Seismic shifts and milestone moments: 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 tech space. Here's your briefing on the most important stories from the past few days, including Alipay, Swap, ShopAgentic, VST, Co-op, Pricer, East of England Co-op, TCS, Quorso, Circle K, and Reckon.ai.

1. Milestone for Alipay Tap! solution as daily payment transactions hit 100m in China

Alipay reports that daily payment transactions through its Alipay Tap! solution have exceeded 100 million. It says that this reflects “the rapid rise of tap-based payments and access to everyday services in China”.

Launched in July 2024, Alipay Tap! combines QR code and NFC technologies so that people can make in-store payments by unlocking their phone and tapping it against a merchant terminal or Tap! tag – with no app launch, scanning, or extra steps required.

Since launch, more than 200 million Chinese consumers have used the offering, with 100 million new users added in four months. The service has proven especially popular among younger consumers, older adults, and people with visual impairments. International visitors can also link international debit or credit cards to Alipay and pay while traveling in China.

2. NewStore co-founders reunite for launch of ShopAgentic AI technology startup

Alexander Ringsdorff and Kai-Thomas Krause have announced the launch of agentic commerce system specialist ShopAgentic.

In a LinkedIn post, Ringsdorff said: "I’m beyond excited to announce a reunion that’s been years in the making: Kai-Thomas Krause is joining me as Co-Founder of ShopAgentic, the agentic commerce system."

"Kai and I actually started working together way back in 2010, when we were responsible for major Magento launches at Visions new media across Europe. From there, we co-founded CouchCommerce, which had a successful exit, and then, together with Stephan Schambach and an amazing team, we co-founded NewStore."

He concluded: "After a few years on different paths, Kai having brought his expertise to commercetools, we’re thrilled to be teaming up once more. This time, it’s an AI first company, and I couldn’t be happier to have such a trusted partner onboard. Stay tuned, the best is yet to come with ShopAgentic."

3. Former Sainsbury's Transformation Director Nigel Blunt lands at TCS

Nigel Blunt has stepped into the role of Managing Partner for the EMEA Retail Strategic Initiatives Consulting Practice at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).

Blunt spent almost eight years at Sainsbury’s, serving as the UK grocery giant’s Transformation Director. He has also worked at Argos, holding the role of Head of Operations Development.

In a LinkedIn post, he said: “In this position, I’ll be working closely with retail leaders across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa to shape strategic initiatives that drive transformation at scale. Our focus will be on enabling intelligent enterprises, modernising value chains, and unlocking growth through data, automation, and AI powered decision making.”

He added: “After years of leading transformation journeys and growing retail businesses globally, I’m thrilled to help drive innovation with such an impressive team. My focus will be on unlocking value across retail operations, from merchandising and marketing to supply chain, stores, and digital experiences.”

Retail is at a pivotal moment, Blunt believes, arguing that success will come from bold strategies, empowered teams, and technology led reinvention. “I’m looking forward to collaborating with visionary leaders to build what’s next for the industry.”

He concluded: “I’m deeply grateful for the hands on learning and diverse experiences I’ve gained working with retailers throughout my career. I look forward to building on that knowledge and sharing fresh perspectives with like minded retail leaders.”

4. Amazon veteran Satish Guddati heads to Dave Clark's supply chain technology startup Auger

Satish Guddati has left Amazon Web Services, where he spent over 17 years, to join Auger, a supply chain technology startup founded by former Amazon executive Dave Clark, as Principal Engineer.

In a LinkedIn post, he said: "After 17+ extraordinary years, I closed a deeply meaningful chapter at Amazon ast Friday. I joined Amazon in 2008, fresh out of school, and it’s hard to overstate how transformative that journey has been, both personally and professionally."

"Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work across a wide range of domains, learning, building and operating systems at massive scale and gaining perspectives that few early in their careers are fortunate to experience. Amazon gave me not just roles, but a foundation - a mindset of ownership, a culture of relentless innovation, and the confidence to take on big, ambiguous problems with clarity and purpose."

He added: "I’m profoundly grateful to the leaders, mentors, teammates, and partners who invested in me, challenged my thinking, trusted me with hard problems, and helped shape the engineer and leader I am today.”

“There are far too many people to thank individually in a single post, but you know who you are, and I hope you know how much of an impact you’ve had on me. The people and experiences at Amazon will always be a part of who I am, and I will miss working with all of you more than I can put into words."

At Auger, he will be working on building a supply chain operating system powered by AI and designed to bring simplicity, real-time insight, and automation to global logistics.

He concluded: "This felt like a natural next step - one that builds on my professional experience building distributed AI systems that scale for real-world operations. I’m incredibly excited to work with a world class team of builders and innovators at Auger, modernising supply chains so they are smarter, more efficient, and more resilient. I’m energised by the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to this vision."

5. Quorso teams with Circle K to deploy Intelligent Management in North America stores

Quorso has announced the expansion of its partnership with Circle K to over 7,800 locations in the United States and Canada after a deployment across its European network last year. 

Quorso says that its Intelligent Management platform eliminates the complexity and overwhelm of too much data, too many tasks, and too many systems.

“Building on the success of our prior roll-out in Europe and a successful pilot in North America, we’re pleased to expand Quorso across our US and Canadian networks,” says Hélène Drolet, Vice President of Operational Excellence, North America at Circle K.

