Starring Vusion, Ecrebo, Asos, and Lazada: the biggest retail technology stories from February

February is done and dusted, March is up and running, so let’s kick back and reflect on another eventful month for the retail technology space. Here's your briefing on the most important stories from February, including JD Sports, Checkpoint Systems, Morrisons, RTS 2026, VenHub Global, Heineken, Uber, Manna, and the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

1. JD Sports inks multi-year global ItemOptix RFID technology deal with Checkpoint Systems

Checkpoint Systems has signed a multi‑year global agreement with JD Sports Fashion to deploy its ItemOptix RFID inventory management software across the retailer’s Sports Fashion Group stores, starting in Europe.

The tie up began with a pilot in the second half of 2024 in the UK, France and Spain across five stores and has scaled into a full SaaS roll-out. The initial phase will see more than 400 stores go live by the end of the year in the UK and Ireland, with the deployment expanding across Europe to reach nearly 1,000 stores by the end of 2026.

In parallel, Checkpoint’s DC tunnel solutions are now operational in JD Sports’ UK distribution centre, with installation at the Netherlands DC scheduled imminently.

Dan McGrath, JD Group Head of Customer Operations, says, “We are very excited to take our partnership with Checkpoint to the next level over the coming months and years ahead, and we thank them for their support and for everyone’s efforts to date as we start our RFID journey.”

“We are forming a partnership to span many years, and that needs to start on the right footing, and I firmly believe we have created that between us. Both sides have worked tirelessly and in very short timelines to get us to where we are today.”

2. 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards opens for entries with deadline for submissions Friday, 11th September

The eighth edition of the RTIH Innovation Awards is now open for entries. The awards celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our latest winners were revealed at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Thursday, 16th October

Key dates for 2026

Friday, 20th February: Awards open for entries

Friday, 11th September: Award entry deadline 

Tuesday, 15th September: 2026 finalists revealed

Wednesday, 16th September - Wednesday, 30th September: Judging days

Thursday, 15th October: Winners announced at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London

3. Pricer loses ESLs exclusivity agreement with Carrefour as retailer inks deal with Vusion

As part of its Carrefour 2030 plan, Carrefour is tapping Vusion’s platform as it looks to digitalise all of its hypermarkets and supermarkets in France by 2030. The partnership covers deployment of electronic shelf labels, smart rails, and AI driven cameras.

The deal sees Pricer lose its position as exclusive ESLs supplier to the retail giant.

In a press release, it said: “Today Carrrefour has decided to introduce an additional supplier for the sourcing of digital in-store solutions based on electronic shelf labels in France. In 2025 total sales to Carrefour was below 10% of our total net sales, and its contribution to our total gross profit was mid-single digit. The assessment for 2026 is that the contribution to Pricer total gross profit will be low single digit.”

“We look forward to continuing to build on our long lasting relationship, serving our large base of Carrefour stores, and supporting the growing base of franchise stores in Europe,” said Magnus Larsson, President and CEO at Pricer.

Meanwhile, Alexandre Bompard, Chairman and CEO at Carrefour, commented: “Carrefour 2030 is a growth plan that relies notably on accelerating tech and AI. By partnering with Vusion, a French technological champion with global reach, we are propelling our stores into a new era. The digitalisation of our shelves is the essential foundation for deploying our vision of modern retail, serving competitiveness, quality of life at work for our employees, and customer satisfaction.”

4. Morrisons taps Ecrebo platform to power real-time personalised engagement with shoppers

Ecrebo and Morrisons have announced a new partnership that aims to enhance personalised customer engagement, strengthen loyalty and deliver greater value to the UK grocery retailer’s shoppers.

The tie up will see Morrisons adopt the Ecrebo platform to improve how it communicates with customers at the Point of Sale and beyond, delivering tailored, relevant offers and communications in real-time.

"We are thrilled to partner with Morrisons to bring real-time, personalised engagement to millions of shoppers. By combining Morrisons' focus on customer value with our proven platform, we can help deliver more meaningful experiences at the moment they matter most - at checkout and post-purchase,” says David Buckingham, CEO at Ecrebo.

"Delivering value for our customers is at the heart of everything we do. This partnership with Ecrebo will help us build deeper connections with shoppers by providing more relevant, timely offers that enhance their experience and reward their loyalty,” says Matt Mclellan, CCO, Group Customer and Data Officer & Marketing Director at Morrisons.

5. Lazada RedMart Now service makes promise of groceries delivered within 30 minutes

Lazada, an e-commerce platform operating in Southeast Asia, has launched a speedy grocery delivery service within its RedMart supermarket arm.

In a LinkedIn post, Craig Massingham, Product Design Leader at Lazada, said: “RedMart Now is live! Groceries in as fast as 30 minutes. Most grocery trips aren’t planned. They happen when you realise you’re missing snacks before guests arrive, or essentials right before dinner. Those moments are driven by urgency, not weekly planning. That’s why we launched RedMart Now.”

