Ikea lands in York and Ocado goes down memory lane: our most read retail technology articles from last week
Check out the most clicked RTIH articles from last week, including Yoti, Vista Technology Support, McDonald's, Walmart, Knit, Ocado Technology, Hightouch, Orderly, Wonder, and the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.
Introduction of UK Online Safety Act porn age checks results in 'crazy few days' for digital ID firm Yoti
Ofcom, which estimates about 14 million people watch online pornography in the UK, says the move will make it harder for children to stumble across harmful material online. Critics, however, have labelled it a draconian attack on a free and open internet.
Somewhat unsurprisingly, there has been a massive surge in VPN sign ups in recent days. Digital ID specialist Yoti is also seeing business boom.
New categories announced as RTIH Innovation Awards ramps up focus on automation and data analytics
The seventh edition of the RTIH Innovation Awards, sponsored by Vista Technology Support, 3D Cloud, EdTech Innovation Hub, and Retail Technology Show, is now open for entries.
The awards celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world. Check out our 2024 winners here.
And for 2025, we are introducing two new categories: Best Data Analytics Driven Retail Initiative and Best Use of Automation in the Retail Sector.
Best Data Analytics Driven Retail Initiative
This category shines a spotlight on innovative approaches to connecting, integrating and unifying data within retail organisations.
We’re looking for solutions that help retailers turn vast amounts of data into actionable strategies, whether through customer segmentation, demand forecasting, product optimisation, or real-time decision-making.
Entries should demonstrate how data analytics powered by cutting-edge technology solutions is helping retailers deliver measurable improvements across the business.
Download an entry form here.
Best Use of Automation in the Retail Sector
Many retailers are now embracing automation as they tackle various challenges and tap in to numerous opportunities across their businesses.
This award will highlight automation projects across the omnichannel landscape that have resulted in retailers rethinking their operations, resulting in improved productivity, enhanced customer experiences, and competitive advantages.
Download an entry form here.
We're hugely pleased to announce @VistaTechSup as Headline and Drinks Reception Sponsor at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards. Welcome onboard, guys! #RTIHAwards25 https://t.co/8GCmjjn4nQ pic.twitter.com/2LplgXg5jo
— RTIH Innovation Awards (@AwardsRtih) June 13, 2025
Vista Technology Support opens McTraining Centre as part of Engineering Centre of Excellence in Cardiff
Vista Technology Support has unveiled a new training facility, the McTraining Centre, a fully operational replica of a McDonald’s restaurant - minus the food and customers - designed to elevate the standard of engineering training across the business.
Located at Vista’s Head Engineering Centre of Excellence in Cardiff, this mirrors the technology and layout of a real McDonald’s restaurant. The facility enables engineers to train in a realistic, hands on setting, ensuring they are fully prepared to support the complex technology ecosystem found in modern quick service restaurants.
It was conceived by James Pepper, CEO at Vista. After a meeting with
McDonald’s colleagues and franchisees, the idea emerged to create a holistic restaurant environment for training. The feedback highlighted that, while the training was comprehensive, the technology was scattered across desks and shelves. This inspired the creation of a complete restaurant environment where engineers could interact with technology as it would be installed in an actual McDonald’s restaurant.
“We wanted to create a space that reflects the quality of training we deliver and the high standards our customers expect,” says Pepper. “The McTraining Centre brings that vision to life - offering our engineers the opportunity to work with the exact systems they’ll encounter in the field.”
Marc Lore's FoodTech startup Wonder now serving all of Manhattan and planting roots in Rosslyn, VA
Wonder, a food delivery and technology startup founded in 2018 and fronted by former Walmart U.S. eCommerce executive, Marc Lore, has opened its 55th and 56th locations in the US.
In a LinkedIn post, Tong Hoggett, who left Amazon and the position of SVP Worldwide Grocery stores to join Wonder as CEO, said: "We’re excited to share that we have officially opened two new locations - Wonder #55 in Washington Heights and Wonder #56 in Rosslyn - bringing our signature dishes and multi restaurant ordering to even more neighbourhoods."
"In Washington Heights, we kicked things off at 3780 Broadway with a festive ribbon cutting ceremony and an electrifying live dance performance by local favorite Fuerza Dance Studio. Down in Rosslyn, we partnered with the Rosslyn BID for a vibrant ribbon cutting ceremony and community celebration. Live music from the talented Benjamin Gates added energy and excitement to an unforgettable evening."
Ikea puts focus on smaller store format as retailer gears up to open first York physical location in August
Ikea has announced the upcoming opening on 29th August of a new Plan and Order Point store in Clifton Moor Retail Park, York. This marks a milestone as the retailer establishes its first presence in the city.
Plan and Order Points are smaller stores, designed to provide customers with bespoke kitchen and storage planning services.
Also on offer are collection areas for online orders, with customers able to return Ikea purchases to the store. In addition to planning services, customers can browse and purchase from a curated range of 100 home furnishing accessories, available for immediate takeaway.
The store will showcase 11 different kitchens and 10 PAX wardrobe solutions and an appliance studio. Customers will be able to drop-in or book an appointment to start their design with one of the six design specialists based in the store, part of the 12-strong York co-worker team.
AI powered consumer research platform Knit nabs $16.1m Series A co-led by Ashton Kutcher’s Sound Ventures
Knit, whose AI powered consumer research platform is used by brands like NASCAR, Amazon, Mars Wrigley, and Overtime, has raised $16.1 million in Series A funding. This was led by GFT Ventures and Ashton Kutcher’s Sound Ventures with continued participation from Silicon Road Ventures, Osage Ventures, Rise of the Rest, and others.
