Marks & Spencer doubles down on supply chain automation: 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 Carrefour, GS 1, Exotec, Southern Co-op, Snappy Shopper, Lidl GB, Amazon Now, Albertsons Companies, Fortnum & Mason, and Proximity.  

1. Warner Bros. Senior Director Christiana Hawes joins 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards judging panel

We're hugely pleased to announce the addition of Christiana Hawes, Senior Director Retail Experiences Technology, Worldwide Studio Tours & Retail, Warner Bros. Discovery to the judging panel for the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

Christiana is a senior technology and data leader with international experience leading large scale digital and back office transformations and innovation initiatives. She has a proven track record of building high performing teams, and delivering measurable business impact across complex organisations. 

Recognised for her strategic vision underpinned by expertise in disciplined execution, Christiana partners with stakeholders of all levels to drive growth, operational excellence, and technology advancement. 

She is passionate about harnessing new technology and data to unlock competitive advantage and position retail organisations for sustained success in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

Welcome aboard, Christiana!

Further information on our judging panel can be found here. In addition to Christiana, it includes representatives from Walmart, JD Sports, East of England Co-op, Boots, Holland & Barrett, PoundFun, Austen & Blake, and Gordon Ramsay Restaurants.

2. Carrefour deploys QR codes powered by GS1 across 50 of French retail giant's private label products

Carrefour reports that 50 of its private label products now feature QR codes powered by GS1.

The move builds on the French retail giant initially adopting the technology across its private label wine products.

“The barcode is 52 years (half a century!) of a system deeply rooted in the entire distribution chain. This is why cohabitation with 2D codes is a major transformation, far from being anecdotal for mass consumption,” says Miguel Ángel González Gisbert, Global and France Chief Digital Officer at Carrefour.

“The increase in possible data - from 13 characters to more than 4,000 - is not just a technical feat: it is an open door to concrete improvements for our customers, as well as for our employees in stores and logistics. At the level of a distributor like us, this lever has enabled us to anticipate regulatory changes, starting with wines and spirits, before extending to textiles and batteries.”

He adds: “Today we are taking a new step for our customers. Thanks to the great collaboration between the MDC and digital teams, 50 products from our own brands already have a QR code on their packaging. A little scan and hey presto, our customers discover everything: online purchase, product information and (soon) the history of the brand. It's easy transparency, without cluttering up our packaging.”

“This project is particularly close to my heart because it enhances our private labels. As a loyal customer, I am convinced that our private labels are among the best on the market, with nuggets such as Reflets de France. This brand embodies the richness of our terroirs with exceptional products such as Normandy shortbread, Espelette pepper pâté or Normandy Camembert. A real treat! These 50 or so references are only the first step in a profound transformation. The deployment of QR codes is intensifying in the coming months.”

3. Conor Crosland departs grocery tech firm StrongPoint for Director of Logistics & Automation role at Holland & Barrett

Conor Crosland has joined Holland & Barrett as Group Director of Logistics & Automation.

He joins from StrongPoint, where he spent almost two years, serving as Implementation Director. His CV also includes stints at TikTok and Amazon.

In a LinkedIn post, he said: "Holland & Barrett is a brand with huge reach and real purpose, and the opportunity to drive growth across their Operations and Supply Chain at scale is one I’m incredibly excited about. Lots to do, cant wait to get stuck in!"

He added: "I am incredibly proud of what our team at StrongPoint built together: strong year on year growth across a broad portfolio of store development, software and product, and automation solutions, helping retailers enhance both their in-store and e-commerce operations across the UK and Ireland. The pace of what this team delivered in the time we had is something I will carry with me."

4. M&S to buy former Asos automated fashion distribution centre as retailer looks to double online sales

M&S has announced a conditional £67.5 million deal to acquire a new 437,000 square foot fully automated fashion distribution centre in Lichfield, Staffordshire. The former Asos site will become operational as part of the retailer’s network in 2027. It will employ 600 people.

It says that this will add capacity and process orders quickly, helping to realise M&S’ long-term ambition to double the size of its online fashion business. 

M&S Managing Director for Fashion, Home and Beauty, John Lyttle, says: “As we transform M&S Fashion, Home and Beauty, our ambition is to double online sales. To achieve this and serve our customers faster, more efficiently and with better availability, our 24/7 distribution network needs more capacity.“

"We’ve always said that we’ll deliver our transformation with highly disciplined capital investment, always mindful of spending shareholder money wisely. This acquisition does just that, delivering tangible business benefits that move our transformation forward, at a much lower cost compared to a new build option.”

