HMV expands Bluewater footprint and Wonder scales with speed: the retail technology week in numbers

Retail trends

21 Aug

Do you like numbers? Do you like retail tech news? Then this is the article for you. Including Just Eat UK, Zipline, Uber Eats, Bodycare, Ingenico, Amazon Just Walk Out technology, Clarity Systems, HyperFinity, Manna Coffee, and Serve Robotics, Target, and the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

$1 billion…Target this week reported a rise in second quarter profits alongside a $1 billion refund from President Donald Trump’s rescinded tariffs as the US retailer’s turnaround plan. Company veteran Michael Fiddelke took over as Chief Executive earlier this year and vowed to spruce up stores and fix supply chain problems that led to customer complaints about empty shelves.

Technology is showing up in Target’s results, and it is just getting started, argues Prat Vemana, EVP Chief Information and Product Officer.

In a LinkedIn post, he said: “Through a lot of change, our Target Tech team continues to move with urgency, accelerating our priorities while modernising the foundations that keep Target ready for what’s next. You can see that impact in our Q2 results.”

He added: “We’re building tools that simplify work for our field teams and create more time for guests. We’re applying AI to forecasting and decision-making to improve reliability. And as commerce evolves, Target’s digital traffic sourced from AI platforms is growing more than 3.5x the industry compared with a year ago. We’re also investing in what’s next, like the digital twin technology we’re applying in our supply chain, helping us anticipate disruption, test scenarios and improve reliability at scale.”

Vemana concluded: “There’s more work ahead, but the opportunity is enormous. Technology is an amplifier of talent, and this team is proving it every day.”

7,000...Entertainment retailer HMV is moving on up at Bluewater Shopping Centre in the UK with a new two-storey store. It is poised to take over a 7,000 sq ft unit after Gravity Arcade shut down last month. A spokesperson for Gravity Arcade said that the premises were always intended to be a “temporary pop-up location”, which “operated for a limited period”.

The expanded store (double the size of HMV’s previous Bluewater location) will open later this year and stock vinyl, CDs, films, and TV shows, as well as T-shirts from major franchises including Star Wars, KPop Demon Hunters, and Funko POP! It will also offer a wide selection of books, from fiction and graphic novels to music biographies, young adult titles, and manga.

Phil Halliday, Managing Director at HMV and Fopp, says: "Bluewater has always been a key destination for the business, and we're thrilled to be expanding our footprint within the centre. Whether you're hunting down rare vinyl, diving into Manga, or picking up the latest merch, the new shop will offer something for everyone. We can't wait to welcome in customers later this year."

James Waugh, Centre Director at Bluewater, says: "As one of Bluewater's original retailers, having been with us since we first opened in 1999, HMV has always been a firm favourite with our guests. "Seeing them commit to an even bigger space is not only great news for us, but highlights a wider confidence in bricks and mortar retail. We look forward to seeing the new, larger store open its doors later this year."

The hmv delivers service will also be available, allowing people to order items not available in-store and have them delivered to their homes.

HMV currently operates more than 125 stores across the UK and Europe.

6...The eighth edition of the RTIH Innovation Awards is now up and running with the deadline for entries being Friday, 2nd October. That’s just six weeks away, so don’t delay, start working on your submissions today!

The awards, sponsored by 3D Cloud, Business France, and Retail Technology Show 2027, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our latest winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC (Prince Consort Rooms) in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.

200...Sainsbury's plans to continue with its roll-out of Facewatch facial recognition technology to approximately 200 stores during 2026, despite a customer being wrongly challenged as a shoplifter and asked to leave a store earlier this month.

A Sainsbury's spokesperson said that this resulted from human error rather than a false match by the Facewatch system and that the retailer contacted the customer to apologise for his experience. "The incident was caused by human error, not the facial recognition technology. Customers can be reassured that the Facewatch system has a 99.98% accuracy rate, and every match is reviewed by a trained manager,” they added.

