Corporate
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Facegym expands UK footprint with new Leeds studio
Facial fitness brand Facegym is set to open its second standalone studio outside of London, securing a 1,772-square-foot space within the Victoria Gate shopping destination in Leeds.
Autonomous retail shifts from experimental tech to essential utility
When Amazon shuttered its Go and Fresh physical stores, many observers prematurely declared the death of cashierless shopping. Yet, the technology did not vanish; it simply migrated. By pivoting away from complex grocery environments toward high-traffic hubs, autonomous retail has successfully transitioned from a high-risk experiment into quiet, functional infrastructure.
Just Eat expands AI voice ordering across European markets
Just Eat Takeaway.com is scaling its conversational AI voice assistant across Europe, marking a push to become the first major on-demand delivery platform to deploy this technology at such breadth. The tool, which launched earlier this year in the UK and Germany, is now arriving on iOS and Android devices continent-wide.
Supermercados El Jamón begins three-year digital shelf label rollout
Spanish grocery chain Supermercados El Jamón is launching a major digital transformation, committing to the installation of nearly three million electronic shelf labels across its southern Spain network. The three-year initiative aims to refine store environments by prioritizing technological innovation to support both in-store teams and the customer experience.
Huck’s Market hits $100,000 weekly milestone in delivery surge
Midwestern convenience retailer Huck’s Market has reached $100,000 in weekly delivery sales, a benchmark that underscores the success of its centralized digital commerce strategy. By consolidating fragmented operations through a partnership with Vroom Delivery, the 135-store chain has rapidly scaled its omnichannel reach across both first-party and third-party platforms.
AI research startup Echovane secures $1 million in funding
Market research startup Echovane has raised $1 million in a funding round co-led by Titan Capital and Neon Fund to scale its automated research platform. The company, founded by former product leaders from Amazon, Stripe, and Gojek, aims to replace manual research processes with autonomous AI agents that handle end-to-end studies.
Linda Johansen-James on why AI must serve the human connection
For Linda Johansen-James, founder of International Retail Group, the true measure of retail technology isn't its capacity to automate, but its ability to empower. In a landscape increasingly dominated by algorithms, she argues that the most effective tools are those that enhance human relationships rather than replace them.
Why Retailers Are Failing Their Own Storefronts
Retailers are pouring capital into physical expansion as a strategic demand driver, yet many continue to treat the store sign as a disposable line item. While digital acquisition costs climb, the fascia above the door remains the most undervalued brand asset in the modern retail portfolio.
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.