Going live in select postcodes in Singapore, this builds on RedMart’s Express, two-hour, and six-hour delivery options. “Together, these services allow us to support a wider range of shopping missions; from planned stock ups to truly last minute needs,” said Massingham. “From a product and design perspective, this wasn’t just about speed. It was about expanding what RedMart represents.”

6. Milestone for smart store technology specialist VenHub Global as it begins trading on Nasdaq

VenHub Global has begun trading on the Nasdaq.

Shahan Ohanessian, Founder and CEO at VenHub, comments: “While it continues to evolve, the VenHub Smart Store is not a concept for what the future of retail can look like. Our Smart Stores are already deployed and serving communities and consumers."

"Our Nasdaq listing is more than a financial milestone, it is a statement of execution and readiness that will help unlock additional opportunities to further our growth as we bring VenHub's unique vision to the public markets.”

Ohanessian adds: “This moment belongs to every partner, every operator, and every city leader who sees the future of retail as faster, safer and more sustainable. We are just getting started, and we are committed to scaling responsibly while creating meaningful value for all of our constituents.”

7. Heineken raids Mars to brings in Romain Apert as company's new Chief Digital and Technology Officer

Heineken has appointed Romain Apert as Chief Digital & Technology Officer, and member of the executive team. Apert, currently Chief Information Officer Petcare at Mars, will succeed Ronald den Elzen, who is departing after a 31 year run with the company.

Dolf van den Brink, Chairman of the Executive Board/CEO, comments:  “I am delighted to welcome Romain to the family. He joins us with deep international experience leading large scale digital transformation, data and technology strategy, and complex change across global businesses.”

“Romain will be partnering across the executive team, advancing our EverGreen 2030 strategy through the further deployment of the company’s digital backbone, and scaling value from data and AI. He is known for combining operational rigour with practical innovation and a people centred leadership style, and is an excellent fit with the Heineken culture”.

Van den Brink adds: “Ronald retires after an extraordinary 31-year career across five countries in Europe and the Americas and across six distinct functions. His contributions to our success in the past three decades through his deep knowledge of the company and portfolio, his passion and incredible people skills, will be greatly missed. I wish Ronald all the best in his future endeavours.”

8. Ireland first as Uber connects with Manna for first European launch of drone delivery service

Uber Technologies and Manna have announced a partnership that will see Uber’s first European launch of drone deliveries.

Going live first in Ireland, the service integrates Manna’s autonomous drone delivery system with Uber’s platform and logistics experience.

The pair are aiming to expand this into more European cities going forward.

“Autonomous technology is shaping the future of delivery, whether it’s on the streets or in the skies. By combining Uber’s scale with Manna’s proven aerial expertise, we’re bringing fast, efficient and sustainable delivery to consumers and merchants alike. We’re proud to launch in Europe and excited to introduce this technology to more Uber Eats customers over time,” says an Uber spokesperson.

“This partnership with Uber marks a defining moment for drone delivery,” says Eoghan Huston Chief Operating Officer at Manna Air Delivery.

“Over the past seven years, we’ve proven that autonomous aerial logistics can operate safely, reliably and at scale in real communities. Integrating with Uber’s global platform allows us to bring that capability to more consumers, merchants and independent retailers, accelerating the shift toward faster, cleaner last mile delivery. Our focus remains simple: build the safest, fastest and most sustainable delivery infrastructure in the world.”

9. New Asos virtual try-on experience launches in partnership with AI fashion platform AIUTA

Asos is laying claim to a unique hybrid approach to virtual try-on that lets customers see how selected products could look on them by uploading their own image or choosing an AI generated virtual model that represents their likeness. 

This initially launches in partnership with AI fashion platform AIUTA with around 10,000 products on the Asos IOS app. The feature will be available to select UK and US customers before being rolled out more broadly. It is claimed that each experience loads in just four to sevent seconds, well ahead of typical industry solutions.

Melissa Lim, Head of Digital Product at Asos, says: “We know customers want the confidence of seeing how something will really look but don't want to be pushed into doing it one way. Our hybrid approach meets them where they are, giving everyone a try‑on option that feels right for them.”

10. Dragon’s Den investor and retail veteran Touker Suleyman joins RTS 2026 speaker line-up

Touker Suleyman has been confirmed as a headline speaker at Retail Technology Show (RTS) 2026, which will take place in London during April.

Suleyman brings more than 50 years’ experience across retail and is best known as the Founder of clothing manufacturer and brand owner, Low Profile Group, British menswear label Hawes & Curtis, and womenswear house Ghost. He joined Dragon’s Den in Series 13 and to date has pledged more than £3.8 million in investments during his ten years on the TV show.

Taking place at London’s ExCeL on 22nd–23rd April, RTS will bring more than 16,000 senior retail professionals together for its showcase of retail innovation.

Speaking on the Supernova Stage on day one at 2.35pm, Suleyman will join Customer Whisperer, Kate Hardcastle for a fireside chat drawing on his decades of experience building and scaling businesses, turning around underperforming brands and backing early-stage ventures.  The session will also explore the realities of retail growth, strategies for resilience and long-term value creation.