Hanshow reigns in Spain and Target announces AI first: 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 Ocado Group, Lotte Shopping, Amazon, AutoStore, Sainsbury's, Tesco F&F, Kroger, Supermercados El Jamón, and SPAR International.
1. Ocado launches first automated customer fulfilment centre with Lotte Shopping in South Korea
Ocado Group reports the launch of its first customer fulfilment centre (CFC) with Lotte Shopping in South Korea. Following a partnership deal inked in 2022, last year Lotte went live with the Ocado Smart Platform, fulfilling orders using Ocado's in-store fulfilment (ISF) software. And now the first automated CFC will serve a catchment covering four million households across Busan and the broader Yeongnam region.
It also introduces a number of innovations for the first time. These include the launch of Ocado's fully automated freezer (Auto-Freezer), bringing Ocado's proprietary 'hive and bot' automation into temperatures as low as -25° C. The site will also support dawn delivery, enabling freshly packed grocery orders to reach customers’ homes before 7am.
It is also expected to be the most environmentally efficient Ocado CFC in the world, supporting a 100% electric vehicle fleet for daytime deliveries and operating more energy efficient 3D printed bots, with multi-temperature totes to maximise storage density for delivery. The widespread installation of solar panels will reduce annual carbon emissions by over 1,000 tonnes, those involved claim.
2. AutoStore announces deal with Amazon to supply automation technology products and solutions
There has been a lot of chatter this year about AutoStore and Amazon, the result of a jobs posting by the latter seeking staff with experience of the former. And now we have an official announcement.
The pair have shaken hands on an agreement that establishes a framework for the supply of AutoStore’s products and solutions to Amazon on a global basis. Whilst the agreement defines the terms for further procurement of AutoStore systems by Amazon, it does not contain any purchasing commitments at this time, a press release notes.
While this will no doubt boost AutoStore's share price, it should be noted that Amazon has announced similar agreements in the past, for example with Balyo, which did not result in significant sales. Balyo was taken private in 2026 by SoftBank Group Corp. which also remains a significant shareholder in AutoStore (and various others).
3. Barron McCann lands retail technology support contract with Entain for Ladbrookes and Coral estates
Barron McCann, a specialist in retail technology services, has secured a three-year contract with FTSE 100 sports betting and gaming giant Entain. The deal will see it deliver multi-device engineering support and lifecycle infrastructure services across Entain’s UK high street retail estate, operating under the Ladbrokes and Coral banners.
It covers over 2,000 retail locations nationwide, supporting key constituent parts of Entain’s digital shop floor layout. This includes full seven days a week engineering coverage with extended operating hours and a four-hour hardware fix guarantee. Barron McCann landed the tie up following an extensive commercial tender process involving a large consideration set of major IT manufacturers and service providers.
Entain says its evaluation panel was particularly impressed by the company’s specialised workshop capabilities, engineering innovation, and value- ocused approach to circular asset management. Barron McCann’s workshop and re-life facilities provide sustainable component level repairs, utilising technologies such as custom 3D printing for legacy OEM parts. This capability allows it to build an independent, robust repair supply chain for original equipment manufacturer hardware, mitigating the need for costly complete terminal replacements while reducing total cost of ownership.
4. Hanshow partners with Supermercados El Jamón to advance in-store digitalisation efforts
Supermercados El Jamón has selected Hanshow's electronic shelf label (ESL) solution to support the next phase of its in-store digital transformation push. The initiative includes the installation of nearly three million ESLs across its store network in southern Spain over the next three years.
A Hanshow spokesperson says: “With more than 370 supermarkets and celebrating its 60 years of history, Supermercados El Jamón is a well established food retailer with deep roots in the communities it serves. As the business continues to grow, it remains focused on creating store environments that work better for both customers and in-store teams.”
They add: “With this project, Supermercados El Jamón reaffirms its commitment to a modern, efficient, and sustainable supermarket model, where technological innovation is put at the service of people. Thank you to the team for their trust and collaboration. We look forward to continuing to support them on their journey ahead.”
5. Just Eat rolls out AI voice assistant across Europe building on UK and Germany launches
Just Eat has launched its AI voice assistant solution across Europe. It is laying claim to being the first major on-demand delivery platform to deploy a conversational AI assistant at scale across European markets.
Rolled out in the UK and Germany earlier this year, and available on both iOS and Android, this is designed to help customers discover local restaurants, grocers and shops through natural conversation, making it easier to explore new options when they aren't quite sure what they fancy.
Early data from the UK launch shows customers using Voice AI are able to find what they're looking for around 40% faster than those using the text only AI assistant. They are also 30% more likely to choose a recommended restaurant or dish than customers browsing through the traditional search experience.
Jörg Gerbig, Chief Corporate Development Officer at Just Eat, says: "The biggest challenge in food delivery today isn't finding restaurants. It's deciding. Every evening, millions of people ask themselves the same question: 'What do I feel like eating?' Our AI voice assistant removes the friction from ordering, letting customers describe what they want in their own words, just like talking to a friend. The future of convenience isn't about giving people more choices. It's about giving them the right choice."
6. Milestone for Quail Digital as SPAR International picks retail headsets firm as preferred supplier
SPAR International has appointed Quail Digital as a preferred international supplier following the roll-out of more than 3,000 retail headsets across over 500 SPAR stores throughout the UK and Ireland.
