Checkout free store flops and voice ordering firsts: 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 Vusion, RTS 2026, Just Eat UK, Co-op, VoCoVo, Aldi UK, Stadium, Exotec, Amazon, Zalando, and Nomagic.
1. Vusion, Duvo and PervasID among 2026 Retail Technology Show Innovation Awards finalists
Retail Technology Show (RTS) has revealed the shortlist for its 2026 Innovation Awards, which celebrate standout solutions from across the event, taking place next month in London.
Handpicked by a judging panel including retail influencer Andrew Busby, Retail Disrupted podcast host Natalie Berg, retail consultant Oliver Banks and IGD analyst Toby Pickard, the shortlist highlights solutions from across the RTS showfloor which track ahead of the hype curve.
Shortlist as follows:
Cloz (stand #K10): Agentic AI styling engine, Cloz curates shoppable looks based on intent and customer context to build confidence into fashion buying journeys. Integrated directly into retailers’ e-commerce platforms, it helps boost conversions and AOV while reducing returns.
Duvo (stand #SU21): Duvo is an AI workforce solution which streamlines retail operations, closing the gap and the information flow between systems to speed up execution.
Motorola Solutions (stand #Q20): Shortlisted for its Theatro Communication Platform, which digitally connects shop staff, area managers and retail leaders to enhance performance. The solution’s in-built voice assistant speeds up onboarding, as well as enhancing CX, improving workflows and supporting employee experience.
Ocasta (stand #E40): Frontline operations platform, Ocasta replaces guesswork with real-time knowledge and insight by connecting the head office with shop floor teams, delivering targeted operational communications to improve store performance.
PervasID (stand #P20): RFID solution PervasID’s TrackMaster 3X delivers near-100% item accuracy and 1-metre location accuracy in complex retail environments. It converts RFID data into actionable insights that increase sales, improve stock visibility, reduce shrink, and optimise omnichannel fulfilment.
ProGlove (stand #L38): Its AI powered wearable solution, MAI, is a hands free companion that supports frontline staff directly in their workflow. Featuring an integrated AI voice assistant, it improves efficiency, reduces errors and enhances safety in logistics, production and retail environments.
Retail Advantage (stand #W98): Retail intelligence platform, Retail Advantage Insights, uses data to improve performance and communication between brands and landlords. With accurate, real-time insights, it provides augmented analytics allowing brands to unlock greater value from their data.
Sony (stand #E45): Spatial Reality Display (SRD) technology from Sony delivers lifelike stereoscopic 3D without the need for glasses or headsets, redefining immersive visual displays. It also reduces reliance on printed or physical displays within VM, promoting more sustainable store and retail design practices.
Vusion (stand #P10): Selected for its EdgeSense AI operating system, which connects more than 250million endpoints globally, it uses ESLs, AI cameras and sensors to power one intelligent network. Vusion’s platform automates pricing, optimises merchandising, improves inventory accuracy and reduces shrink.
YOOBIC (stand #V10): The frontline employee experience platform was shortlisted for its YOOBIC Hub solution, which turns communication into execution by unifying knowledge, communities and tasks on one central system.
2. CTO and technology veteran Mike Sackman departs grocery retailer Coles Group and returns to UK
Coles Group’s Chief Technology Officer Mike Sackman is bidding farewell to the Australian grocery retailer after just one year in the role.
Coles’ Chief Operating Officer Matt Swindells has become acting CTO.
Sackman joined at in March of last year, having held CIO roles at UK retailers including John Lewis Partnership, Waitrose and Argos. He has also worked at B&Q and Kingfisher. It is understood that he is returning to his native UK.
A Coles spokesperson told RTIH: “Mike has bought decades of retail technology experience to Coles. Since joining us, he has helped shape our technology agenda in support of our 3D strategy, with a strong focus on practical outcomes for customers and our teams. This included supporting the roll-out of tools like ChatGPT Enterprise and Copilot to help make everyday tasks easier and improve the quality of work.”
They added: “He has improved our cyber security capability and awareness, strengthening how we protect customer and team member data, keep our stores and online running smoothly, and build trust in our business.”
3. Papa Johns taps AI powered Deliverect Smart Dispatch platform across its US restaurants
Deliverect has announced a partnership with Papa Johns that aims to modernise its delivery operations across the US.
In a LinkedIn post, Zhong Xu, Co-founder and CEO at Deliverect, said: “This is a massive milestone for us as we scale our AI powered Smart Dispatch platform to over +3,500 US restaurants with Papa Johns. This roll-out builds on the fantastic momentum we’ve already established powering Papa Johns in the UK, further solidifying our global partnership.”