5. Warehouse robotics specialist Exotec teams with Korean fashion brand MUSINSA to power new automated warehouse

Exotec, a provider of warehouse robotics solutions, has announced a partnership with Korean fashion brand, MUSINSA. 

The collaboration marks Exotec’s first customer deployment in the Korean market and is pitched as an important milestone in the company’s expansion across the Asia-Pacific region. The project will support MUSINSA’s international growth as demand for K-fashion continues to rise. 

MUSINSA is an e-commerce platform and physical retail destination supporting independent Korean labels and luxury brands. Its logistics operations manage hundreds of thousands of SKUs, with inventory levels fluctuating significantly due to seasonal product launches and high-volume sales events. It required a highly flexible automation solution capable of handling SKU complexity, fast inventory turnover, and fluctuating peak demand, while maintaining fast and reliable omnichannel fulfilment. 

It selected Exotec to provide the core automation infrastructure for its new warehouse in Yeoju, South Korea, including the Skypod system and Deepsky warehouse execution software (WES). The solution features Exotec’s autonomous Skypod robots, which operate within storage racks up to 14 metres high and can access any SKU in two minutes or fewer. 

The modular design of the system also allows capacity to scale as volumes increase, without requiring a full system overhaul. Once fully deployed, MUSINSA expects to significantly increase picking speed and throughput, improve inventory visibility, and enhance labour efficiency - particularly during peak seasons - while establishing a future ready automation foundation to support its expanding business. 

6. Southern Co-op expands rapid delivery offering as convenience retailer announces Snappy Shopper partnership

Southern Co-op has announced a new partnership with Snappy Shopper, enabling customers across 140 stores to access rapid grocery delivery through a digital ordering experience.

Through Snappy Shopper’s Order Aggregation (OA) technology, Southern Co-op has also integrated with Foodhub, expanding customer access points and enabling a more connected and scalable e-commerce experience across multiple ordering channels.

Early performance indicators have demonstrated strong customer adoption and engagement, with an average order value of £28 alongside the launch of a rewards led promotional strategy designed to drive retention and repeat purchasing behaviour. Customer incentives include £17 in rewards, £2 off orders over £50, £5 off orders over £80 and £10 off orders over £120.

The initiative additionally incorporates scratchcard promotional mechanics aimed at increasing customer retention, driving repeat orders and enhancing overall customer engagement with the platform.

Greg Deacon, VP- Snappy Media, Groups and Business Development at Snappy Shopper, says: “Southern Co-op is a fantastic example of a community-focused retailer embracing digital convenience in a way that still keeps local stores at the centre of the customer experience.”

“This roll-out demonstrates how convenience retailers can use rapid delivery not only to drive additional sales, but also to strengthen customer loyalty through accessible, flexible shopping solutions. By combining rapid delivery with integrated ecommerce capabilities, retailers can expand customer reach while maintaining strong local connections within their communities. We’re proud to support Southern Co-op as it continues to evolve its ecommerce offering across such a significant store estate.”

Anuj Christi, Head of Store Operations at Southern Co-op, says: “Our stores are at the heart of the communities they serve, and this is about making it even easier for customers to access them in a way that fits around their day.”

“Whether it’s helping someone who can’t easily get to the shop, or simply saving time for busy households, this service builds on the different ways people can shop with us while keeping that important local connection. We’re delighted to be partnering with Snappy Shopper to bring home delivery to more customers across our communities.”

7. Amazon Now expands to dozens of cities across the US including Houston, Seattle, Atlanta, Denver and Orlando

Amazon has announced the roll-out of its on demand delivery service Amazon Now to dozens of cities and millions of customers across the US.

The offering, which provides thousands of fresh groceries, everyday household essentials, and locally relevant items in about 30 minutes or less, is now widely available in Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Philadelphia, and Seattle, and is expanding in several more cities including Austin, Houston, Minneapolis, Orlando, Phoenix, Denver, and Oklahoma City.

The company plans to expand the service to tens of millions of customers in these and other cities by the end of the year. 

"Amazon Now is for when you need or want the convenience of getting your Amazon order delivered in 30 minutes or less,” says Udit Madan, Senior Vice President, Amazon Worldwide Operations. “With thousands of items available for ultra-fast delivery, you can get everything from groceries for dinner, to AirPods before a flight, to household essentials like laundry detergent or toothpaste delivered right to your door. Amazon Now complements Amazon’s existing fast-delivery offerings, including one-hour and three-hour delivery on more than 90,000 products and same-day delivery on millions of items.”

