Corporate
Found 531 articles
Morrisons Daily scales delivery footprint via Snappy Shopper
Hundreds of Morrisons Daily convenience stores across England and Wales are joining the Snappy Shopper platform, marking a significant expansion of the rapid grocery delivery service. This rollout allows local households to access the full range of Morrisons essentials, including own-brand lines and multibuy promotions, directly through a digital interface.
Butlin's launches world's largest automated bar network
Holidaymakers at Butlin’s resorts in Bognor Regis, Minehead, and Skegness can now bypass traditional queues, as the operator has completed the installation of 119 automated BoxBar terminals. This rollout marks the first time a global holiday resort has integrated self-serve drink technology on such a massive scale.
Pernod Ricard Appoints New Data and Finance Leadership
Pernod Ricard has reshuffled its executive ranks, appointing Caroline Connan as Chief Data Officer and promoting Mauve Croizat to Executive Vice President of Finance and Technology. These strategic moves signal a continued push toward digital transformation as the spirits giant seeks to integrate AI and data insights into its global operations.
Jisp Sets Engagement Record With Packaging-Based Retail Technology
A six-week campaign by Jisp has achieved a 93% repeat participation rate, proving that interactive packaging can transform standard product surfaces into high-frequency digital media channels. By bypassing traditional QR codes, the activation secured over 1,000 product scans for an unnamed UK FMCG manufacturer, signaling a shift in consumer engagement strategies.
Pret A Manger Expands Heathrow Footprint With New Terminal 5 Flagship
A new flagship store at London Heathrow’s Terminal 5 marks the ninth location for Pret A Manger at the UK’s busiest airport. Designed to serve millions of international passengers, the arrival hall site introduces mobile handheld tills and seating for 104 people, aiming to streamline service during peak travel periods.
M&S expands zero-emission fleet with new DAF electric trucks
Ten new DAF XD electric trucks are joining the M&S logistics fleet, marking a significant step in the retailer’s strategy to reach Net Zero by 2040. The rollout introduces a pioneering integrated inverter system that powers trailer refrigeration directly from the vehicle’s battery, effectively eliminating the need for diesel cooling units.
Vusion Targets Physical Stores with In-Store Media Acquisition
“The next big digital media is the physical store,” says Thierry Gadou, CEO of Vusion, as his firm moves to acquire Barcelona-based In-Store Media. The deal aims to bridge the gap between online commerce economics and the high-traffic reality of brick-and-mortar shopping, turning foot traffic into measurable media value.
NRF 2026: Retail technology shifts from automation to human-centric AI
At New York’s Javits Centre, this year’s National Retail Federation gathering signaled a definitive departure from back-office efficiency toward customer-facing innovation. While artificial intelligence dominated the discourse, the most successful implementations moved beyond mere cost-cutting to prioritize the empowerment of store staff and the creation of seamless, phygital shopping experiences.
Johan Cruijff ArenA debuts Dutch football’s first autonomous bar
Fans at the Johan Cruijff ArenA can now bypass traditional queues using a new checkout-free bar, which debuted during the July 26 match between Ajax and Burnley. The kiosk uses AI-driven tracking to monitor product selection, automatically processing payments once visitors tap their smartphones upon entry to the space.
Frictionless Bar Debuts at NEC’s BP Pulse Live Arena
A new frictionless bar has opened at Birmingham’s BP Pulse Live Arena, integrating Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology with high-speed beer dispensing systems from Beerjet UK. Designed to maximize throughput, the installation features the largest array of entry gates currently operating outside of the United States.
Ocado engineering veteran Chris Revill departs for Australia
After a 15-year tenure at Ocado, Senior Engineering Operations Manager Chris Revill is stepping down to begin a new chapter in Australia. Revill, who spent years overseeing the Dordon hub in the West Midlands, leaves behind a legacy of record-breaking site operations and a dedicated internal technical training program.
Rina Chotai pivots to Aston Villa as Vice President of Technology
Rina Chotai has stepped down from her leadership role at Selfridges to spearhead the digital strategy at Aston Villa Football Club. The appointment marks a significant career transition for the former head of IT services, moving from the high-end retail sector into the fast-paced environment of professional sports.
Tesco Deploys Autonomous Cleaning Fleet Across 600 Express Stores
Tesco has finalized the first phase of a massive automation rollout, deploying autonomous cleaning robots into 600 Express locations across the UK. Marketed as co-bots, the machines are intended to handle routine floor maintenance, allowing store personnel to dedicate more time to direct customer service and floor management tasks.
Asiacell Unpacks AI Transformation in Upcoming Druid Webinar
Scaling automated support for 20 million subscribers requires more than just chatbot logic. On July 28, Asiacell and Druid AI will host a deep-dive webinar detailing how the telecommunications provider successfully automated 79% of its digital customer interactions while shifting half of its voice traffic to digital channels.
Starbucks veteran Anshu Gupta pivots to Nordstrom AI strategy role
After a decade at Starbucks, most recently serving as Chief of Staff, Anshu Gupta has joined Nordstrom to lead the retailer’s data and machine learning initiatives. As the new Director of Strategic Insights and AI Enablement, Gupta will oversee the integration of advanced analytics into the company’s core business operations.
