Including Power, Coach and Walmart: RTIH presents last week’s biggest retail technology plays at a glance

RTIH rounds up the stand out retail systems deals, launches, deployments and pilots from the past seven days. Including Asda, Microsoft, Bambuser, Uber Technologies, Aldi USA, Honeylove, Friendly Express, Rovertown, Carrefour Italy, Instacart, Steve Madden, and Albertsons Media Collective.

Walmart

Walmart is laying claim to being the first retailer to offer refrigerated and reconstituted prescription delivery, like insulin, GLP-1s, and pediatric amoxicillin, together with groceries and everyday essentials in a single online order. 

The service is now live. With this change, Walmart says it is now able to deliver more than 90% of pharmacy medications to customers.

“We continue to unlock new levels of convenience while also broadening access to critical medications,” says Kevin Host, Senior Vice President of Pharmacy at Walmart. “Adding refrigerated prescriptions to our pharmacy delivery capabilities is the result of listening to our customers, identifying where we can create even better, seamless experiences and keeping the communities we serve at the heart of what we do.”

CI Coop

Lobyco has secured a new multi-year partnership with the Channel Islands Co-operative Society (CI Coop).

This will see the introduction of a new membership app that combines rewards, tailored offers, and interactive features such as games.

Anders Mittag, Chief Commercial Officer at Lobyco, says: “We’re proud to partner with CI Coop, a retailer with strong roots in its communities and a clear focus on delivering value to its members. Together, we’re introducing a new loyalty app that goes well beyond traditional points and discounts.”

“With engaging features, we’re creating a more interactive and rewarding experience that strengthens the connection between the Coop and its members. This partnership is a great example of how we can combine local values with Lobyco’s expertise in digital engagement to make loyalty simple, fun, and impactful.”

Asda

Asda is expanding its partnership with Microsoft in what is pitched as one of the UK’s biggest retail tech deals to date, involving the use of Azure and Copilot.

Four years ago, Asda began separating from its former owner, Walmart. Project Future, as the programme became known, aimed to establish a best-of-breed “digital core” of specialist systems based on a cloud first strategy.

“We wanted world class partners to look after the digital core, so we could focus on what we’re really good at: retailing and using data to deliver propositions for customers,” says Matt Kelleher, Asda’s Chief Digital Officer.

“When you’re cloud first, you can flex, you can optimise, and you can trust your partners to customise, update, maintain and protect the systems. That’s a real advantage.”

“We’ve built an ecosystem of systems that helps us develop, manage, tune and change our propositions for customers. That might be products, our price position, our price architectures, our range assortments, or what we’re learning about customer trends.”

The Microsoft deal, which builds on a commercial relationship that began in 2022, sees Azure expand its role as Asda’s primary cloud platform, underpinning everything from data and analytics to security and integration.

Data analytics from Azure Databricks and Microsoft Fabric helps turn data from across the core platforms into the prices and deals it presents to customers, while Microsoft Defender provides security for the whole digital core.

Mowgli

Mowgli has announced an exclusive partnership with Uber Eats making the Indian cuisine specialist, founded by former barrister and TV chef, Nisha Katona, available for delivery for the first time in its ten year history.

Founded in Liverpool in 2014, Mowgli now has 27 restaurants. Until now, its dishes have only been available in said restaurants.

CEO Lucy Worth says: “Mowgli is about more than just food - it’s about togetherness, generosity, and the joy of sharing dishes that feel alive with flavour and soul. For years, our guests have asked when Mowgli would be available for delivery.”

“Today, thanks to our exclusive partnership with Uber Eats, we can finally bring that experience home. I am so proud that our guests across the UK will now be able to enjoy Mowgli wherever they are.”

Home Bargains

Home Bargains reports a milestone in the roll-out of its automated distribution centre at Omega, now servicing 200 stores across the UK.

The discount retailer says that this is intaking over 25,000 pallets of stock each week, picking and dispatching almost two million cases, equating to over 50,000 cages of stock, and over 1,000 store deliveries, weekly. More than 60% of all cases picked have been achieved through the fully automated area of the distribution centre.

Operations will continue to ramp up over the coming weeks, ahead of a short pause to focus on peak trade. This will resume in January 2026, with the Omega site on track to serve 312 stores by the end of January 2026.