The deployment represents almost one in five of the approximately 2,700 SPAR stores operating across the two markets, making it one of the largest retail communication headset roll-outs in the UK convenience sector, according to Quail Digital.
Store teams use the digital communication system to coordinate replenishment, respond to customer requests, improve communication between colleagues and support day-to-day store operations. Quail Digital estimates colleagues now exchange thousands of communications each day using the headset system across the SPAR network.
Tom Downes, Founder and CEO at Quail Digital, says: “Communication underpins almost every activity that takes place inside a supermarket, yet many retailers are still relying on systems that were never designed for today's retail environment. Being recognised as a SPAR international preferred supplier is an important milestone for us. It reflects the success we've achieved working alongside SPAR retailers across the UK and Ireland and demonstrates the value better communication can bring to store operations. The best communication is the communication nobody has to think about. When technology simply works, colleagues can focus on serving customers, supporting one another and keeping the store running smoothly.”
Dave Pickford from James Hall & Co. Ltd, a primary wholesaler and distributor for SPAR across the North of England, says: “There has been a great improvement to store efficiency. If we were to take away the headsets now, our employees wouldn't be happy. It's been a great success.”
7. Target raids Lowe's Companies to bring in Chandhu Nair as its first ever Chief AI Officer
Chandhu Nair is joining Target as Chief AI Officer, following a six and a half year stint at Lowe’s Companies (where he most recently served as Senior Vice President - Stores, Data, AI & Innovation).
In a LinkedIn post, he said: “This weekend, while spending some time in New York with my boys, we stopped by Target’s SoHo store. Watching them explore - and seeing one of them immediately gravitate toward Bullseye - was a small but meaningful reminder of what makes retail special. The brands we build become part of people’s everyday lives, their families, and their experiences.”
He added: “I’ve always believed that some of the best technology conversations happen in stores, not conference rooms. And as AI reshapes retail, its true impact won’t ultimately be measured by models, benchmarks, or the sophistication of the technology. It will be measured on the frontlines. In how we make experiences better for guests. How we empower team members. How we simplify work. And ultimately, how we make the entire enterprise smarter while keeping people at the centre. That’s what makes this opportunity so exciting.”
Nair concluded: “Target is an iconic retailer with an extraordinary brand, a deep connection with its guests, and a long history of bringing together design, technology, and human experience in distinctive ways. I’m grateful for the opportunity to partner with Prat Vemana (EVP Chief Information and Product Officer), the Target tech team and the broader leadership team as we explore what’s possible with AI and help shape the next chapter of this remarkable company. For now, I’m enjoying a little more time with my family before getting started. Can’t wait.”
8. Tesco preps relaunch of F&F fashion website with focus on modern, intuitive, inspiring shopping experience
Tesco is set to relaunch a dedicated F&F website next month, following a revival on Tesco.com in May of last year.
A Tesco spokesperson told RTIH: “F&F has become a go to destination for stylish, affordable fashion that keeps pace with customers’ ever changing needs. As our range continues to grow and inspire customers, we want the online experience to reflect that excitement. The new F&F website will offer a more modern, intuitive and inspiring way to shop, making it easier than ever for our customers to discover our latest collections and find the styles they love.”
Also available in Tesco stores, the F&F range covers women’s and men’s clothing, boys’ and girls’ clothing, and baby clothing. Sales climbed 5.1% year on year to £1.2 billion for the year to 28th February 2026.
9. Kroger hires Jet.com Co-founder Nate Faust as Executive VP and Chief E-commerce Officer
The Kroger Co. has appointed Nate Faust as Executive Vice President and Chief eCommerce Officer, effective 1st September. Faust brings more than two decades of experience building and scaling e-commerce businesses, most recently at Olive, creating a waste free delivery and returns experience for brands like Rhone, Cynthia Rowley and Rent the Runway.
"Nate built businesses that redefined what customers expect from e-commerce, built on speed, value and the experience of getting exactly what the customer ordered," says Greg Foran, CEO at Kroger. "That is the standard we are holding ourselves to as we grow our digital business. I am thrilled to welcome Nate to the team."
Faust is the co-founder of Jet.com, which was acquired by Walmart in 2016. As Chief Operating Officer, he led first-party merchandising, replenishment, fulfillment, and customer service. He also launched the Smart Cart model that rewarded customers with lower prices for shopping more efficiently. After the Walmart deal, he served as Senior Vice President of Walmart U.S. eCommerce Supply Chain. Earlier in his career, Faust was a member of the executive team at Diapers.com.
"Kroger has deep customer relationships, unmatched loyalty data and a footprint that puts us closer to customers," he says. "I couldn't pass up the opportunity to work alongside Greg again and build on that strong foundation, continuing to improve the customer experience in this fast growing part of the business."
10. James Anstruther takes on Head of AI Centre Excellence role at Sainsbury's
Sainsbury’s has appointed James Anstruther as head of its AI Centre of Excellence. He was previously at GSK, where he served as Director - AI Enterprise Strategy & Transformation. His CV also includes a stint at Deloitte.
In a LinkedIn post, he said: “Spent a large chunk of my first week working in store, visiting our distribution depots and learning about the business. Really excited to see how AI can continue to transform Sainsbury’s and evolve both customer experience and colleagues ways of working. Look forward to exploring all things AI strategy, governance, innovation, enablement and change.”
