We’re big fans of LinkedIn and are busy building an amazing community of retail tech enthusiasts on the social media platform. As we close on 15,000 followers, these are the articles that are currently on their radars, including Klarna, Boots, Matalan, InPost UK, Aldi, Jisp, EE, Co-op, TalkShopLIve, Superdrug, and Gophr.
Amazon Just Walk Out tech powered Viking Market store launches at North Park University in Chicago
Amazon has launched a new checkout-free store in partnership with Aramark Collegiate Hospitality at North Park University in Chicago, USA.
In a LinkedIn post, Cameron Schelhorn Salem, Senior Technical Business Development at Amazon Web Services (AWS), said: “The new Viking Market powered by Just Walk Out technology and AWS is in the newly remodelled Commuter Lounge, providing commuter students a place to gather and shop with their meal plan (powered by Grubhub) for quick snacks, beverages, university apparel, and more.”
Klarna buy now pay later service goes live on Boots UK and Ireland websites along with mobile app
Boots has rolled out Klarna’s buy now pay later offering across its UK and Ireland online sites and mobile app.
In a LinkedIn post, Andrew Wood, Group Lead Solutions & Delivery UK, Ireland, BeNeFra and Southern Europe at Klarna, said: “Delighted to share that Klarna is now available on Boots.com and Boots.ie, plus the Boots app in the UK and Ireland.”
“It’s been such a pleasure to work with the amazing team at Boots UK and my wonderful colleagues at Klarna on this exciting partnership.”
The retailer previously made Klarna’s BNPL service available in over 2,000 stores across the UK, and also for Boots Opticians.
Customers can spread the cost of their purchase into three interest free instalments with Pay in 3.
The first payment is made at point of purchase, with remaining instalments scheduled automatically every 30 days.
Matalan teams with Kin + Carta to launch new GenAI and Large Language Model online tool
Matalan, a fashion and homeware omnichannel value retailer, has announced the launch of a new Generative AI (GenAI) tool.
Matalan has partnered with Kin + Carta on the GenAI and Large Language Model (LLM) offering, which creates detailed product descriptions for items listed on its website.
The move is pitched as the first time a UK retailer has used AI in this way and forms an important part of Matalan’s digital transformation journey.
The tool will be implemented across all departments, including clothing and homeware. According to a press release: “As well as making shopping online with Matalan even easier, it is expected to deliver a 4x increase in productivity.”
Fashion shopping big hitter Nick Beighton added to keynote speakers list for Retail Technology Show 2024
Retail Technology Show has announced that Nick Beighton, CEO at Matches and Secret Sales Chairman, and former Asos CEO, will deliver a keynote session as part of its 2024 conference programme.
RTS 2024 will take place at London Olympia on 24th and 25th April, with Beighton in conversation with retail analyst and influencer Andrew Busby, on day two.
🌟Excited to reveal our keynote speaker, Nick Beighton, CEO at @MATCHESFASHION & Chairman of @Secretsales. With unmatched expertise in fashion, e-commerce, & tech, Nick revolutionized @ASOS. A visionary in #retailtech, don’t miss out! Register FREE: https://t.co/awQuMImgIv pic.twitter.com/uZj9NsRZp9
— The Retail Technology Show (@RetailTechShow) March 5, 2024
Convenience retailer Co-op eyes further quick commerce growth as convenience retailer teams with Uber Direct
Co-op has announced expanded access to its online shop, accessed via the retailer’s app, through a new partnership with Uber Direct, Uber’s white label delivery solution.
This will enable Co-op member-owners and customers to order groceries via Co-op’s own online shop, with rapid delivery locally through Uber Eats’ delivery network.
Co-op has been growing its e-commerce business through both its own online shop and strategic partnerships.
The trial with Uber Direct will initially enable an additional 50 Co-op stores to offer quick online home delivery as the latter aims to grow the access and reach of its own online shop to around 1,000 stores by the end of the year.
The move supports its ambition to accelerate its share of the quick commerce market to more than 30%, and sits alongside its partnerships with online home delivery platforms including Uber Eats where groceries and everyday essentials are available to order from approaching 1,100 Co-op stores.
Its online strategy is centred on quick convenience from its stores which are well placed at the heart of communities, with online orders picked fresh in local stores.
Co-op has estimated that more than 80% of the UK population now has access to its products through either its own online shop or, the delivery platforms it partners with.
Retail technology innovation of the week: football fans get a taste and appetite for checkout-free stores
Retail Technology Innovation of the Week is a new series brought to you by RTIH and sponsored by 3D Cloud by Marxent, highlighting stand out deployments, launches, and initiatives by retailers and tech suppliers.
Every week, we will showcase forward thinking tech plays that have impressed our Editor and the Retail Technology Innovations Report judging panel, in the run up to the publication of the 2024 report in March.
And this week we’re focusing on Wembley Stadium and Delaware North.
EE Retail IT Refresh project moves from pilot stage to BAU across company’s physical stores
The initiative replaces all the current devices used by the company’s guides in-store, allowing them to complete all sales, service and operational processes from one device.
It also delivers 200Mbps dedicated fibre lines in every store via EE’s BT Business SD WAN.
Along with a new cloud EPoS solution provided by Aptos, reducing infrastructure footprint. And new PED devices from Barclays, making everything wireless.
