Tesco hits store cleaning automation roll-out milestone: 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 Instacart, Auchan Retail, shopreme, Amazon Now, M&S, Butlin's, Boxbar Tech, Homebase USA, Simbe, Morrisons, Instacart, Coach, and Starship Technologies.
1. Auchan Retail teams with shopreme for launch of AutoScan self-scanning feature in Club Alcampo app
Working with shopreme, Auchan Retail has launched AutoScan, a new service available in its Club Alcampo app that allows people to scan products with their mobile phone whilst moving around a store and then speeds up the checkout experience.
The service has begun to be implemented in around 40 Alcampo stores in the Community of Madrid, Catalonia and Castilla-La Mancha, and will be extended to the entire Spain network before the end of 2026.
To start, shoppers access AutoScan from the app when they arrive at the store and activate it using the available signage or geolocation. Then, it's time to scan each product before putting it in the basket or cart. At the end, they click on the payment option to generate a QR code and transfer the purchase to the checkouts enabled for this service. Team members are on hand to help if any issues arise.
2. Amazon Now on demand grocery delivery service lands in Manchester following London launch in H1 2026
Amazon Now, Amazon’s rapid delivery service, has launched in Manchester, promising thousands of groceries and household essentials in about 30 minutes or less. The move marks the first city outside of London to get the offering following go live in the capital earlier this year.
“Amazon Now brings a new level of speed and convenience to customers, delivering thousands of groceries and household essentials in less than 30 minutes," says John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager at Amazon. “It’s the latest example of our commitment to faster delivery, building on the millions of items we already deliver the same or next day to customers across the UK.”
Amazon Now uses a network of micro fulfilment centres that are positioned near residential and inner-city areas, with sites in Southwark, Bethnal Green, Battersea, Lewisham, Hampstead, Notting Hill, Haringey, Walthamstow and Wembley, alongside East Manchester, with sites in Salford and Stockport to follow in the coming weeks.
Customers in eligible Manchester postcodes can shop from the likes of everyday essentials like milk, eggs, fresh fruit and veg, toothpaste, pet treats, nappies, and medicines, alongside local favourites from Kellogg’s, PG Tips, and Warburtons.
3. Tesco completes initial phase of grocery retailer's ICE store cleaning automation roll-out
ICE recently announced a partnership with Tesco, launching autonomous cleaning robots across 600 Express stores. The pair said that this was the first deployment of this scale in the UK convenience sector. The initial phase of the roll-out has now been completed.
The machines are designed as "co-bots" to work alongside Tesco colleagues. By taking over routine floor cleaning, they free up time for the store teams to focus on serving customers. The technology promises a highly consistent, premium clean every single day, backed by data tracking and reporting.
In a LinkedIn post, Tabitha Gafencu, Project Manager - Stores Transformation and Operations Development at Tesco, said: "600 stores. One vision. Countless people behind the success. We've officially completed the initial phase of our 600-store cleaning automation roll-out - the largest deployment of its kind delivered in the UK to date."
She added: "A project of this scale and complexity is never about one team alone. It has taken the commitment, collaboration, and dedication of many stakeholders across the business, store colleagues, shift leaders, store managers, ICE engineers and suppliers to turn a shared vision into reality."
4. M&S rolls out electric trucks across its fashion, home and beauty logistics operations
M&S has announced the roll-out of ten new lower emission DAF XD electric trucks across its supply chain logistics fleet, including what is pitched as a first of its kind vehicle. As part of its Plan A roadmap to Net Zero by 2040, the retailer has committed to move to low carbon logistics, increased use of new technologies and cleaner fuels.
M&S is introducing new technologies to its fleet with a vehicle fitted with an integrated inverter that draws power from the vehicle’s main battery and converts it to supply the trailer’s refrigeration unit.
Developed through the eFREIGHT 2030 project, part of the UK government’s Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure programme, this marks the first deployment of this technology on a DAF truck in the UK and reduces the need for diesel powered refrigeration on chilled journeys.
