Change at the top for AiFi: 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 Walmart, OpenAI, Tesco, Peoplesafe, Ralph Lauren, Instacart, Morrisons, Currys, Everlane, Shopify, Papa Johns, Office Depot, and GK Software.

1. Company veteran João Diogo Falcão steps into role of CEO at autonomous stores firm AiFi

Autonomous stores specialist, AiFi, reports a leadership transition, with CEO Steve Carlin transitioning back to his role as Venture Partner at one of its investors, Translink Capital. 

He will continue to support and advise the company.

“We’re deeply grateful for Steve’s leadership and proud of what the team has accomplished under his guidance: deploying more than 300+ autonomous stores worldwide, expanding partnerships with the likes of Microsoft, launching the world’s most innovative stadium in the Intuit Dome, and much more,” a company spokesperson said.

They added: “We’re equally excited to welcome our Co-founder and CTO, João Diogo Falcão, as our new CEO. JD has been with us from the beginning, building our technology, leading our teams, and shaping our vision. His appointment ensures continuity as we accelerate our mission to unlock the power of spatial intelligence for retailers, venues, and brands around the world.”

2. Walmart connects with OpenAI to bring AI training directly to frontline and office associates

Walmart has been announced as a launch partner for OpenAI's new Jobs Platform and OpenAI Certifications initiatives, alongside John Deere, BCG, Accenture, Indeed, Texas Association of Business, and Bay Area Council & State of Delaware.

Beginning next year, US frontline and office-based associates will be able to tap into AI training. Through the Walmart Academy programme, employees will have free access to a tailored version of the aforementioned certification.

"We know the future of retail won’t be defined by technology alone - it will be defined by people who know how to use it. By bringing AI training directly to our associates, we’re putting the most powerful technology of our time in their hands - giving them the skills to rewrite the playbook and shape the future of retail," says John Furner, CEO at Walmart US.

3. Tesco announces roll out of Peoplesafe app to support employees on their journey to and from work

Tesco is giving all its UK colleagues free access to a Peoplesafe app that can track their journeys and help them to raise the alarm if they don’t feel safe.

This follows feedback from employees who said they sometimes felt unsafe travelling to and from work. It helps address situations such as walking in an unfamiliar area late at night, facing aggression on the night bus or tube after a night out or using a private taxi alone.

By setting their destination and mode of transport before travelling, the app can automate welfare checks on their mobile to ensure they feel safe and allow them to raise an SOS alert if needed.

If they don’t arrive at their destination on time or fail to respond to messages asking if they feel safe, then the folks at Peoplesafe's control room will call to check they’re safe and can raise an alarm directly with local police if necessary. Once they arrive at their destination, the app automatically closes the tracing process.

Tesco does not receive any personal information about any colleague’s use of the app or any alarms raised. And it’s up to them if they want to sign up for it or not. They will have the option to allow their location to be tracked using GPS during journeys, which would enable help to be sent to the exact location quickly, in the event of an emergency, and would only be visible to the Peoplesafe control room.

4. 15-Minute Pickup Promise experience goes live at Office Depot and OfficeMax stores across the USA

Office Depot has announced the launch of its 15-Minute Pickup Promise, now available at Office Depot and OfficeMax stores across the US.

Customers can pick up qualifying online or mobile orders in-store or curbside in 15 minutes.

To use the service, they can place a qualifying order at officedepot.com or via the mobile app and select "In-Store or Curbside* Pickup" at least one hour before closing. If their order isn’t ready in 15 minutes, they’ll receive a $15 coupon for their next qualifying purchase within 72 hours.“

“We’re committed to providing the fastest and easiest shopping experience in the nation for our customers, whether they’re wrapping up back to school lists or running their own small business,” says Kevin Moffitt, President at Office Depot.

“Our 15-Minute Pickup Promise is designed to deliver convenience and peace of mind so that customers can get what they need - when they need it - and focus on what matters most.”

5. Ralph Lauren launches conversational shopping experience with Microsoft Azure OpenAI

Ralph Lauren has introduced Ask Ralph, an AI powered conversational shopping experience.

This serves up multiple, shoppable visual laydowns of complete outfits, personalised to a user’s prompts, from across available inventory within the Men’s and Women’s Polo Ralph Lauren brand. Ask Ralph begins rolling out this week to iPhone and Android app users in the US.

It was developed with Microsoft on its Azure OpenAI platform and uses conversational AI technology and natural language processing to understand open ended prompts, interpret context and provide tailored recommendations to closely mimic the experience of speaking with an in-store stylist.

“Twenty five years ago, we partnered with Microsoft to launch one of the fashion industry’s first e-commerce platforms, and today, we are once again redefining the shopping experience for the next generation,” says David Lauren, Chief Branding and Innovation Officer, Ralph Lauren Corporation.