A Facewatch spokesperson comments: "We can confirm that our live facial recognition technology was not at fault in this incident. A correct alert was sent to the retailer, but was subsequently subject to human error in the way it was handled and communicated by the retailer."

Matt Arnold, 46, was buying items at a Sainsbury’s store in East Dulwich when he was stopped by management at a self-service checkout. He was waiting for a staff member to approve an alcohol purchase. Having scanned his items alongside his Nectar loyalty card, he waved an attendant over, but was instead approached by management.

"They came over and said I had to leave. The staff member said I'd been identified by the AI, and the cameras had flagged me," he tells BBC London. "A shoplifter does not walk around with that much shopping, they don't scan it through, they don't put their Nectar card through. But what upset me was thinking this is what the future could be - people just listen to what the machine tells them to do without thinking about the consequences."

After being escorted off the premises, Arnold said he had looked back from the entrance and saw an overhead CCTV monitor alert with a red circle surrounding his face.

2,000...The Home Depot has announced a US wide roll-out of its Express Delivery service. This is available for a small flat fee with no subscription or membership required. It leverages the retailer’s supply chain network with more than 2,000 US stores functioning as fulfillment hubs.

Customers can get items in three hours or less, including materials and supplies for professional construction projects. They can view Express Delivery eligibility on product pages and in the cart at checkout.

"Customers expect products to be available when and where they need them, and Express Delivery helps us meet that expectation with a fast, reliable solution," says Jordan Broggi, EVP of Interconnected Retail. "Whether you're a DIYer who needs one more bag of fertiliser to finish the yard or a pro running short on adhesives and caulk for a time sensitive job, Express Delivery makes it easier than ever for our customers to get the supplies they need, right when they need them most."

1...Just Eat UK has signed Laundryheap as its exclusive laundry and dry cleaning partner, marking the app’s first service offer. According to those involved, this is the first time a laundry offering has been integrated into a mainstream convenience app. Customers will be able to book ‘Wash & Fold’ and dry cleaning directly through the Just Eat app with clothes back in 24 hours.

This launches in London and will expand to Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh within six months.

Caroline Bates, Grocery and New Verticals Director at Just Eat UK, says: "Summer often means busy diaries and busier wardrobes. Whether you've cycled into work on one of the hottest days of the year, have a week's worth of shirts waiting to be washed, or need your wedding outfit professionally cleaned before the next celebration, we're making it even easier to get everyday jobs done.”

"Our partnership with Laundryheap is another step in our ambition to become the UK's go to convenience platform. Customers already turn to Just Eat for dinner, groceries and everyday essentials, and now they can book laundry collections through the same app, giving them one less thing to think about."

100 and 200...Wonder is partnering with Serve Robotics to bring autonomous delivery to customers in Chicago, Los Angeles and Alexandria on the Grubhub marketplace. The launch expands robot delivery across more than 100 participating merchants in Chicago and nearly 200 in Los Angeles, while also bringing the technology to Wonder’s Potomac Yard location in Alexandria.

"A year ago, our robots were delivering dinner in a handful of neighbourhoods. Today they serve three of the country's largest delivery platforms, they're rolling into new cities from San Jose to the nation's capital and their hospital cousins are showing up in health systems across the country," says Ali Kashani, Co-Founder and CEO at Serve Robotics. "Welcoming Wonder and Grubhub to our network is the clearest signal yet of where we are headed. Every new partner puts more robots to work and every delivery makes the whole fleet smarter."

"We're constantly looking for ways to make the customer experience more convenient and reliable," says PJ Poykayil, EVP of Customer Delivery Operations at Wonder. "Our partnership with Serve brings autonomous delivery to Grubhub customers in Chicago, Los Angeles and Alexandria while also enabling robot delivery from our Potomac Yard location in Alexandria. As we continue to grow, partnerships like this help us expand delivery options, improve efficiency and create a more seamless mealtime experience."

1 million...Zipline and Uber Technologies have announced a partnership that aims to scale drone delivery across the United States. The first deployments will begin later this year, where Uber Eats customers will have the option to receive their orders in minutes via Zipline’s autonomous service.