He added: “With this addition, we now proudly power the top seven of the largest pizza chains in the world. By unifying in-house and third-party fulfillment into one intelligent hub, Papa Johns is prioritising a faster, more reliable experience for every customer. Huge thanks to the entire team for their trust in us.”
4. Just Eat UK connects with Amazon's new Alexa+ assistant to bring voice ordering to customers
Just Eat Takeaway.com in the UK has announced a collaboration with Alexa+, Amazon’s new generative AI powered voice assistant. Customers will be able to order from its 100,000 partner brands through any enabled Alexa+ device.
This builds on the launch of voice ordering within the Just Eat app. Amazon and Just Eat say they will work together in 2026 to bring the service to customers.
Mert Öztekin, Chief Technology Officer at Just Eat, comments: "Convenience matters to our customers, and providing them the option to order via Alexa enabled devices offers just that. Whether it’s asking Alexa to order your regular to arrive at dinner-time or finding out what’s on offer on your local high street - Alexa+ will unlock the very best of Just Eat for millions of customers.”
"The UK is home to some of the most engaged Alexa customers in the world, and we're excited to introduce them to Alexa+ - our next-generation AI assistant that's more conversational and capable than ever before," says Meryem Tom, Managing Director, UK and Ireland (Amazon).
"We're looking forward to bringing Just Eat to Alexa+, as we know it'll deliver real utility to our UK customers, whether they want to explore new cuisines or simply reorder their regular takeaway with a quick conversation."
5. Co-op boosts colleague communication and safety with latest VoCoVo headset technology
VoCoVo, a retail communications specialist, has announced a new five-year partnership with convenience retailer Co-op, which will see its Series 5 (S5) Pro Headsets deployed to more than 2,300 stores nationwide.
Following a pilot across 114 stores, full roll-out commenced in February and is expected to be concluded next year. Co-op has worked with VoCoVo since 2017 and is upgrading its existing headset devices as part of a long-term investment in its in-store technology.
By enabling instant communication within stores and with Co-op’s Support Centre, the retailer says that teams can respond more quickly to customer needs, whether answering enquiries or requests for assistance, checking stock availability, managing parcel collections or handling online orders.
6. JD.com takes people behind the scenes at Joybuy as online marketplace launches across Europe
Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com has launched its Joybuy online marketplace in the UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.
This is part of its move to internationalise its business, which also includes inking a deal to buy German electronics retailer Ceconomy, owner of the MediaMarkt and Saturn brands, for $2.52 billion. Offering on demand delivery and international brands, it is also an attempt to compete with Amazon in Europe and standout from other Chinese rivals such as AliExpress and Temu.
In a LinkedIn post, JD.com said: “This is a major milestone in our mission to bring a wide selection of quality, well known brands, delivered efficiently and quickly to our customers in Europe, who don't just want to buy, they want to Joybuy.”
It added: “What makes it possible? Our more than 20 years of experience in retail and logistics, invested in our network of warehouses and depots across Europe, and designed to process orders efficiently and move them quickly from our shelves to your door. In many areas, customers can enjoy our Double 11 delivery promise: Order before 11am → delivered before 11pm the same day; Order after 11am → delivered the next day.”
“From the moment a customer clicks “order” to the moment their box of joy arrives, our teams work to make the process smooth, fast, and dependable - bringing the joy back to online retail. We’re proud of the work happening behind the scenes and grateful to the teams making it all possible across Europe.”
7. The need for speed: here's why Amazon has no desire to stop at one hour online deliveries
Amazon is starting one-hour and three-hour deliveries in parts of the US, with Udit Madan, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Operations commenting this week: “Our customers are busier than ever and are looking for new ways to save time while keeping their households running.”
And the company has no intention of stopping there, observes Brittain Ladd, a supply chain consultant and former Amazon executive.
In a LinkedIn post, he said: “I like using the analogy of the battle of Dien Bien Phu in March 1954, between French and Vietminh forces, to describe what its like competing against Amazon. The shelling never stops. There is nowhere to hide. Amazon just keeps getting closer and taking market share.”
“Let me break the bad news first: Amazon has no desire to stop at one-hour deliveries. It has every intention of rolling out micro-fulfillment centres, Rivian vans with everyday essentials, and drones that will allow it to offer deliveries in 30 minutes.”
