Amazon Just Walk Out hits France: 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 Hugo Boss, Currys, Ikea, McDonald's, Asda, NewStore, The Fragrance Shop, Uber Direct, and M&S.
1. Hugo Boss XP loyalty programme heads Stateside after UK, France, Germany and China launches
This integrates into the Hugo Boss app, combining traditional loyalty features like levels and points with Web3 elements.
Customers can collect and redeem tokens (NFTs) through purchases and interactions across various channels and with both brands. These tokens unlock exclusive products, unique brand experiences and special offers from Boss and Hugo or sponsoring and cooperation partners.
In a LinkedIn post, Jan Philipp Wintjes, Executive VP Global Omnichannel at Hugo Boss, said: “What makes XP different? It’s built for a truly omnichannel world: Familiar tier-based membership enhanced with Web3 and blockchain innovation; Frequent visitor tokens that reward in-store check-ins with exclusive access; One connected journey across online and offline touchpoints.”
He added: “For us, this is more than a loyalty programme, it’s a new era of engagement, designed to strengthen relationships, foster community, and set a global benchmark for customer experience.”
2. Currys connects with De'Longhi to craft coffee machine focused intuitive digital experience in stores
Currys has partnered with De'Longhi for an in-store campaign that aims to help customers find the right coffee machine for them, quickly and easily.
In a LinkedIn post, Naveen Sarvananthan, CI Technology Support Manager at Currys, said: “When you walk into any store, you're likely to see a wall of coffee machines with different models and different features, which can be overwhelming if you are not sure what you are looking for.”
“That is why we have teamed up with De'Longhi to simplify the process and help customers find the right machine for them, quickly and easily. We are really proud of the tech we’ve built into the new De’Longhi tables that are now rolling into stores. While the fixture design looks amazing (big credit to the wider team!), I wanted to shout about the tech experience that brings it to life.”
The aim here was to build something that’s simple, helpful and works easily. Motion sensors trigger the screen to grab attention of customers as they walk by. Dual located screens mean the experience is always in view, no matter where they approach from.
A help me choose experience involves people asking curated questions to narrow down the perfect coffee machine. Customers can explore the full De’Longhi range from Currys’ website, in-store. It also recommends matching accessories and gives a quick overview of who De’Longhi are.
3. Chief Digital and Technology Officer Rachel Higham departs M&S in wake of devastating cyber attack
M&S Chief Digital and Technology Officer Rachel Higham is leaving the retailer months after a cyber attack hit its systems at a cost of hundreds of millions of pounds.
Conducted by a group called Scattered Spider, this brought its online operations to a halt and resulted in empty shelves in stores.
A former WPP and BT Group executive, Higham was appointed by M&S in 2014. In an internal memo, it said she was "stepping back from her role…Rachel has been a steady hand and calm head at an extraordinary time for the business, and we wish her well for the future.”
At the time of the appointment, Stuart Machine, M&S Chief Executive, pictured below, said that Higham joining the business, along with Mark Lemming becoming International Managing Director, “reflected the importance of Digital & Technology and capital light International growth to the next phase of our transformation. As I set out at our recent Capital Markets Day, we have more to do in both of these areas and so much opportunity.”
4. Asda hits major milestone as Project Future sees food depots migrate to new SAP platform
Asda reports significant progress delivering Project Future - pitched as Europe’s largest systems implementation programme - which involves the separation of more than 2,500 systems from former owner Walmart and aims to lay the technological foundations for the grocery giant’s future growth. A recent milestone involved the retailer’s food depots.
In a LinkedIn post, Gemma McFarlane, Head of Portfolio - Supply Chain Systems at Asda, said: “After years of planning, problem solving, pivoting (and plenty of coffee), the Future Programme officially hit a major milestone last month.”
“We’ve successfully migrated integrations for 21 Food Depots from Walmart to our new SAP platform. The pace? Depot 1: October. Depot 2: January. Depot 3: April…then we hit full throttle and delivered 19 depots in just 15 weeks, including three in three days, which must be an industry first.”
Asda also converted the WMS of its electrical returns centre to Manhattan Active and integrated it to SAP, and did the same with the WMS of its general merchandise import centre.
5. The Fragrance Shop teams with Uber Direct to offer rapid delivery in time for Christmas
The Fragrance Shop has announced a new partnership with Uber Direct, Uber’s white label delivery solution, ahead of the Christmas gifting season.
From September, customers will be able to get rapid delivery of fragrances from top brands within 60 minutes of placing an order. Available through The Fragrance Shop’s website and app, the service will launch across all UK stores.
Powered by the same technology and courier network that supports Uber Eats, thus offers customers real-time tracking. Orders are shipped directly from local The Fragrance Shop stores.
The partnership marks the first stage of a wider collaboration between the pair. In the coming months the retailer plans to extend the service to the Uber Eats marketplace.
