Corporate
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Iona Star Backs Zitcha to Scale Retail Media Infrastructure
Melbourne-based retail media platform Zitcha has secured an undisclosed investment from Iona Star to accelerate its international expansion. The firm plans to leverage the new capital to scale its infrastructure, which enables major global retailers to monetize first-party data across digital, mobile, social, and in-store channels.
DFS partners with Risilience to integrate climate risk analytics
The UK furniture giant DFS is shifting its approach to environmental oversight by adopting Risilience’s climate risk platform. The move aims to move beyond static reporting, allowing the retailer to embed dynamic climate intelligence directly into its supply chain management and broader business decision-making processes.
Skittles and Queer Britain launch interactive map of London's queer history
Eight historic London sites are now pinned on a digital platform designed to illuminate the city’s LGBTQ+ legacy. The Chosen Family Map, a collaboration between Skittles and the museum Queer Britain, documents spaces where marginalized communities cultivated safety, creative belonging, and connection long before modern civil rights protections.
Met Police and Major Retailers Launch Joint Front Against London Theft
Senior leaders from the Metropolitan Police and nearly 20 major retailers, including Tesco, M&S, and Ikea, convened at New Scotland Yard to finalize a new strategy for curbing retail crime. The pact aims to overhaul evidence sharing and accelerate the prosecution of prolific offenders targeting London’s high streets.
Sainsbury’s to Expand Facial Recognition Surveillance to 150 Stores
Before Christmas, Sainsbury’s will deploy AI-powered facial recognition software across more than 150 locations, scaling up a partnership with Facewatch. The grocery giant cites the system’s ability to deter repeat offenders, claiming that nine out of ten individuals flagged by the technology avoid returning to stores where the system is active.
Craig Benson departs Raley’s after 27-year technology tenure
“I began my journey with Raley’s in 1999 as a helpdesk intern,” said Craig Benson, marking the end of a near three-decade career at the American grocery retailer. The Chief Information Technology Officer announced his departure this week, capping a long tenure that saw him rise from entry-level support to executive leadership.
BR-DGE Secures £10 Million to Scale Payment Infrastructure
UK-based payments technology firm BR-DGE has closed a £10 million funding round, bringing US-based Bettor Capital into its investor fold. The fresh capital arrives as the company shifts its focus from its established foothold in gaming toward broader enterprise sectors, including recent partnerships with The Hut Group and Betfred.
Lidl Brings Its Loyalty Ecosystem to the United States
Lidl is officially entering the U.S. market with its Lidl Plus loyalty platform, marking the 32nd country to adopt the digital rewards scheme. The expansion represents a significant push to unify the retailer's global customer experience under a single technological umbrella, aiming to integrate millions of shoppers into one ecosystem.
Wonder and Zipline to launch drone food delivery in Texas
“By taking traffic out of the equation, Wonder can now offer customers their menu with confidence that every meal will arrive exactly as their chefs intended,” says Chris Kenney, head of national partnerships for Zipline, as the two companies prepare to launch autonomous drone delivery across Texas by January 2027.
McKeever’s Market adopts EBT payments for Instacart smart carts
Shoppers using EBT SNAP benefits at McKeever’s Market locations in Missouri and Kansas can now pay directly at the shelf. Instacart has integrated EBT processing into its Caper Carts, removing the need for customers to visit a traditional checkout lane to complete their grocery purchases with government-issued benefit cards.
Nectar360 secures IAB Europe retail media certification
Nectar360 has become the first UK retail media network to earn accreditation under IAB Europe's Retail Media Certification Programme. Following an independent audit by ABC, the Sainsbury's-owned business has validated its measurement methodologies for off-site display and video advertising across platforms including Meta and Google.
A systematic approach to building brand visibility
Building brand visibility is often treated as a singular creative challenge, but for Skylory Corp, it functions as a disciplined, repeatable sequence. By moving beyond isolated campaigns toward a structured, iterative cycle, companies can navigate an increasingly fragmented media landscape where audiences are scattered across diverse digital platforms.
GXO Logistics Secures Five-Year Contract Extension with Co-op
GXO Logistics has finalized a five-year contract extension to manage transport operations for Co-op, strengthening a long-standing partnership that supports deliveries to more than 1,000 stores across the United Kingdom from key hubs in Avonmouth, Andover, and Lea Green.
SticksʹnʹSushi Deploys Shift4 Tech Across European Footprint
SticksʹnʹSushi is overhauling its service infrastructure by integrating Shift4 payment and ordering technology across its 32 locations in the UK and Europe. The partnership aims to streamline the guest experience by equipping staff with handheld devices capable of processing orders and payments directly at the table.
AI Startup Pie Secures $19.5 Million to Automate Small Business Growth
Small business owners have long struggled with the high costs of marketing agencies, but a new player is attempting to bridge that gap. Pie, an AI platform designed to handle customer acquisition and administrative tasks, has raised $19.5 million in a Series A funding round led by Lightspeed Venture Partners.
