Retail Tech Roundup: From TikTok Shops to Autonomous Kitchens

Yankee Candle has officially entered the UK social commerce space, launching a digital storefront on TikTok Shop in partnership with THG Commerce. The move aims to capture growing consumer interest in shopping directly through social media feeds, with the brand planning to support its debut with live shopping events and curated content.

Meanwhile, Murphy USA is testing an autonomous foodservice platform developed by Automated Retail Technologies at select locations. The system, which features White Castle, allows customers to order hot meals via touchscreen, with preparation and delivery handled entirely by a self-contained robotic unit. Similarly, the Principality Stadium in Cardiff has introduced Amazon’s 'Just Walk Out' technology, launching frictionless stores that allow fans to bypass traditional queues.

Elsewhere, digital transformation remains a priority for major players. Ocado Group is building a new customer fulfilment centre in Denmark for its partner nemlig, while Burger King UK has centralized its pricing operations using Openr. From the integration of game-linked loyalty rewards at Sinclair Oil to the deployment of AI-powered kiosks by Eyebot and QUAY, retailers are increasingly relying on specialized tech stacks to streamline operations and personalize the path to purchase.