Beauty blunders and campaign controversies: our most read retail tech articles from August
Check out our most clicked retail technology articles from August, including Holland & Barrett, Walmart, Space NK, McDonald's, American Eagle, Pinterest, Selfridges, and the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.
Vineta Bajaj departs Rohlik Group for CFO role at health and wellbeing retailer Holland & Barrett
Holland & Barrett reports that Vineta Bajaj is taking on the role of Group CFO in September, replacing Nick Allen who is leaving the retailer to pursue other opportunities.
Bajaj previously held the same position at Rohlik Group. a Pan European online grocer spanning five countries that has unicorn status.
She also spent ten years at Ocado Group, the FTSE 50 online grocer and technology provider, supporting its growth and strategic M&A, strategic divestments and fundraising over £1.5 billion.
“I’m thrilled to be joining Holland & Barrett at such an exciting moment in its journey.” says Bajaj.
“As the business accelerates its transformation to become a global, digital first wellness leader, I look forward to bringing my experience in omnichannel retail, e-commerce and AI and technology led growth to support its bold ambitions. It’s a fantastic brand with a powerful purpose in a sector that’s only growing in relevance and impact.”
Walmart sets sights on Gen Z and Gen Alpha as retailer introduces new immersive online storefronts
Walmart has launched a new series of immersive online storefronts, with a focus on cultural movements inspired by and shaping Gen Z and Gen Alpha.
In a LinkedIn post, Justin Breton, Head of Brand Partnerships & Emerging Experiences, said: "Over a year ago, we launched Walmart Realm, an immersive shopping experience blending culture, content, and commerce to facilitate product discovery and brand reappraisal. Since then, it’s connected millions of younger shoppers with creator curated products, interactive mini-games, and trend driven storytelling through this emerging medium."
He added: "We’re now introducing our boldest wave of new immersive storefronts yet, all rooted in the cultural movements inspired by and shaping Gen Z and Gen Alpha, as we redefine how they discover, connect, and shop with our brand online. We’re starting with the vibrant K-POP Era, followed by Lo-Fi Playing, Rodeo Dreams, Nature Breaks, and Group Woosah."
The move is in support of Walmart Delivers, the US retail giant's IRL mobile pop-ups bringing these social trends to cities nationwide where consumers can expect photo booths, customisable giveaways, and interactive zones that turn shopping into an event. On 2nd September, the Walmart Delivers K-POP pop-up will be at the BABYMONSTER concert in Chicago.
Just three weeks 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.
There are now just three weeks left to get your submissions in for the 2025 @RTIH_RetailTech Awards. Deadline for entries is Friday, 19th September. Winners to be announced at an event in Central London on Thursday, 16th October #RetailNews https://t.co/yx34T5cJr8
— RTIH Innovation Awards (@AwardsRtih) August 30, 2025
Daniel Danker talks innovative technology and first week at Walmart as he makes the jump from Instacart
Daniel Danker recently completed his first week as EVP, AI Acceleration, Product and Design at Walmart, having joined from Instacart.
“Wrapping up an exhilarating first week at Walmart, I'm even more optimistic and inspired to build the future together. Every chapter of my career has shown me this: breakthrough products are born from bold teams, and innovation starts with listening,” he says.
“One week into my Walmart journey, I’m even more energised by what’s possible. From our first All Hands - equal parts connection and candid Q&A - to signing up as a Spark Driver with my leadership team, I’ve had the chance to experience our tech not just on screens, but on pick walks and doorstep deliveries.”
Pinterest launches Thrift Shop allowing users to buy secondhand items on social media platform
Pinterest is launching Thrift Shop, a new shopping experience that makes vintage and secondhand items available to purchase directly on the platform.
Available from 20th August to 26th September, Thrift Shop is the first experience of its kind on Pinterest. It will partner with vintage and thrift retailers from across the world, creating weekly closet drops on the site.
The move comes as the company says more than half of its users are now members of Gen Z, with 66% of these turning to it for shopping. It also says clicks to advertisers from its platform have nearly quadrupled in the past two years.
