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Ben Davidson appointed Digital & Omnichannel Director at Haier Europe
Ben Davidson has joined Haier Europe as the new Digital & Omnichannel Director for the UK and Ireland. Bringing nearly a decade of experience from The Very Group, where he served as Trading Director, Davidson is tasked with leading the strategic integration of brand, product, and retail across Haier, Hoover, and Candy.
Magnus Norddahl Returns to Lead LS Retail
Magnus Norddahl has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of LS Retail, marking a strategic return to the company he previously led for over a decade. He replaces Kristjan Johannsson, who is stepping down after a five-year tenure that saw the firm transition under new ownership.
Edgify secures $9 million to expand edge AI beyond retail
London-based Edgify has closed a $9 million Series A+ funding round to scale its hardware-agnostic AI platform. Backed by Rank Ventures and Mangrove Capital Partners, the company aims to move beyond its roots in retail loss prevention to deploy self-learning networks across global industrial sectors and distribution centers.
Nintendo transforms London’s EE Studio into immersive gaming hub
Visitors to London’s Westfield White City are stepping into a virtual playground this week, as Nintendo launches a high-profile takeover of the EE Studio. Running from August 10th through 16th, the activation serves as an interactive showcase for the upcoming Nintendo Sports Resort, complete with appearances by Mario himself.
Westfield Rise expands Toy Story 5 immersive experiences
Westfield Rise has launched the second phase of its Disney-inspired experiential campaign, bringing interactive 'Bonnie’s Playtime' zones to its London and Stratford City shopping centers. The initiative builds on the success of Toy Story 5, which has already surpassed the $1 billion mark at the global box office.
Kroger hits 500-robot milestone with Simbe's Tally inventory system
Kroger has reached a significant infrastructure milestone with the deployment of its 500th Tally inventory robot, which recently went live at a Smith’s Marketplace location. The autonomous units are designed to bolster shelf accuracy and provide store associates with real-time data to help manage stock levels more efficiently.
Retail Automation Accelerates from South Korean Warehouses to UK Pubs
From the launch of Ocado’s first automated freezer in South Korea to the rollout of computer-vision checkouts across Morrisons stores, retailers are aggressively embedding AI and robotics to solve operational friction. These deployments signal a broader shift toward data-driven efficiency, whether in high-speed fulfillment or on-site customer service.
The Argos Sale: A Decade of Missed Integration
Sainsbury’s recent sale of Argos to Swift Partners for £120 million is being framed as the final chapter for a dying high-street relic, but former insiders argue the narrative misses the mark. The transaction represents the culmination of a decade-long failure to fully weave the retailer’s disparate systems into a cohesive whole.
Andrew Plunkett Joins Greene King as Chief Data and Technology Officer
Andrew Plunkett, the former Group CIO at easyJet, has stepped into the role of Chief Data and Technology Officer at Greene King. Responsible for a network of 2,600 pubs, restaurants, and hotels, Plunkett is now tasked with integrating advanced data and AI strategies into the heart of the historic British retailer.
Jordan Yankovich joins Wingstop to lead AI strategy
Jordan Yankovich, a long-standing veteran of Boston Consulting Group, has been appointed Chief AI Officer at Wingstop Restaurants. His move marks a strategic shift for the fast-food chain as it looks to solidify its position as an AI-native brand within an increasingly competitive global hospitality market.
Dave Cain Appointed Head of Martech at Sainsbury's
Dave Cain has joined Sainsbury's as Head of Martech, tasked with overseeing the grocery retailer's evolving marketing technology ecosystem. Cain arrives from LKQ UK & Ireland, where he previously directed digital strategy, innovation, and performance operations across the automotive group’s various subsidiaries.
Barron McCann secures major retail support contract with Entain
Retail technology specialist Barron McCann has signed a three-year deal to manage infrastructure and engineering support for more than 2,000 Ladbrokes and Coral betting shops across the UK. The agreement secures critical maintenance for Entain’s high street estate, including a four-hour hardware fix guarantee for the company's digital retail terminals.
Why Real-Time Inventory Syncing Is Critical for E-Commerce
Online retailers hemorrhage capital every time stock counts drift from reality. When a storefront displays items that have already left the warehouse, the resulting cancelled orders and refund fees erode margins, while frustrated customers migrate to competitors, permanently damaging brand reputation in an increasingly unforgiving digital marketplace.
Scaling HR: The Best Systems for the UK Mid-Market in 2026
When a growing company outgrows its SMB-focused HR software, the transition to enterprise-scale tools often creates more friction than it solves. For UK firms navigating the 200 to 2,000 employee threshold, the challenge lies in finding a platform that integrates payroll, compliance, and people data without requiring manual reconciliation.
How Chinese retail innovation is rewriting the global commerce playbook
With China's live commerce market hitting $900 billion, global retail is undergoing a forced evolution. New research from NIQ suggests that the rapid adoption of social and quick commerce models, once pioneered exclusively in the East, is now dictating how brands worldwide must rethink their digital and physical customer touchpoints.