6. Comedian and actress Tiff Stevenson to host RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony
We're hugely pleased to announce that Tiff Stevenson will host the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, to be held at The HAC in Central London on Thursday, 16th October (with the event consisting of a drinks reception, three course meal and awards presentation).
Tiff is an award winning stand-up comedian, actress and writer.
She has taken five stand up shows to the Edinburgh Festival. Her 2017 Edinburgh Fringe show Bombshell received a slew of four and five star reviews, making it officially one of the top 20 best reviewed shows that year. She has just finished touring Bombshell nationwide.
TV credits include Russell Howard’s Stand Up Central (Comedy Central) The Apprentice: You’re Fired (BBC Two), Russell Howard’s Good News (BBC Two), Mock The Week (BBC Two), As Yet Untitled (Dave) Never Mind The Buzzcocks (BBC Two), Hey Ho Let’s Go (RTE), Absolute Power (BBC Two), Balls of Steel (Channel 4), Only Joking (Sky), Celebrity Deal Or No Deal (Channel 4), Live With Gabby (Five) and Show Me The Funny (ITV), performing in the live final at London’s Hammersmith Apollo to millions of viewers.
Tiff also features on Comedy Central’s new series Drunk History. As an actor, her credits include The Office (BBC Two) and regular roles on the BAFTA winning show People Just Do Nothing (BBC & Netflix) and Game Face (E4/Hulu).
7. Milestone for Amazon JWO tech as it launches in France with Flunch's Faim concept
Amazon reports the first ever launch of its Just Walk Out technology in France, pitched as an important milestone in its European expansion.
In an online post, the company says: "This technology revolutionises the shopping experience by enabling a frictionless customer journey, ideal for anyone seeking efficiency and speed. This launch in France marks a new milestone in our plan to expand this technology across Europe, in diverse environments such as restaurants, stadiums, cultural venues, airports, healthcare facilities, and university campuses."
Just Walk Out technology is installed in more than 290 points of sale in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. The first location to go live in France is Faim, a new restaurant concept developed by Flunch. Located on Rue Pierre Mauroy in Lille, this new 33 m² space opened its doors on 15th September.
8. VEJA enlists NewStore, SAP, Syntax to power footwear brand's unified commerce strategy
NewStore reports that VEJA, a French footwear brand, is now live on its Omnichannel PoS offering.
Initially launched in Denmark, Germany, and the United States, the roll-out will also extend to all of VEJA’s owned stores and department store concession locations across France, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
“We chose NewStore for its ability to modernise our store operations without disruption, while delivering the speed, reliability, and strategic guidance we needed,” says Davy Leroux, CIO at VEJA.
“Equally important was its integration with SAP, which gave us the flexibility to unify our retail systems. That combination enabled us to roll out a completely new PoS in just three months and lay the foundation for a truly unified retail experience.”
A critical component of this deployment is the integration between the NewStore platform and VEJA’s enterprise systems. VEJA uses SAP as its ERP backbone to manage merchandise and operations. With built in integration capabilities and support from Syntax, a SAP certified systems integrator, the NewStore Omnichannel PoS now connects to VEJA’s SAP environment.
This will enable real-time synchronisation of sales and inventory data across all channels, providing a single source of truth for the brand’s retail operations.
9. Das Dasgupta swaps Starbucks for McDonald's and Global Chief Data Analytics & AI Officer role
Das Dasgupta has been appointed by McDonald’s to the role of Global Chief Data Analytics & AI Officer.
He joins from Starbucks where he served as Chief Data & Analytics Officer.
Prior to that, he was Chief Data Officer at Saatchi & Saatchi, where he led data science operations and advanced analytics. His past experience includes leadership roles at Amazon, McKinsey, EY, and Viacom.
He is also an Adjunct Professor at USC Marshall School of Business, where he teaches MBA and MS courses in Advanced Analytics and Logistics. He holds dual Ph.D. degrees in Operations Research and Management Science from Penn State University.
10. Ikea Retail announces appointment of Burce Gültekin as its new Chief Data and Analytics Officer
Ingka Group has announced the appointment of Burce Gültekin as Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Ikea Retail, succeeding Francesco Marzoni.
She most recently served as Chief Information Officer and Chief Data & Analytics Officer at FrieslandCampina. Prior to that, she was Head of Data & Analytics and Customer Experience Manager at financial services company NN.
“By combining her expertise in analytics with the strategic scope of her new role, Burce will ensure that Ingka’s work on climate, circularity, and responsible growth is underpinned by actionable insights and innovation,” says Parag Parekh, Chief Digital Officer (CDO) at Ikea Retail (Ingka Group).
“Burce is known for her strategic vision, customer first mindset, and her ability to build trust across teams, qualities that will be central as she steps into this new leadership role.”
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