Elkjøp

Elkjøp, a consumer electronics retailer in the Nordics (and part of Currys), has partnered with Two on its B2B payments and customer onboarding (KYB).

Two now powers Elkjøp’s standard solution for B2B purchases on invoice/net terms across Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland, as part of its broader payment suite.

After a roll-out in Sweden in April this year, it has launched across all four Nordic markets, complementing existing options such as card, Vipps MobilePay, bank transfer and leasing.  

Two integrates with Elkjøp’s existing instant onboarding flows, and adds features such as guest checkout for ad-hoc buyers, optimised credit limits, and more tailored payment options. Credit limits are optimised from day one and buyers can choose flexible invoice terms (14–60 days) or instalments up to 36 months.

Steve Madden

Steve Madden is using Fivetran to centralise its advertising, web traffic, and social engagement data from its global digital footprint. It says that the move enables it to streamline reporting, improve campaign performance, and gain faster insights across all channels. 

“With Fivetran, we’re building the foundation to act on insights faster than ever before,” says Josh Krepon, President, US Direct to Consumer & Global Digital at Steve Madden. “This agility allows us to anticipate market shifts, respond to trends in real time, and continually elevate how we engage our customers.” 

Steve Madden relies on Fivetran to integrate data from a wide range of platforms including Facebook Ads, Google Analytics 4, Facebook Pages, Google Search Console, TikTok Ads, LinkedIn Ads, Instagram Business, and Snapchat Ads.

The retailer also leverages Connector SDK to bring in custom data from additional platforms like Adform, ensuring all key performance data flows into its analytics environment automatically. 

Coop Group

Coop Group, a retailer in Switzerland, has expanded its deployment of Blue Yonder Category Management to also include Jumbo, Coop's chain of DIY superstores.

“Coop acts with a deep sense of responsibility towards its people, regions, and ecosystems, and we are committed to delivering both quality and a diverse range of brands and products we can be proud of,” says Alexander Senft, Head of IT Merchandise Management Masterdata, Coop.

“Category management excellence is vital for providing value to our customers, which is why we were excited to extend our collaboration with Blue Yonder and Strategix. Expanding the deployment of Blue Yonder Category Management to include Jumbo’s 125 points of sale underscores our dedication to innovation and focus on our demand-driven strategy, ensuring we continue to effectively meet the evolving needs of our customers." 

Coach

Coach has opened a Tabby bag pop-up shop at Shanghai Daimaru Mall in China. And it’s built with creators and fans of immersive experiences in mind.

In a LinkedIn post, Giovanni Zaccariello, SVP Global Visual Experience at Coach, said: “With this installation we celebrate our biggest icon, Tabby. Check out our 3D charms, a one of a kind co-creation bar, bold graphic video content and WeChat gamified Tabby experience. We love omnichannel activations. Congrats team.”

Power

Power has entered into a two-year partnership with interactive video shopping platform Bambuser.

The tie up launched with two interactive events: a co-branded show with Samsung tied to a product launch, and a back-to-school campaign featuring essential products for students and families.

In Power Live’s debut, viewers remained engaged for an average of seven minutes, more than half of them actively participated (50.8 engagement rate), and with more than 7,000 viewers joining a single broadcast.

Sven Erik Vaagenes, E-commerce Manager at Power, says: “What we see in our live shows is that people don’t just watch - they stay with us, ask questions, react, and interact. The energy is incredible, and the engagement is huge. It’s clear that this way of shopping really connects with people.”

Friendly Express

US convenience retailer Friendly Express, which has nearly 40 stores across Georgia, reports the launch of a redesigned mobile app.

“We have always been about putting our customers first,” says Gabe Manning, Director of Operations at Friendly Express. “Our new app helps us serve them better by combining the tools they expect, like mobile pay and delivery, with the experience and hospitality they’ve come to love in our stores.”

Built on the Rovertown platform, this brings together Friendly Express Rewards (powered by Velocity Logic), Express Debit (powered by PDI), and ordering and delivery (powered by Vroom Delivery) into one experience.

The SSE Arena, Belfast

The SSE Arena, Belfast has extended its collaboration with Global Payments.

The partnership began in 2022 and has seen the integration of Global Payments’ technology throughout the arena, spanning 15 concession units, the ground floor bar OFF ICE, and a variety of self-serve kiosks, including the Loaded Fries and Pizzarena stations.