Learning Pool rebrands to Confirm with new workforce enablement system
Workplace learning provider Learning Pool has rebranded as Confirm, simultaneously launching a Workforce Enablement System designed to integrate fragmented employee data. The platform aims to bridge the gap between learning, engagement, and performance metrics, providing retail leaders with a unified view of staff capability and business impact.
Sandra Gibbs joins Coles Group to lead supply chain operations
Sandra Gibbs has been appointed General Manager of Supply Chain Operations at Coles Group, transitioning to the retail giant following an eight-year tenure at Asahi Beverages. Her move comes as the company continues to refine its logistics and operational framework across Australia and New Zealand.
Landsec targets Gen Z with first standalone K-beauty store in Leeds
Trinity Leeds is set to become the first home for a standalone moida boutique, marking a strategic pivot by owner Landsec to capture the surging demand for Korean skincare among younger shoppers. The 1,400-square-foot space arrives this month, highlighting the growing influence of K-beauty within the UK retail landscape.
Wickes Hires Former bp Executive to Lead Change Portfolio
Kirsty Bond has joined home improvement retailer Wickes as its new Change Portfolio Lead, marking a return to the retail sector. Bond brings extensive experience to the role, having spent over five years managing business change at bp and a decade-long tenure at Tesco focused on digital transformation.
Sainsbury’s Under Scrutiny Over Argos Sale
Sainsbury’s has ignited industry backlash following the announcement of its decision to divest Argos, a move intended to refocus on its core grocery operations. The deal, valued at a minimum of £120 million, faces sharp criticism from former executives who describe the company's management of the brand as a failure.
Ocado Opens First Automated Fulfillment Center in South Korea
Ocado Group has officially launched its first automated customer fulfillment center in South Korea, marking a significant expansion of its partnership with Lotte Shopping. The facility, located in Busan, will utilize advanced robotics to serve a catchment area covering four million households across the Yeongnam region.
Revive Collagen Taps Sachi Skin Executive for E-commerce Growth
Frederica Watson has joined skincare brand Revive Collagen as E-commerce Director, moving from her previous role as Global Head of E-commerce & Performance at Sachi Skin to spearhead the company’s international expansion, with a specific strategic focus on navigating the complexities of the US market.
Asda and Morrisons deploy new AI tech to secure UK stores
Retailers are accelerating the adoption of digital intelligence to combat theft and streamline operations. Asda is expanding a crime-reporting pilot following a successful ten-week trial in London, while Morrisons is deploying Everseen’s computer vision across 200 stores to monitor self-checkout accuracy and reduce shrinkage.
Google and UK Retailers Set for IMRG Growth Summit
The UK e-commerce association IMRG has finalized the speaker lineup for its upcoming Growth Summit, set for September 23 at London’s ExCeL. The event aims to bridge the gap between retail ambition and practical AI implementation, addressing how businesses can navigate the complexities of modern digital growth.
Retail Tech Weekly: Delivery Shifts and AI-Driven Store Operations
Online shoppers are rewriting the rules of engagement, as new research reveals that delivery reliability now outweighs speed in driving brand loyalty. This shift arrives alongside a wave of investment in AI-powered loss prevention and fulfillment systems, signaling a broader transformation in how global retailers manage store safety and customer expectations.
AI Startup Swap Bolsters Executive Suite With Trio of Senior Hires
Cross-border e-commerce platform Swap has secured three high-profile executive appointments, signaling an aggressive push to scale its agentic storefront technology following a $149 million funding round. The company, which provides infrastructure for over 1,000 consumer brands, is now positioning itself to reshape the future of global retail commerce.
Walmart’s Justin Breton named to AAF Hall of Achievement
Justin Breton, head of partnerships and emerging experiences at Walmart, has been selected for induction into the American Advertising Federation’s Hall of Achievement. The honor recognizes marketing leaders under 40 who have demonstrated exceptional innovation, leadership, and service within the advertising industry.
Morrisons Taps Vision AI to Streamline Self-Checkout Queues
Morrisons is deploying Everseen’s Evercheck platform across 200 UK stores, utilizing real-time computer vision to automate the self-checkout experience. By providing on-screen prompts for item correction, the retailer aims to reduce friction at the till and allow store staff to pivot toward more direct customer service roles.
Boxbar Tech Scales Self-Service Automation at Brighton and Butlin’s
Self-service bar technology is becoming a staple of the British leisure industry, with Boxbar Tech expanding its footprint through high-capacity deployments at the On The Beach Brighton festival and a 119-terminal rollout across Butlin’s resorts, signaling a shift toward automated drink service at scale.
Lidl expands surplus food partnership to 200 stores
Lidl GB is scaling up its surplus food redistribution program, partnering with the app Olio to connect volunteers with excess fresh produce, meat, and bakery items. The initiative, managed alongside Neighbourly, is now live in 200 stores, with a full national rollout planned by the end of this year.