High profile exits and hires at lulelemon and Target: the biggest retail technology stories from August
August is done and dusted, September is up and running, so let’s kick back and reflect on another eventful month for the retail technology space. Here's your briefing on the most important stories from August, including Walmart, Tesco, Simbe, Everseen, Morrisons, Asda, Auror, Sainsbury's, Facewatch, AutoStore, Amazon, Everseen, Hanshow, OpenAI, and Ikea UK.
1. Walmart backs down on stand against contactless payments with Apple and Google Pay
Walmart is adding tap to pay options to its checkout stations at US stores and Sam's Club warehouses, with deployment set for completion by end of year. Fuel stations will be upgraded by mid-2027. This includes options like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Walmart has long resisted the rise and rise of NFC-based payments, opting instead to go all in on its Walmart Pay app and Scan and Go app features for contactless payments.
In a LinkedIn post, Sam Amrani, Founder and CEO at PassBy, said: "Isn't it crazy to think that it's 2026 and Walmart doesn't accept Apple Pay? Until now that is. This has been a case of America's largest retailer vs America's largest consumer tech company."
He added: "Inevitably, Walmart Pay will go down as the largest attempt at creating a closed loop payment system. Its demise will be the final nail in the coffin for retailers trying to create proprietary payment rails for their ecosystem. Ultimately, convenience wins."
"The consumer is the kingmaker, and the result was clear, the convenience of Apple Pay was too important to the customer journey. It will make customers happier and Walmart - although adopting reluctantly - will see this lead to faster transaction times, happier customers and more visits."
2. Everseen, Hanshow and OpenAI top first ever RTIH Retail Technology Hot 100 List
In partnership with 3D Cloud, RTIH is pleased to launch its first ever Retail Technology Hot 100 List. We’re bringing you the hottest companies whose solutions and systems are helping drive the retail sector forward.
These companies operate across the omnichannel retail landscape (stores, online, mobile, supply chain, payments etc).
Our judging panel, including Vineta Bajaj, Group CFO, Holland & Barrett, Dan McGrath, JD Group Customer Operations, JD Sports, Dr. Astha Purohit, Director of Product Management, Customer Data and Identity, Walmart, and Paula Bobbett, Chief Data and Digital Officer, Boots, provided feedback on those who have the most innovative, forward thinking technology offerings and are also best addressing retailers' current challenges, painpoints, and opportunities.
The judges used the following framework when making their picks:
1. Retailer problem fit - how meaningful, strategic, and widely felt the retailer pain being addressed is.
2. Production traction in retail (2025–2026) - real named retailer deployments, pilots.
3. Innovation and defensibility - genuine technical novelty paired with a defensible competitive position.
And there was also a public vote, with thousands of members of our community of retail tech enthusiasts getting involved. Thanks to all those who took part! Based on the judging panel's feedback and the public vote, we then drew up our first ever RTIH Retail Technology Hot 100.
So, without further ado, here are the 100 hottest global retail technology ventures right now. Drum roll, please…
3. Search on for new leader as lululemon Chief AI and Technology Officer Ranju Das leaves retailer
Ranju Das has left lululemon, where he served as Chief AI and Technology Officer. He joined the retailer in September of last year, with a focus on leveraging AI and technology to redefine the retail landscape, enhancing guest experiences and internal operations.
His LinkedIn bio noted: "My role involves creating responsible AI strategies that not only improves efficiency but also adds significant value for shareholders. I work closely with diverse teams to ensure our innovation is aligned with the company’s mission of being a leading brand for people around the world who want to live a healthy and active lifestyle."
“Ranju Das has left lululemon. We are grateful for his contributions and wish him well in his next chapter,” a lululemon spokesperson told RTIH “We are conducting a global search for our next technology leader and have full confidence in our current technology teams to continue delivering on our priorities.”
The spokesperson did not reveal why Das was suddenly leaving or whether this was connected to the recent departure of Chief Strategy Officer Rachel Acheson. He exits stage left just a month before incoming Chief Heidi O’Neill is set to start.
4. Ikea UK preps launch of secondhand products marketplace following Norway and Spain pilots
Ikea UK reports the upcoming launch of a new platform: the Ikea secondhand marketplace. Available to Family members, this is a dedicated space where pre-loved products can find a new home. The platform will enable customers to connect directly with one another. The announcement builds on pilots in Spain and Norway.