With the introduction of Pay by Link, hospitality customers can now take advantage of prepayment facilities, eliminating the need for in-person transactions or storing card details by the merchant.

Most recently, the company has enabled transactions at the PAY & AWAY store - a frictionless, grab and go outlet powered by Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology and the first of its kind in a European indoor arena. 

1Rebel

Zoom Media has announced a partnership with 1Rebel, a UK fitness brand. This will see Zoom Media deploy its digital advertising platform across 1Rebel’s London fitness studios, delivering targeted content to its members and class participants on D6 screens, a smaller digital-out-of-home (OOH) format.  

“1Rebel is renowned for the brand they’ve built within the UK fitness scene, and are rightly protective of what goes into their studios. We’re proud to partner with a studio that shares our vision of premium, brand safe digital content. For boutique operators, our offering represents a new approach - a way to generate revenue while keeping control of the brand narrative,” says Ferne Langford, Partnership Group Director at Zoom Media.

Michelle Stoodley, Marketing Director at 1Rebel, says: “We’re excited to work with Zoom Media to open up our screens to their advertising partners, and enhance the content we’re sharing with our community.”

Wakefern Food Corp.

Wakefern Food Corp., a retailer owned cooperative in the United States, is set to implement Birdzi’s customer intelligence platform in a bid to better understand shopper needs and enhance promotional outreach.

“From the beginning, we were impressed by Birdzi’s best-in-class automation and personalisation capabilities and the company’s desire for constant innovation,” says Darren Caudill, Chief Sales Officer, Wakefern. “Working with Birdzi enables our supermarket banners to better respond to shopper needs as grocery retail enters an AI driven era.”

The pair are working together to enhance and scale the supermarket cooperative’s personalised marketing campaigns. Supporting banners that include ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace and The Fresh Grocer, Wakefern will utilise Visper, Birdzi’s AI driven personalised campaign engine, alongside the company’s shopper analytics and forecasting and planning capabilities.

Honeylove

Honeylove, a DTC women’s apparel startup founded by recording artist turned fashion designer Betsie Larkin, has teamed up with Frate Returns.

In a LinkedIn post, Bailey Newton, Co-founder and CEO at Frate Returns, said: “Honeylove has grown from a breakout shapewear startup into a powerhouse intimates brand with millions of customers and a rapidly expanding assortment that now includes bras, tops, bodysuits, sleep, and more.”

He added: “Their team is obsessed with delivering not just amazing products, but also an experience that makes customers feel valued at every step. That's why they switched to Frate. We'll help Honeylove tackle returns fraud, streamline exchanges, and most importantly, ensure their customers enjoy a smooth, hassle free returns process; matching the same level of care it puts into every garment.”

“We couldn't be more excited to team up with such a fast moving, innovative brand. Here's to delighting customers every step of the way and pushing the envelope on what's possible with returns.”

Fireaway Pizza

UK franchise, Fireaway Pizza, has announced a new partnership with Mollie. Through the agreement, Fireaway Pizza will consolidate all online and in-person payments across its 160+ restaurants in the UK and Ireland with Mollie’s unified payments platform.

The tie up is being delivered in partnership with Solutions4Delivery.

Branden Alexander, CCO at Fireaway Pizza, says: "With Mollie, we've consolidated our online and in-person payments across the Fireaway estate, achieving a significant time and cost saving for our franchisees. Mollie's unified system has provided us with greater insights, control and visibility across franchises."

Xpand and CAMPO Group

Xpand (formerly known as 1MRobotics) has announced the opening of its first European store in Vienna, the capital of Austria.

Located next to Mariahilferstraße, this is the result of a first collaboration with CAMPO Group, a robotics and AI automation platform provider.

It brings Xpand's “store-in-a-box” technology to consumers, offering a full convenience assortment of ambient, chilled, and frozen goods. Powered by AI, robotics, and real-time inventory management, the unmanned store promises frictionless, 24/7 shopping with zero labor and full loss prevention.

The opening follows a funding round led by Ibex Investors and Emerge, with participation from Xpand's leadership team, including CEO Joel Bar-El. The cash will support global expansion.

"Opening our first international store in Vienna marks a pivotal moment in our mission to make autonomous retail accessible worldwide," says Bar-El. "This store demonstrates how our AI driven technology transforms the retail experience while maximising operational efficiency."