He added: “Yes, Walmart has 4,750 stores in the USA and 90% of the population is within ten miles of a Walmart store. Sounds daunting. It’s not. Amazon knows it can be within two to five miles of the majority of the US population. Advantage Amazon.
In addition to 30 minute deliveries, Amazon is collecting data from its delivery drivers by having them wear smart glasses. And it is using said data to train humanoid robots that will eventually ride on autonomous Rivian vans making deliveries of groceries and other products. The deliveries will happen 24/7 365 days per year, Ladd claims.
He commented: “The shelling never stops. Kroger is in a tough spot. It wasted billions building Ocado CFCs that can’t make deliveries in one to three hours. Kroger has no legitimate last mile delivery programme that can cost-effectively compete with Amazon today let alone two or three years from now. It could but it has to be willing to hire the right people, and make significant changes to its current operations to make it happen.”
“Walmart generates over 50% of its revenue from selling groceries. Imagine if Amazon takes 10% of Walmart’s market share? Or 20%? The shelling never stops. And Walmart is a big target. Albertsons, Ahold Delhaize USA, and the majority of other grocery retailers have no chance. They will default to using Instacart, DoorDash, and Uber Eats. They will quickly lose customers and market share.”
The company best prepared against Amazon is H-E-B, according to Ladd. “I supported the team that made the decision to select and install AutoStore MFCs in locations throughout Texas. Smart. Very smart. HEB has invested in infrastructure and other strategies. Amazon will find that shelling HEB is a losing strategy.”
He concluded: “Every grocery retailer who thinks they know what Amazon is going to do next is wrong. They have failed to understand that Amazon isn’t treating groceries like a category, they’re treating it like a war that needs to be won with tactics and deception. The shelling isn’t going to stop. It’s going to increase.”
8. Aldi UK ditches Greenwich, South East London Shop & Go checkout-free store experiment
Aldi UK is binning its checkout-free stores trial and converting its only Shop & Go location to a standard Aldi Local with self-service.
The store in Greenwich, South East London went live in 2022 at a time when checkout-free stores were being touted by many industry observers as the next big thing in retail. But the technology never really took off in the UK, with high profile failures including Amazon ditching its ambitious Just Walk Out technology powered Amazon Fresh experiment, just four years after the US online giant launched its first grocery store in London.
An Aldi spokesperson said: “Whilst our Shop & Go trial has now come to an end as planned, our Greenwich High Road store will remain open as an Aldi Local, ensuring customers can still get everything they need at unbeatable Aldi prices.”
9. Swedish sports retailer Stadium taps Exotec Skypod robotics system at Norrköping warehouse
Stadium has announced its investment in a new automated logistics centre in Norrköping, Sweden. The facility will be equipped with Exotec’s Skypod system and will be the company's first wholly owned distribution hub.
Skypod will be at the heart of the new warehouse, hosting over 240 autonomous robots that move in three dimensions, horizontally and vertically up to a height of 12 metres. With more than 170,000 storage locations, Stadium’s logistics centre will have the capacity to handle both large order peaks and long-term company growth.
Daniel Johansson, Supply Chain Director at Stadium, says: “We needed a solution that gives us full control over our store logistics and is flexible enough to grow with us. With Exotec's Skypod system, we can streamline deliveries to our stores and scale up capacity as the business grows.”
Construction of the centre is due to start in 2026 and represents a multi-million-pound investment for the sports retailer. The system is planned to be fully operational in the first quarter of 2028. Stadium is Exotec's first Swedish customer.
10. Zalando preps roll-out of 50 AI powered Nomagic robots across European fulfilment centres
Zalando is deploying up to 50 AI driven Nomagic robots across its European fulfilment network. The units, named Richard, specialise in item level picking, scanning, and induction into automated pocket sorters.
Using Nomagic’s AI and computer vision, the robots recognise materials and shapes to adjust their grip in real-time. By continuously learning and adapting to shifting inventory, the technology will play a key role in managing the vast, high rotation assortment of fashion and lifestyle products within Zalando’s fulfilment centres.
“The testing phase with Nomagic proved that their robotics are an excellent fit for Zalando's logistics centres. Following the quick and successful deployment of the first ten units, we have decided to scale our partnership, gradually rolling out more robots as our network evolves,” says Marcus Daute, Vice President Logistics Network at Zalando.
“The sheer scale of our operations demands smart automation that works with our people, not alongside them. By delegating simple processes to AI powered robots, we achieve the operational excellence our customers and business partners expect while supporting employees’ growth.”
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