An Ikea spokeperson says: “We are always looking for new ways to make life at home even better and help our customers discover products they love. With the launch of Ikea secondhand marketplace in the UK, we’re taking a meaningful step toward creating a destination that simplifies access to pre-owned Ikea furniture.”
“Our goal is to make passing on beloved Ikea pieces as seamless as possible. We’re creating a trusted and vibrant space to make it quick and easy for our Ikea Family members to trade directly with one another. We want the process for buying and selling pre-owned products to be simple, accessible and rewarding.”
Further information regarding the official launch and how customers can participate will be made available in the coming months.
5. Sainsbury's keeps the faith with Facewatch technology as customer is wrongly accused of shoplifting
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 commented: "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 told 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.
6. 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).
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: “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. Asda announces pilot across London stores of Auror crime reporting and intelligence technology
Asda is rolling out Auror, a crime reporting and intelligence platform. It says that a ten-week pilot in 30 London stores demonstrated the value of having a faster, more effective way to report incidents and identify repeat offenders in real-time.
According to the UK grocery retailer, the trial resulted in: more than £100,000 of products recovered and returned to shelves; 55% increase in crime prevention rates; 80% reduction in incident reporting time, from around 25 minutes to under five; improved identification of repeat and cross retailer offenders.
David Lepley, Chief Operating Officer at Asda, says: “Rolling out Auror across our estate will further strengthen our ability to prevent and tackle retail crime. The results from our London pilot demonstrated the value of having a faster and more effective way to report incidents and identify repeat offenders in real-time. By working more closely with police and retailers through a shared intelligence network, we can focus our efforts where they will have the greatest impact and help to tackle retail crime.”
9. Morrisons announces roll-out of Everseen computer vision powered Evercheck platform across stores
Morrisons has selected Everseen to deploy its Evercheck solution across 200 of the UK grocery retailer’s stores in an initial roll-out phase. The platform uses real-time computer vision to simplify the self-checkout process.
The move builds on a trial of the technology. On-screen prompts allow shoppers to correct any missed items themselves, with the aim of keeping queues moving. The software integrates with existing systems, freeing store teams to focus on customer service.
Francesca Bezoari, Store Support Office Director at Morrisons, says: “Our new partnership with Everseen enables us to provide the fast and seamless checkout experience our customers want, while simultaneously equipping our colleagues to maintain the exceptional service that Morrisons is known for.”
Joe White, CEO at Everseen, says: “Morrisons recognise that the best AI solutions deliver measurable results without compromising the customer experience. Our Vision AI platform enables Morrisons to improve its satisfaction scores, proving that operational performance and customer service aren't competing priorities. We're proud to bring our experience from deploying across thousands of global checkouts to support Morrisons transformation.”
10. Tesco extends its UK trial of Simbe's in-store autonomous inventory scanning solution Tally
In July, we reported that Tesco was trialling Simbe’s Tally in-store shelf scanning robot.
Having kicked off with a single store, the pilot is now being extended to a small number of other locations. Thanks to Toby Pickard, Retail Futures Senior Partner at IGD, and a member of the judging panel for the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards, for bringing this to our attention.
In a LinkedIn post, he said: “I’ve now seen Simbe’s Tally robot in a third Tesco store in the UK - another store trialling autonomous inventory scanning. But this time, I had my son with me. His reaction was fascinating. He was completely intrigued by Tally: watching it move around the store, trying to work out what it was doing, and following it with the kind of curiosity only a child can bring to something that feels like it has just stepped out of the future.”
He added: “I’ve heard that in the US, some shoppers will even choose stores specifically because they have Tally, because their children love seeing the robot. Honestly, I can believe it. And it got me thinking…We often talk about retail automation in terms of efficiency, accuracy, labour productivity and ROI. But what happens when the technology itself becomes part of the customer experience? Could robots like Tally become something that customers - and especially children - actively want to see?”
Could, Pickard asked, the presence of robots change which stores people choose to visit? And perhaps more importantly: what happens when the next generation grows up thinking autonomous robots moving around a supermarket is completely normal? Will they see Tally as technology? Or simply as part of what a modern store is?
Pickard concluded: “There’s a fascinating intersection here between automation, operations, customer experience and the psychology of physical retail. I’m increasingly convinced that the question isn’t just, what can robots do for retailers? It’s also, what can robots make customers feel about the future of retail?”