Keells Supermarkets Digitizes Bakery Operations Across Sri Lanka
With 148 locations across Sri Lanka, supermarket operator Keells is integrating Cybake ISB software to manage its in-store bakeries and fresh food counters. The move aims to streamline production forecasting for items ranging from rice and curry dishes to pizza, with a full network rollout scheduled for completion by September.
Heler Foods to debut Tetra Pak Factory OS in Cheshire creamery
British dairy producer Heler Foods is partnering with Tetra Pak to install the Factory OS platform at its Nantwich facility. This deployment, scheduled for completion by January 2028, marks the first time the advanced automation system will be utilized in a Northern European creamery to overhaul traditional cheesemaking processes.
UK merchants welcome upcoming BNPL regulations
With the FCA’s new Deferred Payment Credit rules set to take effect, 64% of British business owners view the pending regulation as a growth catalyst. Rather than fearing the oversight, merchants expect the shift to bolster consumer trust and transparency, ultimately creating a more sustainable long-term model for flexible payments.
New Look integrates Fermat AI to accelerate fashion design cycles
British retailer New Look is deploying the AI-driven visualization platform Fermat to streamline its product development process. By enabling design teams to generate virtual renders and test multiple styling iterations, the company aims to reduce its reliance on traditional sampling and pivot more rapidly to changing consumer preferences.
Footasylum taps THG Fulfil for warehouse automation rollout
Streetwear retailer Footasylum is overhauling its logistics by partnering with THG Fulfil to deploy an automated AutoStore system. The project, which marks THG Fulfil’s first external implementation of the technology, aims to streamline operations by housing the retailer's entire live stock range within a high-density robotic grid.
Retail Tech Trends: AI and Infrastructure Overhauls Define June
Artificial intelligence took center stage at Shoptalk Europe in Barcelona, as 4,500 industry leaders grappled with the gap between experimental AI adoption and tangible business impact. This pivot toward practical execution—rather than mere hype—marked the defining trend for a month defined by major operational transformations across the UK retail sector.
eBay Tests Human-Centric Live Commerce at London Debut
Under the glow of London’s retail scene, eBay transformed a studio space into its inaugural Live Lab, gathering creators and entrepreneurs to test the boundaries of digital shopping. The event moved beyond simple transactions, focusing on the intimate connection between sellers and buyers that defines the modern live commerce experience.
Lando Norris’ Quadrant brand pivots to physical retail in London
Formula 1 driver Lando Norris is bringing his lifestyle brand, Quadrant, into the physical world with a pop-up store at Outernet London. Launching ahead of the British Grand Prix, the activation marks a strategic shift for the digital-first community, utilizing Shopify’s commerce infrastructure to bridge the gap between screens and storefronts.
East of England Co-op Adds Uber Eats to Delivery Network
The East of England Co-op has integrated its logistics with Uber Eats, launching rapid grocery delivery services across 33 locations in East Anglia. This expansion allows local shoppers to access household essentials and fresh food items directly through the delivery platform, augmenting the retailer's existing digital fulfillment options.
One mistake is all it takes for shoppers to abandon AI agents
Sixty percent of British consumers would immediately stop using an AI shopping assistant after a single error, according to new research from ACI Worldwide. This reveals a profound lack of confidence in autonomous technology, as shoppers demand more control over their finances before entrusting them to algorithmic decision-makers.
Coles Group Taps Chad Burke to Lead Customer Fulfilment Operations
Chad Burke, formerly the head of the retailer's pet business Swaggle, has been appointed General Manager of customer fulfilment centre operations at Coles Group. A veteran of the organization since 2016, Burke is tasked with scaling operational efficiency and advancing the company's omnichannel strategy across its national network.
Sheffield United Taps Fanatics for Long-Term Retail Overhaul
Sheffield United has entered an exclusive, long-term retail partnership with merchandise giant Fanatics to overhaul the club's e-commerce and physical store operations. The deal arrives just as the Blades prepare for a high-profile refurbishment of their Bramall Lane retail space, set to coincide with the launch of new adidas kits.
Asda promotes Christopher Jones to lead retail technology strategy
After holding the position on an interim basis for the past year, Christopher Jones has been appointed as Senior Director of Retail Technology at Asda. The promotion marks a new chapter for the veteran executive, who joined the UK grocery retailer five years ago following an 18-year tenure at Sainsbury’s.
June Retail Tech: From AI Shopping Assistants to Resale Innovation
June saw a surge in retail innovation, headlined by Bodycare’s high-street comeback and Walmart’s aggressive expansion of AI-driven shopping experiences. Major players from Asda to Tesco are doubling down on digital shelf labels and autonomous systems to streamline operations and sharpen their competitive edge in an increasingly automated landscape.
Retailers struggle to bridge the gap between loyalty and AI readiness
While retailers view artificial intelligence as the primary engine for future customer loyalty, a significant majority admit their current infrastructure cannot support the transition. According to research from HyperFinity, only 29% of industry leaders believe their existing systems are fully prepared for the deployment of agentic AI.