In a LinkedIn post, Alan Dickson, Principal Technology Partner/Product Lead at EE, said: “For our customers, this delivers a faster, friendlier and more reliable experience meaning the guides can spend more time focusing on their needs.”
He added: “The feedback from our store guides so far has been fantastic with comments including much quicker and simpler, game changing and even life changing.”
“There are too many people to thank individually for their input and efforts to get us here, but to everyone involved, thanks for your passion, enthusiasm, and dedication to get us to this point.”
“Thanks also to our suppliers including, Aptos Retail, Barclaycard Payments, ProTech Services (UK) and Fujitsu for all your support.”
Jisp announces Scan and Save loyalty and rewards partnership with UK northwest retailer Sudi’s Stores
Jisp’s Scan & Save loyalty and rewards offering is now live with Sudheesh Pallikulangara, whose business Sudi’s Stores has eight sites across the northwest of England.
These are predominantly in the Blackpool and Lytham St Annes area, offering customers a broad convenience range and services. Scan & Save will bring discounts and loyalty rewards to help manage customers’ shopping budgets.
Sam Halliwell, Operations Manager overseeing the eight stores, says: “We’ve been researching the market and had seen the benefits Jisp Scan & Save could bring to a retail operation.”
“Given the cost-of-living crisis we felt it was the right time to bring it into our estate, both as a way of rewarding our customers with great deals and loyalty payments and helping to grow our sales and profitability.”
US startup TalkShopLive announces launch of new Instagram Shoppable Simulcast feature
Video commerce and retail media enablement platform TalkShopLive has announced the launch of its new Shoppable Simulcast feature with Instagram.
The product officially debuted yesterday with a livestream featuring Grammy nominated artist, producer, songwriter, and actor Benny Blanco.
This featured Blanco preparing recipes from his new cookbook and entertaining guide, titled Open Wide, and also stream edin association with TalkShopLive media partner Billboard. Blanco also signed copies of his book.
The live event was embedded across multiple destinations, including Billboard.com and Billboard’s Instagram and Facebook page, Blanco’s Instagram and Facebook page, TalkShop.Live and across TalkShopLive’s content distribution network.
Any TalkShopLive stream can be simulcasted on a seller’s Instagram account while still keeping the shopping element intact. The Instagram integration comes after TalkShopLive launched its Shoppable Simulcast product and first destination with Meta on Facebook.
Health and beauty retailer Superdrug picks Gophr to provide pharmacy delivery service
Superdrug reports that Gophr will provide its pharmacy delivery service. This will allow the delivery of prescriptions across the UK to people who choose Superdrug to provide their medication.
Gophr’s strong standard operating procedures, its ability to track and trace all home deliveries digitally from store to door and how it would offer a best-in-class doorstep experience were cited as major factors in Superdrug’s decision.
The doorstep experience must replicate the security protocols that take place in the pharmacy itself and there are layers of protection in delivery to uphold standards ensuring that prescription medicines are given directly to the people they are intended for.
A successful pharmacy partnership calls for:
A nationwide courier network
Pharmacy trained drivers
An exceptional doorstep experience
Online trackingThat’s why we’ve teamed up with @superdrug to support their patients with #homedelivery.
More details: https://t.co/2xEo1WBUff
— Gophr (@gophr) March 5, 2024
InPost partners with Aldi to trial parcel lockers outside a selection of the discount retailer’s UK stores
Aldi is trialling the use of parcel lockers outside a selection of its UK stores, including Glasgow, Liverpool, Colchester, Portsmouth, Gravesend, Bournemouth, Cardiff, Preston, Nuneaton, and Bristol.
Customers will be able to collect and return online orders from other retailers at select Aldi stores, thanks to the retailer’s new partnership with InPost.
Throughout March, InPost lockers will be available outside 22 Aldi stores across the country.
The trial will conclude after a 12-week period, with the aim to roll it out to more stores if successful.
Henderson Technology announces Brisk Technology as new authorised EDGEPoS reseller
Henderson Technology has appointed Brisk Technology as an authorised EDGEPoS reseller to the retail sector in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Online running retailer SportsShoes.com announces affiliate marketing partnership with Visualsoft
UK online running shoes, running clothing and outdoor gear retailer SportsShoes.com has announced a new partnership with Visualsoft.
Established in 1982, the venture offers customers more than 17,000 products from 150 global running and outdoor brands. It is seeking to elevate its affiliate marketing with Visualsoft, being very aware of the role of influencers, content and authenticity to leverage new customers and grow loyalty.
Nectar360 hails a retail sector first as company launches Sainsbury’s Branded Shops offering
Nectar360 has announced the launch of Branded Shops, pitched as a first of its kind offering available to clients on the Nectar360 eCommerce Media Platform.
Co-developed with CitrusAd, this gives clients the ability to build custom pages on sainsburys.co.uk to help customers shop their favourite brands, with the aim of increasing brand engagement and encouraging purchases that drive incremental sales.
Manna Drone Delivery teams with Boojum for rapid delivery of fresh burritos to customers’ doorsteps
Manna Drone Delivery has announced a new partnership with Boojum, an Ireland-based, Mexican inspired burrito chain, in addition to an expansion of service to include Blanchardstown.
The service will allow around 100,000 people to have fresh burritos delivered to their doorstep in just a handful of minutes.
The company also offers drone delivery in Fort Worth, Texas, in the United States.