8. Lidl GB announces launch of new surplus food redistribution trial in partnership with Neighbourly and Olio

Lidl GB has ramped up its partnership with Neighbourly, introducing a new trial with the food sharing app Olio to redistribute more surplus food. 

Managed by Neighbourly, the model introduces Olio’s Food Waste Hero network as an extra layer to support the discounter’s primary charity partners. Using the free Olio app, registered Food Waste Heroes collect items in the evenings, including chilled food, meat, fish, and poultry, alongside Lidl bakery goods, and share them with neighbours for free. 

Launching Friday 15th May across 20 stores in London and Northern England, the trial, if successful, is expected to redistribute more than 5,000 tonnes of food, the equivalent of 11.9 million meals, to those in need annually. With ambitions for a nationwide roll-out by the end of the year, the initiative is pitched as a critical step toward Lidl GB's target to reduce food waste by 70% by the end of FY2030. 

Matt Juden, Head of Sustainability at Lidl GB, says: “We believe that no good food should ever go to waste. While we have already made massive strides in reducing our surplus, this extension of our Neighbourly managed programme allows us to have even more impact. It ensures that we are reaching every corner of the communities we serve, making sure edible food stays on plates and out of the bin." 

9. Fortnum & Mason taps Proximity technology to power luxury retailer’s new Fortnum's Connect clienteling platform

British luxury retailer, Fortnum & Mason, has partnered with Proximity to launch Fortnum's Connect, a new clienteling platform.

This provides store teams with a real-time, centralised view of customer profiles, with the aim of helping them deliver more informed and personalised service on the shop floor.

Built on Proximity's clienteling technology, Fortnum's Connect gives retail teams instant access to customer insights including preferences, purchase history, and recommendations. The platform also supports: 1:1 communication via email, SMS, and WhatsApp; Customer preference and recommendation management; Appointment booking and in-store event management; Real-time reporting and analytics.

Cathy McCabe, CEO at Proximity, says: "Fortnum & Mason is one of the most recognisable names in British retail, with a heritage built on exceptional service and customer relationships. With Fortnum's Connect, we're giving store teams the tools and insights they need to deliver that experience consistently at scale. By bringing everything into one place, colleagues can focus on what matters most: building meaningful customer relationships and creating exceptional experiences."

Sean Ghouse, Director of UK Retail, Fortnum & Mason, says: "Exceptional customer service is part of our DNA at Fortnum & Mason, and it's something we've been extremely proud of throughout our history. But we can never stand still, which is why I'm delighted to be working with Proximity, and with their support we're launching Fortnum's Connect."

“It allows our customers to build a personal relationship with our teams in-store, and gives us the chance to enhance our existing levels of service. To connect and talk even more meaningfully to our customers in future, means that we can continue to know, and serve them brilliantly."

10. Albertsons Companies takes wraps off patent pending AI and computer vision powered supply chain tool

Albertsons Companies has announced the launch of its patent pending Intelligent Quality Control tool, an AI powered solution that uses computer vision to support distribution centre associates in maintaining quality and consistency of fresh fruits and vegetables across the company’s supply chain. 

Built in house by its technology and supply chain teams, the tool uses Google Cloud’s Gemini Enterprise, including Vision AI and Gemini models.

“We built the AI powered Intelligent Quality Control tool to support our team of talented quality inspectors in our distribution centres, and early results show it’s been incredibly helpful in increasing the consistency of quality rating which is crucial for highly perishable products such as fruits and vegetables,” says Evan Rainwater, EVP and Chief Supply Chain Officer at Albertsons Cos. “This is just the latest advancement in how we are using AI within our multi-billion-dollar supply chain to improve operational efficiencies, improve product quality and ultimately enhance customer satisfaction.”

Integrating into the distribution centre workflow, the quality inspector feeds an image of the produce into the AI tool, powered by Google Cloud’s Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform, which evaluates visual characteristics against Albertsons Cos.’s established quality standards. The system then provides an accurate, consistent rating and recommendation to the inspector for approval. 

Live now in select DCs, the tool is initially focused on quality inspections for strawberries and red and green grapes. The company is expanding the solution across the entire berry section with plans to scale the tool nationwide and incorporate more fresh products.