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Ireland’s AI paradox: High adoption meets deep consumer hesitation
Ireland has surged to the forefront of European AI adoption, with 45% of the population utilizing generative tools. Yet, this rapid integration into daily life—from streaming algorithms to banking fraud detection—masks a growing friction between the convenience consumers demand and the persistent anxiety regarding data privacy and algorithmic transparency.
Flipdish AI Phone Agent hits 10,000 orders for UK and Irish eateries
Independent restaurants across the UK and Ireland are offloading their busiest phone lines to automation, with a new AI agent facilitating over 10,000 orders. The technology, designed to capture revenue lost during peak service hours, has already generated more than £230,000 in sales for local hospitality businesses.
Why one in five Brits would rather have AI pick their Christmas gifts
More than a fifth of British consumers now trust artificial intelligence more than their own partners to select the perfect Christmas gift. A survey of 2,000 people suggests that for many, the machine’s ability to analyze preferences objectively outweighs the personal touch of a significant other.
Gen Z shoppers are ditching brands over opaque AI use
Generation Z is driving the retail shift toward artificial intelligence, yet their rapid adoption comes with a volatile catch. New research from SAP Engagement Cloud reveals that while this demographic frequently relies on AI for purchasing, 43% of them have already abandoned brands due to concerns over how the technology is deployed.
Christophe Parcot takes charge at European Media Marketplace
The European Media Marketplace has appointed industry veteran Christophe Parcot as Non-Executive Chairman, tasking the former Yahoo and Teads executive with steering the coalition toward broader market adoption as it transitions from its 2026 launch phase into full-scale operational execution.
Nadya Maffei leaves Shopify to lead retail strategy at Adyen
After three years at e-commerce giant Shopify, Nadya Maffei is transitioning to the payments sector. Maffei, who previously served as Senior Sales Leadership for North America, has been appointed Global Head of Retail at Adyen, where she plans to leverage her extensive experience to scale the company’s financial technology platform.
Cristina Holm on the AI Hype and Why Magic Mirrors Miss the Mark
Cristina Holm, co-founder of My Secret Stylist, argues that the retail sector is currently obsessed with generic AI buzzwords while ignoring practical, customer-centric solutions. She contends that many modern digital innovations in physical stores, specifically virtual try-on mirrors, create operational bottlenecks rather than solving consumer problems.
WorkJam expands AI-driven frontline platform across Catalyst Brands
Catalyst Brands is rolling out the WorkJam frontline operations platform to approximately 70,000 North American associates, spanning its entire portfolio including JCPenney, Aéropostale, Brooks Brothers, Lucky Brand, and Nautica to unify digital employee management and introduce conversational AI support.
Costco expands Uber Eats delivery to 47 US states
Costco and Uber Technologies have scaled their partnership across the United States, extending on-demand delivery services to 47 states. The expansion integrates nearly 600 warehouse locations into the Uber Eats platform, significantly broadening access to the retailer’s inventory for members nationwide.
The Entertainer taps THG Commerce for digital overhaul
UK toy retailer The Entertainer has appointed THG Commerce as its long-term partner to rebuild its digital storefront. The multi-year collaboration aims to transform the brand’s online presence by integrating advanced AI tools, with a full platform launch scheduled for spring 2027.
Marketing AI startup Profound secures $180m to scale brand intelligence
Profound, an AI platform designed to help brands navigate the shift from traditional search to generative AI, has raised $180 million in a Series D funding round. Co-led by Sequoia Capital and Kleiner Perkins, the investment values the company at $1.8 billion as it expands its reach into enterprise marketing.
Westfield Rise Deploys AI to Track Physical Store Traffic
Shoppers exposed to advertising at Westfield’s London and Stratford City malls are 27% more likely to visit a brand’s physical store, according to new data from the company's in-house media agency, Westfield Rise. The group is now rolling out AI-driven measurement tools to quantify the impact of offline campaigns.
Shopify President Harley Finkelstein joins StackAdapt as advisor
Harley Finkelstein, the long-standing President of Shopify, has joined the board of advisors at StackAdapt, a Canadian artificial intelligence advertising platform. The move marks a significant addition for the Toronto-based tech firm as it looks to scale its global operations and refine its automated marketing technology.
Hanshow positions Store Digital Twin as retail's future operating system
At NRF 2026: Retail’s Big Show Europe, Hanshow is shifting the conversation from simple AI deployment to building a unified operational foundation. By creating a Store Digital Twin, the company aims to provide the necessary framework for retailers to harmonize real-time physical sensing, intelligent decision-making, and automated execution.
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Waitrose extends Trust Retail partnership through 2031
Waitrose has formally extended its strategic partnership with Trust Retail for an additional five years, securing the inventory management provider’s role through November 2031. This commitment arrives as the supermarket chain prepares to accelerate the deployment of real-time stock tracking technology across its entire store network.
