Corporate
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Adam Davies joins Card Factory following decade at Costcutter
After a ten-year tenure at Costcutter, Adam Davies has transitioned to a new role as Store Technology Business Analyst at Card Factory. His departure marks the end of a decade-long period during which he spearheaded significant retail technology initiatives, including the expansion of the ActivCPoS platform across 200 locations.
Kmart Australia recruits Amazon veteran for national security role
Suzanne Frazer has joined Kmart Australia as its new National Investigations Manager, marking a significant transition from her previous leadership role at Amazon. The appointment signals a focus on strengthening loss prevention strategies for the major retailer as she steps into the role effective August 3rd.
John Lewis Expands Home Fitness Offering With Northern Gym Equipment
John Lewis has integrated Northern Gym Equipment into its online platform, signaling a strategic move to capitalize on the growing consumer demand for premium home fitness gear. The partnership introduces a curated range of equipment designed to blend high-performance functionality with aesthetic appeal for modern living spaces.
Urban Outfitters adds InPost lockers to UK checkout options
Urban Outfitters has integrated InPost into its UK online checkout, allowing customers to select parcel lockers or collection points for order delivery. This partnership leverages InPost’s network of over 15,000 automated locations, providing shoppers with 24/7 access to their packages and bypassing the unpredictability of traditional home delivery.
Pie Secures Amex Ventures Backing to Scale AI Growth Platform
Pie, an AI-driven platform tailored for small business growth, has closed an undisclosed investment from Amex Ventures. The fresh capital arrives shortly after the startup emerged from stealth mode, bolstering a $19.5 million Series A round that drew support from Lightspeed Venture Partners and other prominent institutional investors.
Bodycare secures funding to fuel AI-driven retail comeback
Following a total collapse into administration last year, the value retailer Bodycare has secured a fresh round of investment led by Arāya Ventures. The injection of capital aims to accelerate a high-tech overhaul of the brand, which plans to expand its footprint to 200 locations over the next five years.
Aldi and Arla Launch UV Tagging Trial to Track Milk Bottle Recycling
Aldi and Arla have launched an eight-week pilot program to monitor the recycling lifecycle of milk bottles using invisible UV tagging technology. By integrating Polytag’s tracking system, the companies aim to generate real-time data on how packaging moves through the waste stream and improve overall circularity in their supply chains.
Alejandro Sanchez Alezard joins Foot Locker as IT Lead Engineer
Alejandro Sanchez Alezard, a veteran retail technology strategist with experience at Nike and Ulta Beauty, has joined Foot Locker. He steps into the role of IT Lead Engineer for PoS Foundation, marking his return to retail store systems following a recent tenure in the financial services sector.
Nissin Foods Overhauls Supply Chain with AI-Driven Planning
Nissin Foods USA is replacing its legacy manual processes with an integrated AI-driven supply chain platform, partnering with Blue Yonder and Highspring to overhaul its demand and supply planning capabilities as part of a broader digital transformation strategy.
Lynda Petherick steps up as New Look CEO
UK fashion retailer New Look has appointed Lynda Petherick as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a swift ascent for the executive who joined the company as Chief Information Officer only two years ago.
B&M completes nationwide Point of Sale refresh with PMC
Value retailer B&M is finishing a comprehensive overhaul of its checkout infrastructure, replacing legacy systems across its 790-plus UK stores. Working alongside technology partner PMC and software provider Flooid, the chain aims to accelerate transaction speeds and reduce friction for customers and staff across its entire retail estate.
Why AI agents are forcing a retail identity crisis
For two decades, retail technology focused on human shoppers browsing websites or store aisles. That era is ending as AI agents begin acting on behalf of consumers. As these digital intermediaries take over, brands face an urgent challenge: adapting their strategies to win the attention of algorithms rather than just people.
Sara Coverdale departs Asda following Project Future transformation
After four years steering Asda’s complex IT infrastructure overhaul, Enterprise Architect Sara Coverdale is exiting the retailer. She will relocate to Stockholm to join supply chain specialist Optilon, marking the end of a tenure defined by the high-stakes Project Future initiative that rebuilt the supermarket’s entire digital landscape from scratch.
Sainsbury’s Faces Backlash Over Argos Sale
Conflict erupted following Sainsbury’s announcement that it is offloading the Argos retail chain to Swift Partners for at least £120 million. The move, intended to streamline operations, has drawn sharp condemnation from industry insiders who argue the supermarket giant fundamentally mismanaged the brand’s potential over the last eight years.
Inside Sephora’s new Carnaby Street boutique
Stepping into Sephora’s first UK boutique on Carnaby Street, the immediate impression is one of curated focus rather than crowded shelves. At 2,691 square feet, the location eschews the sprawling footprint of traditional shopping centre stores in favor of a tighter, high-energy edit that bridges the gap between digital trends and physical retail.
