
Most recently, Dr. Phil McCraw weighed in with his take.
The TV personality appeared on an episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, which saw the titular host say: "Sydney Sweeney came out as - not came out - she was exposed as a Republican. And she has the big jeans ad that was controversial. And they reported this like it was a scandal, [that] she's a Republican. I just got to say this is not where I want America to go. It is not a slur that someone is a Republican."
"For people to go crazy over that ad [that says] 'she's got good genes,' and for them to say that's the equivalent of the Holocaust, is an absolute insult," McCraw added. "Six million people were killed. Six million Jews were massacred and murdered, and they equate that to a blue jeans ad for a Hollywood actress? What an insult."
He continued, "That is ridiculous. I'm gonna go out and buy those jeans for every woman in my family, everybody I know just to show support."
The backlash has been amplified by fake TikTok profiles, according to Cyabra research.
"What we found out about American Eagle Outfitters' Sydney Sweeney campaign is wild - 15% fake profiles, 77,000 engagements, 4,000% spike in negative sentiment in just seven days. The shift from positive buzz to full blown crisis happened in only 36 hours," says Dan Brahmy, Co-founder and CEO at Cyabra.
"The coordination, linguistic patterns, and posting velocity all point to one thing: this was powered by LLMs. This is what modern, AI driven manipulation looks like - fast, targeted, and devastating for brand reputation."
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