Corporate
Found 531 articles
HomeBase USA scales robot-powered inventory across retail chain
Following a successful pilot that slashed pricing errors and inventory time, HomeBase USA is deploying Simbe’s Tally robot and store intelligence suite chain-wide. The rollout across Texas, Wyoming, Kansas, and Missouri aims to automate shelf management, allowing staff to pivot from manual audits to direct customer service.
DoorDash moves to build its own drone delivery network
DoorDash has officially entered the drone delivery race, securing Federal Aviation Administration Part 135 certification to operate its own aerial fleet. This pivot moves the delivery giant beyond its existing partnerships with Wing and Flytrex, as it shifts toward developing custom hardware and autonomous ground-to-air infrastructure.
Supply Chain AI Startup Freehand Raises $75 Million
Freehand, a startup deploying autonomous AI agents to manage enterprise supply chain spending, has secured $75 million in a seed round. Co-led by Battery Ventures and NewRoad Capital Partners, the funding arrives as the company expands its footprint with high-profile clients including Meta, Unilever, and Dunkin'.
Cubitts opens first Manchester store in historic Smithfield Buildings
British spectacle maker Cubitts has launched its 21st global location in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. Situated at 16 Smithfield Buildings, the new store occupies a portion of the site once home to the historic Affleck & Brown department store, marking the brand’s 19th site within the United Kingdom.
Kiehl’s Scales Smart Mirror Roll-out to Global Retail Markets
Kiehl’s is expanding its interactive retail strategy, deploying smart mirror installations across the UK, UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, and China. Following an initial launch in New York, the brand is moving to establish these motion-sensing, augmented reality displays as permanent fixtures in its international stores to deepen customer engagement.
Former M&S CTO Josie Smith joins Redcentric as Chief Customer Officer
Josie Smith has been appointed Chief Customer Officer at managed service provider Redcentric, marking her return to the industry following her departure from Marks and Spencer earlier this year. Her exit from the retailer followed a major cyber attack by the group Scattered Spider that severely disrupted online operations.
Morrisons brings Instacart smart trolleys to UK retail
Morrisons has launched Instacart’s AI-powered Caper Carts at its Preston supermarket, marking the North American firm’s first retail partnership in the UK. The pilot introduces smart technology to the store floor, aiming to streamline the shopping journey by integrating real-time basket tracking, loyalty rewards, and automated produce weighing directly into the trolley.
Walmart and Wing Launch Drone Delivery Service in Greater Orlando
Walmart and Alphabet’s Wing have officially deployed a drone delivery network across Central Florida, aiming to bypass traffic congestion by delivering goods from local Supercenters in as little as 30 minutes. The service targets both busy families and tourists, marking a significant expansion for the retail giant’s logistics footprint.
Co-op bets on microdrama to turn grocery runs into social currency
Co-op has launched a four-part social media series, moving beyond traditional advertising to embrace the microdrama trend. By partnering with Carat UK and Platform Media, the retailer aims to transform mundane convenience store visits into hyperbolic, shareable storytelling designed to spark conversation across platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
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Chris Rapley joins Treatwell to lead payment strategy
Chris Rapley, formerly of online restaurant booking platform Quandoo, has transitioned to the beauty and wellness sector as the new Payments Specialist at Treatwell. His appointment signals a push to refine the company’s fintech infrastructure, aimed at simplifying financial operations for salon owners and stylists across the United Kingdom.
London bodywork brand MASAJ secures £1.5 million for expansion
MASAJ, a London-based massage studio brand, has raised £1.5 million in a funding round co-led by FIGR Ventures and Sorven Capital. The investment brings the company’s total funding to £2 million, providing the capital necessary to accelerate its UK footprint and expand its team over the coming year.
Royal Mail rolls out electric cargo cycles to streamline city deliveries
Royal Mail is deploying its first fleet of Minimal Pedal 4 electric cargo cycles this month, targeting major urban centers including London, Brighton, and Cambridge. The move aims to modernize the company's delivery network while advancing its stated ambition to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
Uber Eats expands US grocery footprint with regional retail partnerships
Uber Technologies is deepening its US grocery presence by adding several regional chains to its delivery marketplace, including Busch’s Fresh Food Market, Hays, Lowe’s Market, and Piggly Wiggly. The move aims to integrate local community staples into the company’s existing on-demand delivery infrastructure, allowing users to track orders through its primary applications.
Coach Brings (Re)Loved Initiative to The Sims 4
Luxury fashion house Coach is deepening its integration with The Sims 4, launching a digital collection inspired by its sustainability-focused (Re)Loved initiative. This second collaborative drop aims to blend high-end design with virtual self-expression, offering players new ways to customize their avatars within the iconic life-simulation game.
Retail Automation: Human Jobs and Robot Risks
Conflict persists between the promise of retail automation and its real-world consequences. While industry proponents argue that robotics and AI liberate staff to focus on customer experience rather than administrative drudgery, a recent lawsuit involving an autonomous delivery robot highlights the physical dangers that can arise when technology goes awry.