Uber will also make an investment in Zipline with the pair aiming to reach one million drone deliveries per day by the end of 2029.

“Zipline has built incredible technology, and Uber connects many millions of people with local merchants every day,” says Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO at Uber. “Together, we’re shaping the future of delivery by creating a faster, more sustainable way for people to get what they need. We look forward to bringing this technology to more communities and making autonomous delivery part of everyday life.”

“Teleportation isn’t science fiction anymore. It’s becoming part of everyday life,” says Keller Cliffton, Co-Founder at Zipline. “Every great transportation revolution has changed where people live, how businesses operate, and how economies grow. Together with Uber, we’re taking the next step toward building a world where getting what you need is as fast and effortless as sending a text, no matter where you are.”

1 and 2...Derbion reports that health and beauty retailer Bodycare will open a new Studio Store at the centre on Saturday 22nd August, pitched as the first of its kind in the East Midlands. Last year, Bodycare closed all its stores after collapsing into adminstration. Its brand and intellectual property were acquired out of administration in late 2025 by an investor group led by former The Body Shop and Molton Brown CEO Charles Denton, and it is now aiming to open 15 UK stores in 2026, growing to 150 locations over the next five years.

Following the launch of the retailer's first Studio Store in Sheffield, Derbion has been chosen to host the second in the UK. The store brings together the value focused health and beauty essentials Bodycare is known for alongside an expanded range of skincare, cosmetics, fragrance and wellness. New features include K-Beauty collections, a professional piercing studio, the Technic cosmetics range and a free to use Creator Studio.

Beth McDonald, Managing Director at Derbion, says: "We're hugely excited to welcome Bodycare back to Derbion with a brand new concept store. As well as offering exceptional value for customers, the Creator Studio will be a brilliant addition which is sure to prove extremely popular with our local community here in Derby. Bodycare is the latest in a raft of new stores that have joined the centre this year and we look forward to announcing further news soon."

79%...UK retailers have a significant opportunity to strengthen customer loyalty, as shoppers grow increasingly disengaged from programmes that feel generic and unrewarding, according to new research from HyperFinity.

Its survey of 2,000 Brits found that 79% of shoppers want personalised loyalty offers, with 23% expecting these offers to be highly personalised. Yet despite this expectation, 61% have been a member of a loyalty programme but felt no different from a regular customer.

On top of this, 52% are less loyal to retailers than three years ago - not because loyalty no longer matters, but because too many programmes are failing to deliver genuine value.

The survey also found that irrelevant offers are Britain’s biggest loyalty frustration, cited by 55% as their primary turn-off. Generic programmes that fail to recognise individual preferences are making it harder for retailers to build lasting loyalty. Among shoppers who have chosen to abandon a retailer because of its loyalty programme, limited savings rank as the second biggest reason (36%). A further 13% cite early access to products and deals that never actually materialise.

As cost-of-living pressures intensify, the tolerance for loyalty schemes that take data but give little back is running out among the UK public. For retailers, this presents an opportunity to stand out by using customer data more effectively to deliver rewards that feel genuinely relevant and valuable.

1...The first Amazon frictionless stores in Wales, named Now in a Minute, have gone live at Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Developed in partnership with hospitality partner Aramark UK, the stores made their debut at the FA Community Shield on Sunday, 16th August.

Tapping Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology, customers tap their payment card to enter, pick up what they want and leave. Sensors automatically identify the items selected and process payment, removing the need to queue at a traditional till. The stores will stock a selection of popular matchday favourites, including confectionery, pies, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. Product ranges will be tailored to suit different events throughout the year.

The deployment builds on a series of recent investments at the stadium, including the installation of more than 20 self-service eBars.

Tomos Grace, Chief Commercial Officer, says: “We’re continually looking for new and innovative ways to enhance the experience for the millions of fans who visit Principality Stadium each year. The introduction of our new Now in a Minute stores gives supporters a faster and more convenient way to access food and drink on event days.”