“This powerful tool is helping our store managers save time, act on data driven insights, and identify opportunities that make the biggest difference for our customers and our business. We’re looking forward to Quorso helping our store teams to enhance the in-store experience, deliver on our commitment to be fast, friendly, and customer ready and, ultimately, unlock new growth for our business.”

6. CEO Rutger Planken makes it permanent at autonomous retail startup Reckon.ai

Reckon.ai has appointed Rutger Planken as CEO on a permanent basis following a three-month interim run.

This follows the departure of founders Ana Pinto (CEO) and Paulo Ribeiro (CTO).

Porto-based startup Reckon.ai says in an online post: “Rutger brings extensive experience and deep industry insight, having served as EVP & GM Europe at 365 Retail Markets, following a successful tenure at Unilever. We thank Ana and Paulo for their efforts in bringing Reckon.ai to life and look ahead to the next phase of growth.”

Planken commented: "The last few months were exciting and as entrepreneurial as can be. Porto fits like a glove and so does the wonderful group of people Reckon.ai consists of. I look forward to continuing the ride."

7. Infosys and AWS agree tie up that aims to boost enterprise adoption of generative AI

Infosys and Amazon Web Services have shaken hands on a deal to integrate the former’s AI platform Topaz with the latter’s generative AI powered assistant Amazon Q Developer.

The move, according to the pair, will enhance Infosys' internal operations and drive innovation for customers across sectors such as manufacturing, telecom, financial services, and consumer goods.

Infosys is tapping Topaz to drive AI powered enhancements across key functions, such as software development, HR, recruitment, sales, and vendor management. For example, in the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), the integration of Topaz with Amazon Q Developer enables automated documentation and provides tailored support for tasks like code generation, debugging, testing, and legacy code modernisation.

Sandeep Dutta, President, Amazon Web Services (AWS) India and South Asia, says: "Infosys is setting a new benchmark for enterprise transformation through the strategic adoption of generative AI at scale.”

“The combined strengths of Amazon Q and Infosys Topaz will help organisations innovate, achieve operational agility, and unlock differentiated value for their clients. Through this collaboration, Infosys and AWS are committed to delivering solutions rooted in technical excellence and tailored to address the unique demands of global industries."

8. Pricer partners with East of England Co-op in UK for first Avenue platform pilot

Pricer reports completion of its first pilot installation of Pricer Avenue, a communications platform delivering shelf-edge digital experiences, in partnership with East of England Co-op, a 120-store grocery retailer operating in the UK.

The pilot was deployed across high value in-store zones and builds on East of England Co-op’s use of Pricer electronic shelf labels (ESLs).

Pricer Avenue adds a larger format displays, powered shelf-edge layer that extends ESL functionality beyond pricing, with the aim of supporting clearer communication, more effective promotions, and richer in-aisle communication at the point of decision.

“Avenue is bringing new energy to our key promotional areas. It’s a big step toward delivering a store experience that’s ready for the future,” says Rob Smith, Technology Officer at East of England Co-op.

“The new shared Floating Canvas feature opens up fresh ways to talk to customers. It lets us highlight specific products, deliver rich brand storytelling and drive promotional engagement - right at the shelf edge.”

9. Co-op launches direct planogram data access for suppliers through VST platform

VST has announced a new partnership with Co-op to give the convenience retailer’s branded suppliers direct access to its planogram data through its Planogram Publisher platform.

This will be trialled for four weeks with five suppliers, and then rolled out across the Co-op supplier estate. It comes from the retailer’s newly formed Group Commercial and Logistics division.

“For years, planogram data has been an underused asset in retail,” says Nick Theodore, CEO and Founder, VST. “We’re excited to announce our launch of Planogram Publisher in partnership with Co-op. It’s a big step forward in making Co-op’s planogram data available to their most strategic CPG partners to unlock category growth across their stores.”

Tom Bradley, Commercial Director, Co-op, says: “As the leading UK convenience retailer, our aim is to run the best small shops providing quality products and great value for our members and customers, and to do that we need cutting edge processes and data access behind the shelf edge.”

“This new partnership will give brands direct sight of planogram data which will   remove friction, and create transparency, enabling smarter conversations and more agile execution.”

10. Global commerce operating system specialist Swap bags $100 million in Series C funding

Swap, whose system connects operations on one platform for e-commerce brands, has announced a $100 million Series C co-led by DST Global and ICONIQ.

"We have built an existing fleet of products that enable any brand to scale globally," says Sam Atkinson, Founder and CEO at Swap, which was founded in 2022. "Building upon this foundation of global commerce solutions, we will continue to help brands reach their full potential, levelling up on the promise to be the go to platform for brands to sell anywhere, anticipate intent, and convert more business."

The funding news comes six months after the company's Series B round, which raised $40 million led by ICONIQ to accelerate expansion into the US and EU and open new regions, including Australia and Canada. Swap also plans to enter underserved verticals such as beauty, home goods, and consumer technology.

“As a long time partner of Swap, we believe in their mission to become the go-to resource for commerce globally,” says Seth Pierrepont, General Partner at ICONIQ. “Our new investment doubles down on our belief that in today’s world, brands need sophisticated, end to end tools to optimise their operations. Swap is forging that path for brands of all sizes, and we are excited to be a part of it.”