Virgin Media O2 launches tech recycling lab at Westfield Stratford
Shoppers at the Westfield Stratford City flagship store are getting a hands-on look at the circular economy through a new interactive pilot. Virgin Media O2 has unveiled the O2 Tech Refab Lab, a dedicated space designed to demystify device recycling, refurbishment, and the sustainable reuse of precious materials.
Albertsons rolls out financial wellness platform for 280,000 staff
Albertsons Companies has partnered with fintech firm Stream to provide its 280,000 employees with a comprehensive suite of financial management tools. The initiative, which includes earned wage access and automated budgeting features, marks the first time a major U.S. supermarket chain has deployed such an extensive platform to its entire workforce.
Andy Eva-Dale joins Valtech as UK CTO to spearhead AI integration
Digital commerce agency Valtech has tapped Andy Eva-Dale as its new UK Chief Technology Officer, ending his nine-year tenure at Tangent. Eva-Dale enters the firm with a mandate to accelerate an "AI-first" strategy, embedding machine learning directly into product development and internal operational workflows across the company’s UK portfolio.
LAFC Deploys Mashgin AI Checkout at BMO Stadium
Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Football Club has integrated Mashgin’s AI-powered checkout system at BMO Stadium, aiming to eliminate traditional scanning and barcodes. By allowing fans to place items down and pay instantly, the club seeks to reduce transaction times for guests navigating concession lines during busy match days.
Scott Kenworthy joins PVH Corp to lead AI and IT innovation
PVH Corp has appointed Scott Kenworthy as Senior Director of AI and Innovation, tasking him with driving digital transformation across its flagship Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger brands. Kenworthy arrives at the fashion giant following a decade-long tenure at Coty, where he served as Global Director of Digital Innovation.
John Buzzard joins Walmart to lead last mile driver analytics
Walmart has appointed John Buzzard as a Senior Data Analyst within its last mile delivery division. Buzzard, who previously spent the majority of his career specializing in healthcare analytics at Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, now pivots to optimizing the logistical experience for the retailer’s massive driver network.
FARM Rio digitizes global supply chain with Inspectorio AI
FARM Rio is moving to consolidate its global supply chain operations by deploying Inspectorio’s AI-driven platform. The Brazilian fashion brand, a flagship of the AZZAS 2154 group, aims to replace fragmented manual processes with a centralized digital system to manage quality, lab testing, and transparency across its international retail network.
Everseen Acquires Viztel to Expand Retail AI Capabilities
Vision AI specialist Everseen has acquired the Viztel technology portfolio from RadiusAI, marking a strategic move to extend its automated revenue recovery services beyond the checkout counter. The deal, for which financial terms remain undisclosed, integrates Viztel’s store-wide analytics platform into Everseen’s existing operational intelligence suite.
The Hybrid Future of Casino Gaming
The traditional casino model, once defined strictly by its physical footprint, is undergoing a profound transformation as operators navigate the tension between brick-and-mortar prestige and the rapid scalability of digital platforms. This shift forces a fundamental rethink of how gaming businesses capture value and cultivate customer loyalty.
Dhiren Karnani Appointed Global Head of Food and Experience at KFC
Dhiren Karnani has been named Senior Director and Global Head of Food and Experience at KFC, a strategic appointment aimed at steering the brand's global food innovation agenda while refining the next generation of restaurant design and customer interaction.
Royal Mail taps former Doddle executive to lead parcel locker expansion
Keith O'Keeffe has joined Royal Mail as Head of Network Deployments, shifting from his long-standing role at Doddle to spearhead the company’s out-of-home delivery strategy. His appointment comes as the national carrier aggressively scales its automated parcel locker infrastructure to meet rising consumer demand for 24/7 convenience.
Morrisons debuts AI-powered smart trolleys in UK retail first
Morrisons has introduced Instacart’s Caper Cart technology at its Preston supermarket, marking the first time the North American firm has deployed its AI-driven shopping solution in the UK. The trial aims to modernize the physical shopping experience by automating item recognition and streamlining the checkout process for customers.
Gymshark Promotes Matt Rogers to Chief Supply Chain Officer
Gymshark has elevated Matt Rogers to Chief Supply Chain Officer, capping a transition that began when he joined the retailer in 2023. Rogers, a veteran of Asos with nearly 11 years of logistics experience, moves into the permanent role after serving as Interim General Manager for Sourcing and Supply Chain.
Starship Technologies sued after delivery robot injures Arizona woman
Trudy Perez, a 73-year-old parking garage attendant, is suing Starship Technologies after an autonomous delivery robot allegedly knocked her to the ground at Arizona State University. The collision, which occurred in 2023, left Perez with a spinal fracture and a deep arm laceration, prompting a jury trial scheduled for next year.
Cannes Lions signals a shift in the retail media landscape
Retail media has firmly secured its spot in advertiser budgets, yet its long-term growth faces a critical bottleneck. While influencers and AI dominated discussions at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, industry experts warn that scaling in-store media requires solving deep-seated fragmentation and rethinking creative strategy.