RTIH presents ten retail tech stories you might have missed over the Christmas break
It's Friday, the first weekend of 2026 is almost upon us, so let’s kick back and run through these retail technology stories that you might have missed over the festive period. Here's your briefing on the most important stories from the past couple of weeks, including Pets at Home, Asos, Sierra, Tesco, Mistral, Ocado Group, Currys, Stripe, Pennies, Subway, and Bloomingdale's.
1. Retailers ramp up AI investments amid need to overhaul legacy tech systems
A new report from law firm Eversheds Sutherland, in collaboration with Retail Economics, forecasts a surge in AI investment over the next five years which is set to reshape the UK retail landscape. This is already underway, particularly in e-commerce and digital experiences, contributing to the growth of online sales.
Research was undertaken by Retail Economics in Q3 2025. This included surveys of 250 retail businesses and economic modelling across five countries: France, Germany, United Arab Emirates, the UK and US.
Surveys were completed by roles in operations and human resources. It draws on annual national statistics, ILO Harmonized Microdata, and proprietary data to classify job numbers, wages and sales by country.
74.8% of retailers plan to ramp up their AI investments over the next five years, with more than half expecting a return on investment within just two years. Growth in sales per employee as a direct result of AI integration in job roles is projected to accelerate from 4% to 6% per year in the initial phase, to between 6% and 9% per year once AI matures.
Larger organisations (with turnover exceeding £500 million) and medium-sized firms (£100 million-£500 million) are leading the way here. This is driven by the need to overhaul legacy systems and upskill a broader workforce, ensuring AI strategies are seamlessly integrated across all business functions.
Additionally, budgets are significantly higher among online and hybrid retailers, up to 50% greater than those of traditional store-based retailers.
2. Former Waitrose Managing Director James Bailey set to take on CEO role at Pets at Home
Pets at Home Group has announced the appointment of James Bailey as Chief Executive Officer with effect from 30th March 2026.
He was most recently Managing Director at Waitrose, a position he held for over five years from April 2020. During his tenure, he presided over the relaunch of Waitrose.com after the company moved off the Ocado platform. Prior to that, he held a number of senior roles over 20 years at Sainsbury’s, including Grocery Buying Director.
On 18th September, Ian Burke was appointed Executive Chair pending the arrival of a permanent Chief Executive Officer. He will revert to the role of Non-Executive Chair upon Bailey’s arrival and will then focus his efforts on supporting him through the transition period.
3. Ocado Group ramps up retail technology sales plans as exclusivity deals come to an end
Ocado Group is gearing up for a renewed push to sell its technology worldwide as exclusivity deals with the majority of its global retail customers are switched off.
It is set to end mutual exclusivity contracts this year in most of the markets where its automation grocery tech is live, including in the US with Kroger.
Tim Steiner, Chief Executive at Ocado Group, says: “As we continue to support all of our partners to improve and grow their online businesses, we will also now bring the full range of Ocado’s AI powered and robotic solutions back to multiple markets.”
He adds: “In the five years since our first international customer fulfilment centres went live, we have substantially evolved our market leading solutions and broadened our offering to meet retailers wherever they are on their online journey. As we enter 2026, Ocado is well positioned to help more retailers capture market share in the world’s fastest growing grocery channel.”
4. JD Sports Fashion puts finishing touches to head office based retail tech innovation centre
JD Sports Fashion has completed work on a new technology innovation centre situated at its head office.
In a LinkedIn post, Matthew Amer, Head of IT Testing Services at JD Sports Fashion, said: "The final finishing touches to the JD Sports Head Office Technology Innovation Centre were completed on 19th December with the installation of the footwear display wall, creating a strong focal point for the space."
"But this wall is more than just visual impact - it’s fully functional. It serves as a picking, pricing, product, and stock look-up station, integrated with Zebra HHT and FOS screen capability via the store stockroom. Also, can be used for product ordered as commerce Click & Collect/pick from store."
He added: "This enables true end-to-end user journey testing, innovation possibilities and demonstrations - using physical products and test system interactions. The team has printed barcodes and allocated stock across our test environment stores, allowing them to showcase fully integrated, omnichannel retail journeys - from order and sale through to fulfilment. Capability is powerful. Go team!"
5. Chief Information Officer Dave Blankenship announces transition out of Subway
Dave Blankenship has announced his departure from Subway, where he spent five and a half years, joining from Marriott International as Chief Technology Officer before becoming Chief Information Officer in 2024.
A bio on Subway’s website notes that he has been “instrumental in advancing our technology pipeline, working closely with franchisees to deliver high performing technology solutions to help improve profitability and drive operational excellence in restaurants.”
In a LinkedIn post, Blankenship, who did not reveal his next move, said: "After more than five fantastic years, I have decided to transition out of Subway at the end of the year. It has been an incredible journey, and I am grateful to have worked alongside such talented teammates and dedicated franchisees who inspired me every day."
"Together, we made real progress by elevating the guest experience, strengthening operations, and moving the business forward in meaningful ways. I will always value the relationships, memories and lessons that shaped my time here, and I am excited to carry them into my next chapter."
