It’s Friday, the weekend is almost upon us, so let’s kick back and reflect on another eventful week for the retail systems space. Here’s your briefing on the most important stories from the past five days, including Walmart, Mars Wrigley, Zippin, Amazon, Tesco, and dunnhumby.
1. Blue Yonder announces intent to acquire first and last mile technology specialist Doddle
Supply chain solutions provider, Blue Yonder, has announced the signing of an agreement to acquire Doddle, a first and last mile technology business.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Doddle has achieved what so few other companies have been able to accomplish: it has cracked the code of first and last mile together with omnichannel returns,” says Duncan Angove, CEO, Blue Yonder.
“The beauty of its solution is that they solve the returns problem end-to-end. From returns initiation, to returns rules, from in-store returns processing to self-service kiosks, right through to warehouse returns handling and back into stock.”
“The proliferation of e-commerce – and, therefore, returns – has placed increased pressure on carriers, muddied the waters of inventory management, and created frustrations for shoppers. Doddle’s capabilities unlock a differentiated, superior customer experience and will help us to further our mission to transform the supply chain.”
@BlueYonder announces intent to acquire @Doddle. Read more: https://t.co/s2Ee0g7psb #BYICON2023 pic.twitter.com/CcGzNBYVZ1
— Blue Yonder (@BlueYonder) October 12, 2023
2. dunnhumby powered Tesco Media and Insight Platform expands connected store and digital offering
Tesco Media and Insight Platform, powered by dunnhumby, has unveiled a range of new onsite and in-store media channels.
At an Upfront event in London, updates were announced including Scan as You Shop media, new in-store digital screens and new onsite digital performance ads.
“Tesco are leading the way in retail media, giving brands and agencies the power to truly shape what Britain buys, with Tesco Media now standing shoulder to shoulder with the established media houses,” says Nick Ashley, MD, Tesco Media & Insight Platform.
“This scale, combined with our advanced closed-loop measurement and cutting-edge data science, allows brands partnering with Tesco Media to connect with shoppers like never before.”
3. First Class Vending, Mars Wrigley, Aramark open Frictionless Market at Uni of Nevada Las Vegas, powered by Zippin
First Class Vending, in collaboration with Mars Wrigley and Aramark, has opened an unattended Frictionless Market at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV).
Powered by Zippin’s platform, this lets customers grab items, and exit, eliminating the need for traditional checkouts.
“We are excited to introduce the Frictionless Market to the UNLV community,” says Matthew Marsh, CEO at First Class Vending.
“This innovative concept aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing cutting-edge vending solutions that enhance convenience and efficiency. With Zippin’s advanced technology and Mars Wrigley’s support, we are confident that this market will exceed expectations and become a hub of convenience for the UNLV campus.”
🎉Today is the Grand Opening of the Zippin-powered UNLV Frictionless Market!🎉 This marks one of the first Zippin college stores, launched in partnership with Mars Wrigley, First Class Vending, and The Central Group. #retailtech #retailinnovation. https://t.co/GpWcH0FEbb
— Zippin (@GetZippin) October 5, 2023
4. Amazon Fresh scores grocery store first as it bags Zero Carbon Certification from International Living Future Institute
A Seattle Amazon Fresh location has received a Zero Carbon Certification from the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), becoming the world’s first grocery store, and Amazon’s first building, to do so.
ILFI awarded this in September, and is currently evaluating three Los Angeles area Amazon Go locations, an Amazon Same-Day site in Sacramento, and Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle
The 35,000-square-foot store opened in 2022 on Aurora Avenue in North Seattle, with sustainability features including a natural refrigerant-based refrigeration system, all electric kitchen and hot water heating systems, electric vehicle charging for customers, and low carbon concrete floors.
5. Time is running out to enter the 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards: deadline for submissions Friday, 3rd November
There are just over three weeks left to submit your entries for the 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards, which takes place on Wednesday, 29th November at the Barbican Arts Centre in central London.
The event, sponsored by PMC, CADS, 3D Cloud by Marxent, and Goodays, celebrates global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
Spread over 19 different categories, submissions are judged on the extent of innovation and transformation demonstrated, as well as the sustainability of the results. Previous year’s winners have included B&Q, Pets at Home, Walmart, Sook, AiFi, Compass Group, Obsess, and Ribble Cycles.
Deadline for 2023 submissions is Friday, 3rd November.
The awards culminate in a fantastic ceremony, complete with a drinks reception and Christmas themed three-course meal at the Barbican Arts Centre on Wednesday 29th November.
A key event highlight is an exclusive pre-awards roundtable discussion, enabling retailers, tech suppliers and advisors to come together and talk about current retail challenges and opportunities.
Key dates
Friday, 3rd November: Award entry deadline
Tuesday, 7th November: 2023 shortlist revealed
7th-10th November: Judging days
Wednesday, 29th November: Winners announced at the 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards ceremony
Categories, along with entry forms, can be found here.
Can’t wait to see all of the #retail innovations! @BELUnified might even have a few of our own! Submit your best #retailtech and see if you make the grade! Hopefully I’ll see you in London in November! #futureofretail https://t.co/Ei2yzIWaWd
— David wants to help you create the #futureofretail (@polinchock) September 26, 2023
6. Perfect Corp. and Walmart partner on AR powered makeup virtual try-on experience for customers
Perfect Corp. has announced a collaboration with Walmart to launch a makeup virtual try-on experience via the US retail giant’s iOS app.
This will allow Walmart customers to virtually try-on products across the blush, lip colour, eye shadow, and bronzer categories and discover their perfect shade.
“As a destination for beauty, we’re committed to identifying new and emerging opportunities to inspire our customers and create more personalised, seamless, customer centric shopping experiences. That’s why I’m so excited that Walmart is launching Beauty Virtual Try-On, to offer customers a more engaging and convenient try-on experience on the Walmart app,” says Creighton Kiper, Vice President of Beauty at Walmart U.S.
The offering features Perfect Corp.’s Face AI solution, which is powered by AI deep learning technology to create hyper-realistic AR powered makeup filters for customers to try-on digitally.
It will allow shoppers to virtually try-on more than 1,400 products from Walmart Beauty’s brand assortment including Almay, Black Radiance, CoverGirl, e.l.f. Cosmetics, Maybelline, NYX Professional Makeup, Revlon, Rimmel, Neutrogena, wet n wild, and The Lip Bar.
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