The new vehicles build on M&S’ electric fleet expansion and join eight other zero tailpipe emission battery electric HGVs and five battery electric Rigids. Five of the new vehicles are now in service and a further five will enter operations this year.
Mick Pethard, Group Fleet Manager at M&S, says: “Adapting our logistics network is vital in achieving our Plan A Net Zero ambitions. We’re committed to reducing carbon emissions from our transport and, through collaboration with Gist and DAF, we are able to trial new technologies, reduce carbon, save energy and drive operational efficiencies across the business.”
5. Butlin's notches up a hospitality first as it deploys Boxbar automated self-serve bar technology
Butlin's has completed the roll-out of 119 automated self-serve bar terminals across its three UK resorts, becoming the world’s first holiday resort operator to introduce the Boxbar machines. This is pitched as the largest deployment of its kind anywhere in the world.
The installation spans entertainment venues at Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness. The aim is to increase bar service capacity all year round, maximise sales during peak trading periods, reduce queues and improve the guest experience. The 119-unit deployment spans Boxbar's full machine portfolio including Boxbar Mobile (2-Bank & 3-Bank), Container and fixed TapWall installations. By combining permanent and mobile formats, Butlin's says it can service a wide variety of indoor and outdoor venues whilst retaining the flexibility to support special events and changing guest demand.
The units can pour two drinks in as little as six seconds and serve a broad drinks menu, with 20 different products on offer across the Butlin’s portfolio. Across the three resorts, the deployment has the capability to dispense hundreds of drinks every minute. The technology has been integrated into Butlin's existing guest experience, including support for the resort's popular All Inclusive Drinks package.
6. Starship Technologies hit by lawsuit after woman claims serious injuries from delivery robot attack
A woman in Arizona, USA is suing autonomous delivery company Starship Technologies, claiming that one of its robots knocked her to the ground, resulting in serious injuries, including a spinal fracture.
According to an Arizona State University (ASU) Police Department report, 73 year old Trudy Perez was working as an attendant at an ASU parking garage in 2023 when the robot ran into her. A police officer found her laying on the ground and complaining of lower back pain and with a four inch cut on her left arm. She stated that, after knocking her over, the robot started to leave and then tried to back into her again.
Perez’s case is set for a jury trial early next year. Vrana Law Firm, which represents Perez, said that their client has “lifelong impairment,” due to the injuries she sustained.
Under Arizona law, businesses running autonomous delivery devices must maintain minimum liability coverage of $100,000 per unit, enforce reasonable safety precautions for pedestrians and ensure a human operator actively monitors each device.
RTIH has reached out to Starship Technologies for comment and will update this article as soon as we hear back from the company. It has provided investigators with video footage recorded by the robot
7. Morrisons notches up a first as it deploys Instacart AI powered smart trolleys in Preston store
Morrisons has launched Instacart’s Caper Cart smart trolleys at a Preston supermarket, marking North American firm Instacart’s first retail partnership in the UK for its AI powered solution. These automatically recognise items as they are placed in the trolley, including weighing fresh produce on the spot.
Customers can bag items as they shop, saving time throughout the trip and making checkout quicker and easier. The trolley's touchscreen displays a running basket total to help customers stay on budget, makes relevant product recommendations, and enables them to scan their Morrisons More Card to access loyalty savings and promotions throughout their shop. At the end of their trip, they scan the barcode displayed on the trolley's screen at a dedicated Caper checkout lane to complete payment.
"Caper smart trolleys represent a new era for in-store grocery shopping - one where the physical store is as intelligent and personalised as the best online experience," says David McIntosh, Chief Connected Stores Officer at Instacart. “Customers want technology that helps them stay on budget and discover products they love, and Caper smart trolleys deliver both, directly in the aisle. We're proud to bring this to the UK for the first time through our partnership with Morrisons, who share our belief that technology should make the weekly shop not just easier, but genuinely more enjoyable."
"Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and we're always looking for ways to make their weekly shop easier, more rewarding, and more enjoyable, to give them more reasons to shop at Morrisons," says Gordon Macpherson, Productivity Director at Morrisons. “Caper smart trolleys do exactly that, giving customers real-time visibility of their spending, instant access to their More Card savings, and a more seamless experience in the aisle. We're proud to be the first UK retailer to bring this technology to our customers, and we look forward to seeing how shoppers in Preston and across Lancashire respond to this innovative new trolley in this in-store trial.”
Caper Carts are now live in more than 100 cities across the US and Australia with the likes of Kroger, Wakefern Food Corp., Schnucks, and Coles.
8. American luxury fashion brand Coach expands its open access collaboration with The Sims 4
Coach is ramping up its open access tie up with The Sims 4 with the introduction of a new collection inspired by the brand's (Re)Loved initiative. Marking the second collaboration between the pair, Coach says that the launch continues its “exploration of gaming as a space for creativity, self-expression, and personal style”.
Available for free to all players through The Sims Marketplace, the collection introduces four new Coach items to Create-A-Sim: Repurposed Cotton Trench Coat; Coach Cardigan; Horse And Carriage Striped Rugby Polo; Repurposed Denim Mini Skirt. The new pieces invite players to express their personal style and tell creative stories through virtual fashion, while honouring the in-game universe with localised Simlish apparel.
The move builds on the Coach x The Sims 4 collection launched earlier this year, which introduced ready to wear styles, Tabby and Brooklyn bags, and the interactive Coach Trunk.
9. LOOOK.AI and Kiehl's launch smart mirror installations across UK, UAE, Singapore and Malaysia
Kiehl’s is expanding its smart mirror retail programme across UK, UAE, Singapore, Malaysia and China, marking the next phase of an international strategy to embed interactive technology permanently into its store environments.
The roll-out started in New York, where Kiehl’s partnered with spatial technology company LOOOK.AI to launch its first augmented reality storefront. Installations have since gone live at Westfield London (Ariel Way), Dubai Festival City in Dubai, and Singapore, Malaysia and China have been confirmed as the next markets for this initiative.
As shoppers approach, the display activates, using motion sensing and augmented visuals to pull them in. A facial scanning feature puts each visitor at the centre of the experience, turning what would otherwise be a static display into a personalised introduction to Kiehl’s skincare world. It is less about spectacle and more about creating a natural, low friction moment of discovery, the retailer says.
The installations are built as permanent retail infrastructure, intended to grow and evolve as the programme expands into further markets.
10. Homebase USA opts to deploy Simbe store intelligence technology chain wide following pilot success
Homebase USA is expanding its roll-out of the Tally robot and Simbe’s suite of solutions to stores across Texas, Wyoming, Kansas and Missouri following a pilot that reduced pricing errors by 92%, lowered controllable out-of-stocks by 58%, brought total out-of-stocks below 1%, and shortened annual physical inventories from three days to less than one.
Operating stores with extensive assortments across farm, ranch, building supplies, hardware, seasonal, and everyday essentials requires consistent execution at the shelf. For the rural communities and small towns that HomeBase serves, when an essential item is out of stock, the nearest alternative can be far away. With continuous visibility into shelf conditions, the retailer’s teams can identify and resolve issues before they affect customers. For shoppers in these markets, Tally will also be the first encounter with a robot.
"Strengthening how we operate across every store makes it even better to work and shop at HomeBase," says Joel McLiney, Owner and CEO at HomeBase. "Simbe helped our teams focus on what matters most each day, and the results gave us confidence to introduce Tally to all our stores in less than three months."
“Instead of spending time searching for problems, our teams start each day knowing exactly where to focus,” says Tim Blakesley, Store Manager at HomeBase. “That means more time helping customers and making life easier for associates.”