Unilever and Tesco Deploy Immersive Retail Media for Persil Launch
Unilever is leveraging Tesco’s retail media network to launch its Persil Ultimate Capsules through a hybrid out-of-home campaign. By blending digital retargeting with high-visibility in-store activations, the brands are attempting to capture shoppers at every stage of the purchase journey, from initial online browsing to the physical shelf.
GS1 UK launches self-serve tool to accelerate QR code adoption
Small and challenger brands now have a streamlined path to digital transformation as GS1 UK debuts a self-serve QR code creation tool. Designed to level the playing field against retail giants, the platform aims to integrate product identifiers with transparent digital data, mirroring the transition already underway at Tesco.
Kingfisher and B&Q Appoint New Retail Media Leadership
Kingfisher has appointed former dunnhumby executive Jez Collins as Head of Data Monetisation, marking a strategic push into data-driven customer experiences across Europe. Simultaneously, the group’s home improvement retailer B&Q has tapped former Amazon leader Laura Karsunky to spearhead its own retail media division.
G2A.COM deploys autonomous AI agent to automate seller support
After a two-month trial managing 10,000 conversations weekly, digital marketplace G2A.COM has launched Dave, an autonomous customer support agent. Unlike standard chatbots, the system integrates directly with transaction histories and seller policies to resolve disputes over game keys, vouchers, and refunds without relying on generative text.
Retail Tech Weekly: AI Pricing, Automated Logistics, and Social Commerce
From The Very Group’s push into agentic AI pricing to Ocado’s latest automated fulfillment facility, the UK retail landscape is undergoing a rapid technological overhaul. As digital expectations shift, retailers are balancing high-tech operational upgrades with the growing necessity of securing physical store environments against rising retail crime.
Frasers Group Reimagines Dublin Retail with Massive Henry Street Flagship
A former Debenhams site on Dublin’s Henry Street has been transformed into an 85,000-square-foot retail and fitness destination. Frasers Group officially opened its new flagship today, housing a sprawling Sports Direct store and an Everlast Gyms+ facility inside the historic building that once served as a Roches department store.
Amazon Now Expands Rapid Grocery Delivery to Manchester
Amazon has brought its rapid delivery service, Amazon Now, to Manchester, marking the first expansion outside of London for the platform. The service promises to deliver thousands of household essentials and groceries to customers in thirty minutes or less, utilizing a network of micro-fulfillment centers located near residential areas.
Toby Pickard Joins 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Judging Panel
Toby Pickard, Retail Futures Senior Partner at IGD, has been named to the judging panel for the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards. A recognized expert in agentic AI and global retail trends, Pickard joins a diverse roster of industry leaders tasked with evaluating the year’s most significant advancements in omnichannel technology.
Retail Tech Weekly: From Tesco Deliveries to Humanoid Robotics
This week, the retail technology landscape shifted as Tesco expanded its rapid delivery footprint via Uber Eats and Deliveroo, while the robotics sector saw a massive $1.35 billion valuation for Humanoid. Meanwhile, Waitrose reached a digital milestone and Ocado secured a significant new automated fulfillment contract.
Ocado’s Mystery Retail Partner Sparks Speculation
A 530,000-square-foot logistics facility in Stoke-on-Trent has become the center of industry speculation after Ocado Group announced it would supply the site for an unnamed, fast-growing European retailer. With a scheduled launch in 2028, the partnership suggests a major shift for a company looking to scale its digital infrastructure.
Samsung turns London pub into foldable device showcase
A folded bar at 15 Bateman Street marks the launch of The Fold Inn, an immersive pop-up in Central London. Open through July 25, the venue reimagines the traditional British pub to mirror the design and versatility of Samsung’s latest Galaxy Z series foldable smartphones.
Agility Robotics Taps Michael Beer as CFO Ahead of Public Listing
Humanoid robotics firm Agility Robotics has appointed Michael Beer as Chief Financial Officer, a strategic move designed to bolster the company’s executive bench as it prepares for a public listing through a business combination with Churchill Capital Corp XI, a deal expected to generate over $620 million in gross proceeds.
Britain Hits Dietary Tipping Point as Food Habits Miss Sustainability Goals
Britain will reach its 2026 Planetary Health Diet Overshoot Day tomorrow, signaling that the nation has already consumed its recommended annual balance of sustainable, healthy foods. Research commissioned by Lidl GB highlights a widening gap between current dietary habits and the targets necessary to support both human and environmental health.
Sephora Debuts First UK Boutique Concept on Carnaby Street
London’s Carnaby Street now hosts Sephora’s first intimate boutique store in the UK, a 2,691-square-foot space designed to bring the brand’s premium beauty experience to the high street. The location serves as a strategic pivot toward smaller, city-focused formats that prioritize personalized service and rapid consumer access.
Shein Targets Hong Kong IPO Amidst Retail Tech Market Shifts
Shein is preparing for a pivotal Hong Kong listing as it seeks a valuation between $40 billion and $50 billion. This anticipated move follows previous failures in London and New York, placing the ultra-fast fashion giant under intense scrutiny as it attempts to appease investors wary of profitability and regulatory hurdles.