€150 million ...Ingenico, a specialist in payment acceptance solutions, has announced an agreement to reset its capital structure, anchored by a €150 million investment from a PIMCO led group of investors. The cash will be used to accelerate product innovation.

It will also support Ingenico’s Customer Excellence team and its global footprint, including new locations in London, San Francisco and Istanbul, with a view to bringing Account Managers, Solutions Engineers, and Customer Support Managers closer to customers and partners in key markets worldwide.

Recently appointed CEO Floris de Kort says that he is focused on building next-generation payment acceptance technology through cloud-based platforms, with the aim of making Ingenico a faster, simpler, and more valuable partner for customers globally.

“This agreement gives Ingenico the ability to move faster on the priorities that matter most: building great products, simplifying payment operations and delivering for our customers and partners,” he comments. “With a strong balance sheet and new capital in place, we can execute better and invest in the areas that will define our next phase. We have the foundation, the priorities, and a team that knows how to deliver. I’ve never been more confident that Ingenico’s best years are ahead of us.”

Earlier this year, Ingenico, which has been owned by Apollo Global Management since 2022, opened talks with its creditors over a €1.1 billion debt due by 2030, according to a Bloomberg report.

The article noted that the terminals market had hardened. Ingenico, which once dominated this space alongside Verifone, was losing share to China's PAX with materially cheaper devices. A shift toward software and cloud had not been enough to turn things around. Moody's downgraded the company from B3 to Caa2 in February, citing "very high" leverage, persistently negative free cash flow and weak liquidity.

150...Wonder has opened its 150th location. In a LinkedIn post, CEO Tony Hoggett said: "When I joined Wonder almost two years ago, we were celebrating the opening of our 32nd location. Today (Friday, 14th August) we’re opening our 150th."

"Growth at this scale doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from a relentless focus on our customers, the incredible hard work of our teams, and remarkable technology that enables us to scale with speed."

"And we’re not slowing down. With four new locations opening today in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts; Gaithersburg, Maryland; West Hartford, Connecticut; and Hamden, Connecticut, we’re continuing to expand Wonder’s reach and make great food more accessible and convenient for more customers."

"Huge congratulations to everyone across Wonder who has helped make this possible. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built together - 32 to 150 in less than two years! And we’re only just getting started!"

$1.25 million...Manna Coffee, an AI native autonomous coffee kiosk network, has announced a $1.25 million seed financing at a $15 million pre-money valuation. More than $300,000 has thus far been funded toward the round, which remains open. The financing will support the expansion of Manna’s technology platform, deployment capacity, and qualified location pipeline, including the activation of more than 500 locations and converting them into operating points.

The round brings together 119 investors, including StartEngine, CoinFlip, Netevia, and Aleksandr Deriglazov, founder of Meloman - Kazakhstan's largest retail entertainment chain - who exited the business and remains The Walt Disney Company's distributor across Kazakhstan and Central Asia.

$4.4 million...Clarity Systems, an AI powered retail fraud detection specialist, has announced the close of a $4.4 million seed round backed by LMnT Ventures, with participation from Regeneration VC, Humba Ventures, and Massive Technology Ventures.

Andy Ruben, Cofounder and CEO at Clarity, says: “Retail fraud has become a professional industry, run at scale against the returns counter and the receiving dock, and most defenses were built for a shoplifting era. We built Clarity to catch it the moment it enters the building.”

Jeff Miller, Founder and Managing Partner at LMnT Ventures, says: “Return fraud is a stubborn, massive problem hiding in plain sight, costing the world’s largest brands billions and ultimately leaving everyday consumers to foot the bill. And it’s a problem that the founders, each with extensive experience in the retail and returns world have had to endure for decades.”

“With Clarity’s advanced imaging hardware and proprietary AI models, this chronic problem is finally tractable. Importantly, this isn’t AI theory- it’s already happening on Clarity systems. This is a problem whose time has come and this is the team to crack it.”