Jon Nicholson exits Royal Mail after 11 year run and gears up for new challenge in parcel delivery sector
Jon Nicholson has left Royal Mail, where he spent the past almost 11 years, most recently serving as MD Sales, Marketing, Customer Experience & Digital.
In a LinkedIn post, he said: "After 10.5 brilliant years, it is time to leave Royal Mail. I have had the privilege of working with some of the best people in the industry, and under some phenomenal leadership."
"I've had amazing opportunities, and some really tough times too. I've learnt something new everyday, and been humbled by some awesome humans who just go above and beyond. There are simply too many people to thank here, but to all that I have worked with over the last decade - thank you! You have made it a pleasure and a privilege."
"But now is the time to move on, and so after a period of garden leave, I will be joining one of, if not the most, exciting company in the parcel delivery sector and I can't wait!"
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."
The recent @AEO controversy surrounding the Sydney Sweeney "Great Jeans" ad provides a strong lesson in crisis management at the age of disinformation:
— Cyabra (@TheCyabra) August 14, 2025
In just 72 hours, the campaign's initial excitement devolved into a full-blown backlash, marked by a 4,000% spike in negative… pic.twitter.com/CIbPq3tR5A
Beauty blunder? Space NK’s London Oxford Circus launch draws mixed reviews and long queues chaos
“It’s official, our biggest and best store opening on Oxford Circus was INSANE and it’s thanks to our incredible community,” Space NK announced on LinkedIn on 8th August, celebrating the launch of its largest ever store with a beauty playground, fragrance engraving station, and an exclusive Jellycat bag charm that sold out within hours.
The Oxford Street flagship had been heavily trailled on TikTok in the weeks leading up to its debut, with beauty fans counting down to what many hoped would be the ultimate shopping experience. And while the launch certainly generated buzz (and lengthy queues) the mood on social media after the event was far less unanimous.
Fortnite players offered chance to jump into nostalgic McDonaldland universe after 20 year hiatus
The magic kingdom filled with apple pie trees and hamburger patches, and home to characters like Ronald McDonald, Grimace, Birdie, Hamburglar, Mayor McCheese and the Fry Friends, was first introduced in commercials in the early 1970s.
“For the first time in decades, we are taking fans on a trip to McDonaldland with an immersive experience that taps into the past to create the future,” says Jennifer “JJ” Healan, the company’s US Marketing, Brand, Content and Culture. “It’s a chance for us to give fans a new, modern way to experience this magical world.”
US customers can take a trip down memory lane with the McDonaldland meal at participating restaurants starting this week, for a limited time. And Fornite fans can also get involved.
In a LinkedIn post, Ashley Lewis, Managing Director at Metavision, said: “Reimagined for a new generation, the multi-channel campaign spans TV, experiential, gaming, AR, VR, the McDonald's app and in-store; heroing a limited time McDonaldland meal and shake in the US.”
He added: “On Fortnite, we're giving players a chance to jump into the McDonaldland universe themselves, with action packed mini games alongside fan favourite characters like Ronald, Grimace, Birdie and Mayor McCheese. Expect nostalgia and a playground built for your inner child.”
Selfridges tries out 'smart, witty, charismatic' HYPERVSN AI Hologram Human at London Oxford Street store
HYPERVSN has deployed its AI Hologram Human solution at Selfridges' store in London's Oxford Street.
In a LInkedIn post, CEO and Founder Kiryl Chykeyuk, said: "She doesn’t sleep. She doesn’t eat. She never forgets a single product detail. Will AI assistants replace us humans - in airports, banks, telco, healthcare? Our AI Hologram Human at Selfridges London talks to over 100 people, every single day. No lunch breaks. No burnout. Just consistent 24/7 customer service."
"Fluent in 100+ languages. Always smiling. Always on. Some talk to her more than they would to a real person - no shyness, no judgement. And it feels so human. And fun - lots of fun! She can take on what humans can’t always cope with: endless repetition; 24/7 shifts; hundreds of questions a day.”
“Freeing people to do the things only we can do - e.g. creativity, complex decisions. She might be the easiest hire we’ve ever made. Smart. Witty. Charismatic. This is just the beginning."
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