“Whether you’re getting ready for a first day of a new job, or creating the perfect look for a night out, Ask Ralph is about more than just discovery - it is about engaging consumers with what they love most about Ralph Lauren: our iconic, unique take on style, providing timeless head-to-toe looks that inspire them to step into our world.

6. Instacart and Morrisons partner to bring AI powered Caper Cart smart trolleys to UK for first time

Instacart and Morrisons are teaming up to bring the former’s AI powered Caper Cart smart trolleys to the UK for the first time. These will become available starting in early 2026 at one initial Morrisons store, with the potential for a further roll-out.

Caper Carts let customers scan items as they shop, track their running total in real-time, and check-out.

The trolleys feature interactive screens, built-in scales, and AI powered sensors that guide customers through scanning and placing items directly into the basket, including weighing fresh produce directly in the trolley.

As items are scanned, it identifies them instantly, helping customers keep track of their spending and move through the store at their own pace. To complete their purchase, shoppers scan the barcode displayed on the trolley’s screen at the store’s self-checkout area.

For Morrisons customers, the smart trolleys will be integrated with the More Card loyalty programme.

7. Currys connects with Solum and Vestcom for electronic shelf edge labelling roll-out in its UK&I stores

Currys is investing in the roll-out of electronic shelf edge labels (ESEL) in its stores across the UK and Ireland.

Delivered in partnership with ESEL solution supplier Solum and Vestcom for data integration and software, the move forms part of Currys’ push to support colleagues in their day-to-day roles, while making it easier for its customers to shop.

The new ESELs replace traditional paper price tags with dynamic digital displays, offering customers real-time pricing, clearer product information and easy-to-scan QR codes for more information.

Behind the scenes, a centralised system enables pricing accuracy and consistency across all channels. This is currently available in over 150 stores, with full roll-out expected by 13th November. The investment was inspired by Elkjop3 in the Nordics, which already uses ESEL technology.

8. Fressnapf migrates 2,750+ stores across 15 European countries to cloud-based GK platform

The Fressnapf Group, a European supplier of pet supplies with over 2,750 stores in 15 European countries, is taking the next step in its digital transformation push as it migrates its store services to the cloud-based retail platform GK CLOUD4RETAIL.

Fressnapf has been using GK Software's store solution since 2013. It is increasingly focusing on all services for customers and employees in store operations and wants to rethink all digital touchpoints in its physical locations - from PoS, store merchandise management, and mobile consulting to the customer and employee experience.

“GK CLOUD4RETAIL's ability to combine the strengths of a reliable platform with modular extensions is a key success factor for us,” says Randy John, Vice President of Product Development Digital Store Solution at Fressnapf Holding.

“We want to offer our stores and employees a solution that supports them in all services: a stable, user-friendly, and reliable PoS system that can be constantly expanded with additional functions. GK has proven itself over many years as a reliable and innovative partner in the market and has once again demonstrated this in our demanding selection process.”

9. Barron McCann and Retail Assist report completion of UK wide project for Papa Johns across its stores

Papa Johns has partnered with Retail Assist and Barron McCann to review its UK wide IT support across more than 400 stores.

The technology overhaul was prompted by feedback from franchisees concerned about system reliability and the operational disruption caused by technical failures.

Retail Assist provides the helpdesk, operating seven days a week from 9am to midnight, while Barron McCann brings on the ground support with a four-hour turnaround for critical incidents to keep systems running and tills ticking.

10. American clothing retailer Everlane goes all in on Shopify as disruptor rethinks the rules of fashion

Everlane’s e-commerce store has gone live on Shopify, building on its use of the latter’s Shop Pay solution.

“What makes this moment special isn’t just the site. It’s the journey,” says Harley Finkelstein, Shopify President. “In his twenties, Michael Preysman left a career in investing to take on an industry he had no background in: fashion. He saw luxury retail marking up products 10x and believed consumers were too smart to keep paying for it.”

“So he started Everlane. No fashion experience. No retail stores. No interest in following the rules. Their first viral campaign broke down the true cost of a T-shirt - $6 to make, sold for $15. No middlemen. No outrageous markups. Just radical transparency. That idea spread fast: 60,000 people signed up for a waitlist, and almost every drop sold out.”

He adds: “From there, Everlane kept rethinking what a modern fashion brand could be. Expanding slowly, building vertically integrated supply chains, and evolving from online-only to physical retail when customers demanded it.”

“They were also the very first brand to use Shop Pay Commerce Components with Shopify. Now, they’ve gone all in. Their new site is stunning, 4.5x faster on Liquid than their old headless build, and makes it easier than ever for customers to discover and browse their incredible products.”