Liverpool FC gets physical in London: our most read retail technology articles from last week
Check out our most clicked retail technology articles from last week, including Sainsbury's, Ocado Group, Wickes, Epsilon, Tesco Media, SportsShoes, Shopify, Ikea, Co-op Live, AiFi, and Boxbar Tech.
Sainsbury's announces job cuts amid move to maximise power of its data and retail technology
Sainsbury’s has announced plans to restructure its technology team and Argos delivery network, with the aim of creating more separation between the two businesses.
The move will involve the UK grocery giant cutting 300 head office jobs, most of which will be in technology and data, where it its “consolidating routine reporting tasks” and creating dedicated teams for Argos and Sainsbury's.
Local delivery hubs for Argos will be overhauled, with teams’ shifts being changed so they are working more regular hours with less overtime. There will also be changes to its store leadership, creating four new regional roles for the retailer's convenience stores.
Sainsbury's is moving into to the third year of a restructuring initiative, which it announced in February 2024 with plans to target £1 billion in cost savings.
A spokesperson said: "As we gear up for year three of our next level plan, we're strengthening our focus behind both Sainsbury's and Argos. By maximising the power of our data and technology, we're freeing up our teams to concentrate on what matters most - delivering great food, brilliant service and fantastic value for our customers."
Here's why Ocado is the most valuable technology play in grocery, retail and logistics right now
Ocado Group’s recent pivot to store-based automation (SBA), compact micro-fulfillment solutions attachable to stores, installable inside, or standalone, will see its valuation triple or quadruple in 2026-2027 from its current $2.2 billion price tag. That’s according to Brittain Ladd, a supply chain consultant and former Amazon executive.
In a LinkedIn post, Ladd said: “Ocado has no peer in end-to-end technology and software for online grocery fulfillment. SBA positions them perfectly for growth in immediacy, pick-up, and fast delivery addressing gaps in their massive CFC model.”
“Kroger needs a legitimate automated MFC solution. AutoStore is a potential solution. However, according to sources, Kroger will pilot SBA. If the pilot goes well, Kroger will likely become a major SBA customer of Ocado. I believe it can be argued that SBA will save the relationship with Ocado. AutoStore is the closest competitor, but it’s more of an industrial automation player with a 30 year-old cube-based design. Ocado is a true tech company. Big difference.”
For Ladd, a key (and often misunderstood) fact about MFCs and AutoStore is this: grocery retailers using AutoStore MFCs typically need to fulfill around 1,000,000 online orders annually per site to break even and deliver a positive ROI. Lower order volumes lead to underutilisation and poor returns.
If grocery retailers charged customers a delivery fee that covers most if not all of the actual cost for fulfilling and delivering groceries, achieving a positive ROI would be easier. This provides a strategic opportunity for Ocado.
Ladd added: “Ocado hasn’t specified exact SBA thresholds, but its capital light approach (with retailer paybacks as short as two years) suggests much lower hurdles than traditional MFCs to breaking even and generating a positive ROI. This makes SBA exceptionally valuable to retailers not just grocery retailers.”
“I’ve been a vocal critic of Ocado for lacking an MFC complement to their world class CFCs. CEO Tim Steiner’s decision to launch SBA is brilliant albeit long overdue. It sets up meaningful topline growth by opening a new market for Ocado.”
Ladd concluded: “Ocado is arguably the most valuable tech play in grocery, retail, and logistics right now. I’m confident Amazon, Kroger, Symbotic, Walmart, SoftBank Group Corp., and others are evaluating it for a possible acquisition. 2025 was tough. 2026 is when Ocado improves the relationship with its current customers, updates the software in its CFCs, and pilots SBA. 2027 is when Ocado accelerates its growth and positions itself to become a $20 billion+ company.”
Liverpool FC gears up to open on London's Oxford Street in May with launch of standalone retail store
Liverpool FC will open its first standalone retail store in London in May.
Located on Oxford Street, this will see LFC become the first Premier League club to establish a retail presence in one of the most iconic shopping destinations in the world.
It will be its eighth outlet in the UK and Ireland and forms part of a retail operation that now spans 23 official stores worldwide.
Lee Dwerryhouse, Senior Vice President of Merchandising at LFC, says: "Launching a store on Oxford Street is a significant milestone in our retail journey. Being part of one of the world's most recognised shopping destinations underlines the momentum behind our retail growth and allows us to connect with more fans in a truly iconic setting.”
"Building on a record breaking season, this move strengthens our ability to engage with supporters and deliver a best in class retail experience that reflects the ambition of Liverpool FC. Bringing the club to one of the world's most famous and dynamic shopping streets is something we're extremely proud of."