Albertsons Media Collective

Albertsons Media Collective, the retail media arm of Albertsons Companies, has announced a partnership with Perion Network that gives advertisers the ability to activate against the retailer’s purchase-based first-party audiences across Perion's display and DOOH formats.    

The tie up enables advertisers to reach more than 100 million verified shoppers throughout the entire purchase journey - from on the go awareness near Albertsons Cos.’ over 2,200 store locations to online conversion, using localised offers and measurement tools.

“Our partnership brings together the three pillars marketers are demanding today: high quality audience data, engaging ad formats and measurable outcomes,” says Evan Hovorka, VP of Product Innovation at Albertsons Media Collective. “Together with Perion, we’re enabling advertisers to reach shoppers across the full journey from discovery to purchase with scale, impact and precision.”

Instacart

Instacart has launched new savings features for its AI powered Caper Carts.

Building on Caper Cart’s real-time budgeting capabilities, these updates add Electronic Benefits Transfer for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programme (EBT SNAP) item eligibility tracking, on-cart loyalty sign-up, omnichannel savings, and improved product recommendations.

“Caper Carts are transforming everyday grocery trips into a more affordable, rewarding, and personalised experience for customers. With the ability to track EBT SNAP eligibility, access digital coupons, and sign up for loyalty programmes directly on the cart, we’re giving customers powerful new ways to save right in the aisle,” says David McIntosh, Chief Connected Stores Officer at Instacart.

“Retailers are also seeing how Caper Carts drive omnichannel purchases, grow basket size, and strengthen loyalty. In just the last year, we’ve nearly tripled the number of stores with Caper Carts spanning nearly 100 cities across 15 states, underscoring the growing demand to bring digital convenience into the grocery aisles.”

Loblaw

Loblaw Advance is laying claiming to being the only retail media network in Canada integrated with LiveRamp, with the aim of unlocking new value for advertisers, agencies, and CPGs with first party data.

In a LinkedIn post, Lauren Steinberg, EVP, Chief Digital Officer at Loblaw Companies, said: “If you’re in the space, you already know this is a game-changer: Secure collaboration: Connect and activate 1P data without privacy worries. Deterministic measurement: Link exposure to real outcomes, not models; ROI clarity: Tie campaigns straight to sales and conversions; Walled garden transparency: Cut through the black box w/secure sharing; Future-proof Identity: RampID makes campaigns interoperable and cookieless-ready.

She added: “Truth be told, we launched a little while back but have been shipping so much, we forgot to hype it. But consider this the catch-up: Advance continues to lead the pack, giving advertisers a way to measure with confidence, collaborate securely, and gain transparency across platforms.”

Uber Technologies and Aldi USA

Uber Technologies and Aldi USA have teamed up to bring the latter’s selection of organic meats, fresh produce, gourmet cheeses, globally sourced wine, bread and bakery treats, seasonal items etc to the Uber Eats platform.

More than 2,500 Aldi locations nationwide are joining the app. Shoppers using SNAP-EBT can use their benefits through Uber Eats, making Aldi the first retailer on the app to accept SNAP payments nationwide from day one.

People in New York, Miami, and Chicago can visit pop-ups throughout the month of October for a chance to sample - and order for delivery - exclusive Aldi products before they hit shelves.

Carrefour Italy

Carrefour Italy is working with RELEX Solutions in a bid to enhance forecasting and replenishment across its network of approximately 1,200 stores, including proximity stores, supermarkets, hypermarkets, and seven logistics hubs.

This marks a shift away from a system based on customised tools and manual processes, which will facilitate consistent planning and timely decision-making. By adopting a unified platform, Carrefour says it will be able to streamline daily operations and gain greater visibility across the entire supply chain, with a particular focus on fresh products, where speed and accuracy are critical.

“Every day, we work to respond more quickly to our customers’ evolving needs, while striving to minimise waste,” says Alessandra Iacovelli, CIO | IT, Data, Security & Digital Transformation Director at Carrefour Italy.

“With RELEX, we are ready to further improve these processes, enhancing customer satisfaction across all our sales channels, increasing forecast accuracy, and optimising our replenishment operations. This tool also enables us to continue reducing our environmental impact, one of the four public benefit goals defined in our Benefit Corporation charter.”