Complir Secures $11 Million to Automate Retail Compliance
Copenhagen-based startup Complir has raised $11 million in a seed funding round led by General Catalyst. The company provides an AI-driven infrastructure platform designed to help global retailers and consumer brands navigate the increasingly complex web of international product compliance regulations and safety standards.
Sean Morris joins AO as Transformation Programme Manager
Sean Morris has stepped into the role of Transformation Programme Manager at online retailer AO, following his departure from Footasylum. The move marks a new chapter for the executive, who previously led transformation initiatives and project management at Footasylum, with prior experience at THG and Marks and Spencer.
GXO and Exotec deploy Skypod automation for Guess in the Netherlands
GXO Logistics has integrated Exotec’s Skypod system into its Venlo facility to streamline fashion fulfilment for Guess. The installation marks a significant shift toward high-precision automated logistics, capable of processing up to 70,000 items daily to meet the complex demands of seasonal retail spikes across EMEA and Asia markets.
Quadient Expands UK Parcel Locker Network Through James Hall & Co. Deal
Quadient has partnered with James Hall & Co., the primary retailer and distributor for SPAR in Northern England, to integrate its automated parcel lockers into the convenience store network. The collaboration aims to streamline last-mile logistics by providing 24/7 access for deliveries, returns, and various customer services across the company’s retail estate.
Affirm Brings Buy Now, Pay Later Payments to Costco UK
Costco Wholesale has expanded its partnership with fintech firm Affirm into the United Kingdom, allowing members to split online purchase costs into monthly payments. This move follows the successful launch of the collaboration in the United States last year, marking a shift in how the retailer handles high-value transactions.
David’s Bridal launches AI platform to bridge gap with wedding vendors
David’s Bridal is leveraging its vast repository of first-party wedding data to launch Pearl Connect, an AI-powered B2B platform designed to streamline how wedding professionals connect with prospective clients. The tool aims to replace fragmented communication channels with a centralized hub that provides vendors with actionable context on every lead.
Buywander Secures $21 Million to Scale Inventory Liquidation Model
Buywander, an auction-based marketplace specializing in returned and overstocked retail goods, has closed a $21 million Series A funding round. The investment brings the company’s total capital raised to $28 million as it prepares to expand its physical warehouse footprint and infrastructure across the United States.
Uber Eats expands German footprint with REWE grocery partnership
German supermarket giant REWE has officially joined the Uber Eats delivery platform, marking a significant expansion for the service's retail operations. The partnership kicks off this week in Frankfurt, offering customers access to a broad range of products through the Uber and Uber Eats mobile applications.
AuraVeo turns coffee bags into direct subscription channels
Coffee brand El Caficultor is transforming its physical product packaging into a digital sales engine. By integrating AuraVeo’s cloud-based technology directly into front-of-pack designs, the company aims to convert one-off retail purchases into recurring subscription relationships, bypassing the anonymity that typically plagues traditional shelf-based coffee sales.
Retail Tech Trends: From AI Shopping Assistants to Cinema Automation
A surge in agentic AI adoption and innovative in-store fulfillment models dominated the retail landscape this past week, signaling a shift toward more automated consumer experiences. From cinema chains digitizing the snack counter to partnerships reshaping grocery delivery, the industry is accelerating its integration of complex digital infrastructure.
UK Consumer Confidence Hits Five-Year High as Retailers Brace for Autumn
British household optimism has reached a five-year peak, with PwC data recording a positive index score of +1 in August. While this rebound marks a sharp recovery from April’s -13 slump, experts warn that the momentum remains fragile as energy costs, potential tax hikes, and inflationary pressures loom over the Golden Quarter.
Brian Franz named Chief Technology and Transformation Officer at Estée Lauder
Brian Franz has been promoted to Chief Technology and Transformation Officer at The Estée Lauder Companies, an expanded role that consolidates his oversight of the firm’s global technology, data, and analytics infrastructure with its enterprise-wide transformation strategy.
Pets at Home strengthens leadership with double executive appointment
Pets at Home is bolstering its executive team with the return of industry veteran Phil Hackney as Supply Chain and Distribution Director and the appointment of Sarah Findlater as Group Chief People Officer, as the retailer moves to sharpen its strategic focus across its retail, veterinary, and insurance operations.
Dunnhumby forum highlights shift toward agentic retail commerce
Customer data science firm dunnhumby gathered industry leaders in Bentonville, Arkansas, last week to map the future of retail, with agentic commerce emerging as the central theme. The event united brands, investors, and technology startups to address the urgent need for proving value at speed in an omnichannel market.
Amazon expands checkout-free tech to over 400 global locations
Amazon has officially crossed the 400-store threshold for its Just Walk Out technology, cementing the platform's footprint across international retail and entertainment hubs. The expansion includes recent deployments at high-traffic venues such as Soldier Field, Kroger Field, and Spartan Stadium, signaling a aggressive push into the sports and events sector.