Notable angel investors such as David Kirk, former Chief Scientist at NVIDIA, and Gokul Rajaram, founding partner of Marathon Management, also took part.
“Today’s enterprise researchers are being asked to do more with less,” says Aneesh Dhawan, Co-Founder and CEO at Knit. “Knit empowers them to deliver fast, cost efficient insights without sacrificing quality or control. This funding accelerates our vision for a human + AI platform that makes research accessible, contextual, and decision ready.”
“Enterprise research is a massive market that’s ripe for AI disruption,” says Jeff Herbst, Founding Managing Partner at GFT Ventures. “Knit has built technology that truly meets the needs of modern research teams. Their traction with some of the world’s largest and most forward thinking brands, standout team, and clear vision for where this market is headed position them to lead the new era of enterprise insights.”
Ocado Technology takes trip down memory lane as it flags online shopping features that delivered the goods
Ocado Technology has taken to social media to highlight three online shopping features that have stood the test of time, offering up ‘before’ and ‘after’ app shots to show how its UX has progressed over the years.
In a LinkedIn post, the company said: "Fun fact: When the Ocado app launched, it was the first ever transactional shopping app in the UK. Beyond these look and feel tweaks, our e-commerce technology has been on quite a journey. We’ve run countless experiments - getting it right most of the time, and taking valuable learnings when things didn’t go to plan."
The three features that have stood the test of time:
1. Flash sales - Via the use of AI, products nearing end-of-life automatically turn into promotional offers at checkout. Ocado’s end-to-end platform, which connects supply chain, e-commerce and fulfilment, gives retailers the visibility to know exactly which products to discount to reduce waste and grow baskets.
2. Instant shop - Machine learning algorithms rank products based on ordering history. This means customers can build a new shop at the click of a button, instantly reordering frequently purchased items with ease.
3. Shops in shops - Building mini storefronts where retailers can run promotional campaigns directly from their webshops, to spotlight products and brands.
Ocado Technology concluded: "These features launched when online grocery was still in its infancy. 15 years later, they remain core to effective grocery e-commerce - a testament to both the ingenuity of our teams and an example of long-term product thinking."
Anchovies are a love ‘em or hate ‘em ingredients and@nigella_lawson loves them. Especially these ones on thickly-buttered bread. Watch to find out how she measures butter thickness – it’s 🤌
— Ocado (@Ocado) August 15, 2024
Tap below to add a tin to your next Ocado 👇https://t.co/9aEiXJg7QK pic.twitter.com/jma6kiM6CD
Walmart makes new hires for window of opportunity to apply AI and become more tech powered
Walmart has announced the creation of two new leadership roles with the goal of accelerating AI driven innovation across the business.
According to Doug McMillon, President and CEO at Walmart, the aim here is to “move smarter and faster, putting AI and world class product management and design at the centre of everything we do”.
“I’m excited to welcome Daniel Danker as EVP, AI Acceleration, Product and Design. In this new global role Daniel will accelerate our AI transformation and lead all product management and design across the enterprise,” he says.
“In addition, we’re also creating a new EVP, AI Platforms role reporting to Suresh Kumar (Global Chief Technology Officer and Chief Development Officer). This visionary role will help us build the future with AI, increase productivity, speed and innovation, own the AI platforms, and architect our intelligent systems stack to power our future.”
He concludes: “Artificial intelligence is changing how we work. I look forward to working with Daniel and seeing how these changes strengthen our business and improve experiences for our customers, members and fellow associates.”
Simon Shankster departs Focal Systems for VP of Business Development and Partnerships role at Orderly
Simon Shankster is starting a new role as Vice President of Business Development and Partnerships at Orderly, a UK-based platform for forecasting, stock and store execution.
He joins from 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards winner Focal Systems where he served as Vice President Sales & Customer Success EMA.
In a LinkedIn post, he said: "I'm incredibly grateful for my time at Focal Systems and the superb experiences, relationships and partnerships created, and for the fantastic opportunities that I was able to bring to life with retailers all over the world. A special thank you to the brilliant EMEA team at Focal."
"I'm really looking forward to this new chapter at Orderly, an amazing company with incredible people and a set of values to match, and proud to be a certified B-corporation. Since 2008, Orderly have been helping global food and retail businesses reduce waste, improve efficiency, and build more sustainable operations. By optimising everything from forecasting and ordering to inventory and task management, and I'm ready to start contributing to Orderly's continued success."
Data and agentic AI firm Hightouch lands investment from Snowflake Ventures and Capital One Ventures
Hightouch, a data and AI agent platform for marketers, has announced an undisclosed investment from Snowflake Ventures and Capital One Ventures. This extends an oversubscribed Series C round.
In 2024, Hightouch, whose clients include PetSmart and Cars.com, introduced what is pitched as the world’s first agentic AI product for lifecycle marketing called AI Decisioning.
“This investment is a major vote of confidence in our vision for AI-powered marketing,” says Tejas Manohar, Co-CEO and Co-Founder at Hightouch.
“We’ve seen incredible traction with AI Decisioning, and this investment enables us to scale faster, deliver even more value to customers, and continue reimagining how businesses personalise experiences through data and AI. The investment from Snowflake Ventures will also help accelerate the development of our joint solutions, further empowering our mutual customers to activate their data and enhance their marketing capabilities.”
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