Tesco Media appoints former Walmart Connect exec Lauren Bolles as Chief Operations Officer
Tesco Media has announced the appointment of Lauren Bolles as Chief Operations Officer, a newly created role.
Tesco Media has recently focused on deepening its partnerships with CPG brands, strengthening its proposition, and building a distinct presence in the UK market. Bolles joins from Walmart Connect, where she served as Chief Operating Officer for the past four years.
In her new role, she will be responsible for strengthening Tesco Media’s end-to-end operating model, with the aim of helping CPG partners unlock greater impact from every pound invested and ensuring campaigns deliver stronger and more measurable results from insight to execution.
Tash Whitmey, Managing Director at Tesco Media, says: “Tesco Media has built real momentum in recent years becoming the ultimate media partner for brands of all sizes, and we’re proud of the partnerships and reputation we’ve established.”
“Lauren brings outstanding experience from one of the world’s most advanced retail media organisations and she will ensure we are operating at the scale and pace of our ambitions, so that we continue delivering exceptional value for brands, agencies and customers.”
Autonomous market goes live at Co-op Live arena powered by AiFi and Boxbar Tech solutions
Co-op Live, an indoor arena in Manchester, England, sited in the Etihad Campus next to the City of Manchester Stadium, has launched an autonomous market powered by AiFi’s spatial intelligence platform and Boxbar Tech’s self-serve beverage technology.
Built in partnership with Oak View Group (OVG), this has been engineered to maximise speed, throughput and convenience during peak event times. Located in Vertu Place on Level 00 inside Co-op Live, it features four entry gates and a frictionless checkout experience.
Pitched as Europe’s first fully frictionless, autonomous self-serve market, the location allows people to tap their card to enter, grab hot food, grab-and-go items and draught drinks from Boxbar Tech’s automated self-serve bar installation. There are queues, no tills, and no waiting.
Michalis Fragkiadakis, SVP of Hospitality Strategy, OVG International, says: “Co-op Live was designed to lead the way in how a modern arena can operate, and this new autonomous market is a powerful example of that ambition in action.”
“By integrating AiFi and Boxbar Tech’s technologies, we’re delivering a food and beverage experience that is faster, smarter and far more seamless for fans. It reflects Oak View Group’s commitment to redefining the standards of venue hospitality across all of our properties, and we’re proud to see Co-op Live setting the benchmark for what the future of service can look like.”
First for Ikea in Dundee, Scotland as omnichannel retailer opens new Plan and Order Point
Ikea will open the doors of its new Plan and Order Point in Dundee’s Kingsway West Retail Park on Thursday, 19th March, at 10am, marking its first ever presence in the city.
Plan and Order Points are smaller stores, designed to provide customers with bespoke kitchen and storage planning services. At these locations, customers can access in-depth home furnishing advice and expertise, assisting them in planning, purchasing and installing their ideal kitchens, bedroom and living room storage.
Customers in Dundee will be able to drop-in or book an appointment online to start their design with one of the design specialists based in the store, part of the eight-strong Dundee co-worker team. Products can then be ordered from across the full Ikea range for delivery direct to the customer’s home or to the Plan and Order Point for collection.
SportsShoes.com opens experiential flagship store in London powered by Shopify technology
In a LinkedIn post, Maissa Fatté, Enterprise Sales Northern Europe at Shopify, said: “Huge congrats to SportsShoes.com for the opening of House of SportsShoes - an incredible experiential flagship in the lead up to the London Marathon this April.”
She added: “The store operates as a digital first hub for runners, offering an amazing shoe range, a running lab for gait analysis, and a dedicated events floor for community, athlete sessions and brand activations.”
“Love the ‘no bags, no hassle’ concept where customers try products in-store and have them delivered to their home the next day! The store tills are powered by Shopify PoS, making the in-store purchase even more hassle free.”
Wickes launches home improvement focused retail media platform in conjunction with Epsilon
Wickes has announced the launch of Wickes Connected Retail Media, a new retail media network that goes live with both onsite and offsite capabilities.
Pitched as a first of its kind proposition in the home improvement category, this is designed to help brands connect with UK home improvement customers wherever they are browsing, researching or shopping for products. It has been developed in partnership with Epsilon and is powered by its COREid identity graph.
Gary Kibble, Chief Marketing and Digital Officer at Wickes, says: “We’re proud to launch Wickes Connected Retail Media in partnership with Epsilon, a major step forward for our business. This network makes it easier than ever for our customers to discover the brands and products that help them get their projects right.”
“From first time DIYers and design and installation customers to trade professionals managing multiple jobs each week, our shoppers have distinctive ways of researching, browsing and buying. We’re excited to see the impact this will have for brands and customers alike, connecting them at the moments that matter most.”
Continue reading…