He concluded: "Thank you to everyone who supported me along the way, especially the entire Subway technology team and our extraordinary leadership team. It was a privilege to lead and partner with such a committed and thoughtful group of people."
6. Kristen Miller takes on Head of Product and Technology Strategy role at Bloomingdale's
Bloomingdale's has appointed Kristen Miller at Head of Product & Technology Strategy. Her CV includes a stint at Neiman Marcus Group (VP, Product Management) and Stylyze (Co-founder/CEO).
In a LinkedIn post, he said: "I am excited to share that I have joined Bloomingdale's as Head of Product & Technology Strategy. This is a new role designed to support the business through product, leading a fully omnichannel team focused on executing strategy and driving innovation, agility and growth across every touchpoint."
"This is a transformational moment for luxury retail, and Bloomingdale’s specifically, as they deliver their mission to guide and inspire customers to make style a source of creative energy in their lives through new experiences, deepened relationships and evolving business models."
She concluded: "I am thrilled to be part of a team with a Customer First, Always mentality: committed to redefining the future of retail through technology, dreaming big to innovate and achieve desired outcomes while always keeping the customer at the centre. Huge thank you to Rachel Abeles and the leadership teams at Bloomingdale's and Macy’s for the vision and support for this role."
7. Currys to install thousands of Stripe payment terminals across retailer's UK and Ireland stores
Currys has announced a new partnership with Stripe. The retailer will install thousands of the FinTech giant’s payment terminals across its nearly 300 UK and Ireland stores.
The tie up and investment builds on Currys’ store transformation programme, which has seen colleague headsets and electronic shelf edge labelling roll-out across its estate.
Currys has also brokered a three way partnership with Stripe and Pennies, a UK micro-donation charity, bringing charitable giving prompts to Stripe terminals for the first time globally.
"This is about building the store of the future, today. Stripe's platform makes checkout faster, but more importantly, it gives us the flexibility to adopt innovations as they emerge,” says Andy Gamble, Chief Information & Transformation Officer, Currys
“We're already using AI to help customers find the right tech - now with Stripe's infrastructure, and partnerships with the likes of OpenAI, we can layer in new payment capabilities that work seamlessly with AI-assisted shopping and whatever else comes next. And the fact we can also make it easier for customers to support causes they care about? That's innovation that actually matters."
8. Asos reimagines customer experience with AI as online fashion retailer inks Sierra deal
Sierra, which builds AI agents for customer service operations, has announced a partnership with Asos.
"The global fashion powerhouse is reimagining customer experience with AI, and we couldn't be more excited to support their journey," Sierra said in an online post.
The startup, which was founded by former Salesforce co-CEO Bret Taylor, recently closed a $350 million funding round at a $10 billion valuation.
It says that its agents are already being used by “hundreds of millions of people” to help with tasks like refinancing homes, ordering lunch, delivering furniture, understanding insurance deductibles and fixing technology. Greenoaks led Sierra’s latest funding round.
9. Tesco Mistral tie up proves that retail AI success lies in focusing on everyday workflows
He was speaking in reaction to Tesco inking a three-year agreement with French startup Mistral AI, as part of a broader strategy to bolster the use of AI in the UK grocery giant's operations.
The partnership will give Tesco full access to the AI company’s commercial models, including any future developments, as well as its AI engineers. It includes a commitment for the two companies to work together through a new joint “AI lab” where Mistral AI and Tesco’s technology experts will co-create new generative AI solutions for different parts of the Tesco business.
The tie up will look at a range of areas, including content development and document drafting; speeding up data analysis to provide richer insights for colleagues; and developing new ways for colleagues to easily access information which they can use to help customers.
While competitors chase flashy AI demos, Tesco is focusing on embedding it into everyday workflows. That's the difference between a pilot project and actual transformation, observes Johnson.
"In my enterprise AI consulting work, I've watched countless retailers burn millions on AI initiatives that never make it past the proof of concept stage. The breakthrough always comes when leadership stops asking, What can AI do? and starts asking, How does AI fit into what we already do well?" he says.
"Tesco gets it - three years isn't just a contract timeline, it's a commitment to systematic integration. Most retailers want AI magic in 90 days. The smart ones plan for 90 weeks. The real question: Are you building AI solutions that require your team to change everything, or are you building AI that amplifies what they're already great at?"
10. First Watch adds MikMak CEO Rachel Tipograph to its board of directors
First Watch Restaurants, an American chain serving breakfast, brunch and lunch, has announced the appointment of Rachel Tipograph to its board of directors.
“We are pleased to welcome Rachel and we look forward to leaning on her deep expertise in digital transformation, customer acquisition and next-generation insights as we continue to scale the First Watch brand in new and innovative ways,” says Ralph Alvarez, Chairman of the board of directors.
Tipograph’s executive experience includes over 11 years serving as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer at MikMak, a commerce enablement and analytics software company. Prior to founding MikMak, Tipograph was Global Head of Digital and Social Media at Gap from 2011 to 2014.
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