Jade Sharpe Departs Marks & Spencer After Three-Year Loyalty Lead
After three years steering the transformation of the Sparks loyalty programme, Jade Sharpe has announced her departure from Marks & Spencer. The executive is leaving the high-street retailer to return to her native Guernsey and launch her own consulting practice, marking the end of a tenure defined by digital growth.
Tom Ingrem moves to St Austell Brewery as Technology Director
Tom Ingrem has transitioned to the hospitality sector, taking the role of Technology Director at St Austell Brewery. The appointment follows a five-year tenure at cruise retailer Harding+, where he served in various leadership positions, most recently as Director of Transformation, overseeing significant business and technology change.
Retailers Race to Automate as Drones and Smart Carts Hit the Floor
From drone-delivered groceries in Central Florida to AI-powered smart carts in British supermarkets, the retail landscape is shifting toward extreme automation. Last week saw major players like Walmart, Tesco, and Morrisons accelerate the deployment of robotics and frictionless technology to solve persistent operational bottlenecks and labor shortages.
AS Watson CEO: Automation drives warehouse inclusion
Stepping onto the floor of an automated warehouse in China, AS Watson Group CEO Dr. Malina Ngai discovered that advanced logistics technology does more than accelerate fulfillment speeds. By removing the physical burden of heavy lifting, the company has successfully expanded its female workforce ratio to 60 percent.
Footasylum launches robotic fulfillment system with THG Fulfil
Footasylum has officially activated its first AutoStore robotic system, marking a major shift in the retailer’s supply chain infrastructure. Operations Director James McGhee led the ribbon-cutting ceremony, confirming the deployment of the R5+ robot as the centerpiece of a high-capacity automation project managed by THG Fulfil.
Ashton Gate Stadium Deploys Amazon Just Walk Out Tech for Matchdays
Ashton Gate Stadium has installed Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology, becoming the first Gallagher Premiership Rugby venue to feature checkout-free bars. The initiative, launching for the 2026/27 season, aims to streamline the fan experience by reducing wait times at three new Tap & Go locations across the Bristol facility.
Becki Greene Appointed Head of Customer Experience at East of England Co-op
Becki Greene has transitioned into the role of Head of Customer and Member Experience at East of England Co-op, marking a shift from her previous career in the London fashion sector to a position focused on community-centric retail within the region where she grew up.
Navid Jilow departs Belstaff after five-year technology overhaul
After a five-year tenure steering the digital evolution of heritage brand Belstaff, Director of Technology Navid Jilow has officially stepped down. His exit marks the conclusion of a significant transformation period that saw the luxury retailer overhaul its foundational systems, internal processes, and technology infrastructure.
Smart Carts and Robots: How UK Retailers Are Automating In-Store Life
From AI-powered trolleys in Preston to autonomous floor scrubbers spanning 600 Tesco Express stores, British retailers are aggressively integrating robotics to solve operational bottlenecks. These deployments signal a broader shift where physical shops are evolving into tech-heavy environments designed to optimize labor and improve the customer journey.
UNIT AI Secures $12 Million to Scale Warehouse Automation
UNIT AI has secured $12 million in funding to accelerate the deployment of its modular, AI-driven platform for e-commerce fulfillment and returns. The investment, co-led by Prologis Ventures, Dynamo Ventures, and Ground Up Ventures, aims to help retailers bypass traditional infrastructure barriers by enabling enterprise-grade automation in weeks rather than months.
US Retail Theft Stabilises as Fraud Schemes Shift Focus
Retailers are seeing a cooling in physical shoplifting, with incidents dropping by 12.4% over the past year. However, the industry remains on high alert as criminal activity migrates toward sophisticated digital fraud and organized external theft schemes that bypass traditional in-store security measures.
Dan McGrath Rejoins RTIH Innovation Awards Judging Panel
Dan McGrath, Head of Customer Operations at JD Sports, has rejoined the judging panel for the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards. His return brings nearly 16 years of retail expertise to a team tasked with evaluating global technological advancements that bridge the gap between physical and digital shopping environments.
Autonomous Cleaning and AI Carts: Retail Tech’s Latest Milestones
Tesco has finalized the initial phase of a massive automation rollout, deploying cleaning robots across 600 Express stores to handle routine floor maintenance. This deployment, the largest of its kind in the UK convenience sector, highlights a broader industry shift toward integrating robotics and AI to reshape the modern shopping experience.
Wendy’s strengthens UK digital team with new product manager
Tony Weedon, formerly of Nando’s UK & Ireland, has joined The Wendy’s Company as Digital Product Manager. His appointment marks a strategic step in the fast-food chain's aggressive European expansion, as the brand looks to scale its digital infrastructure following a successful return to the British market.
Barrows Connected Store Promotes Tim Bagwell to CTO
Barrows Connected Store has elevated Tim Bagwell to Chief Technology Officer, signaling a strategic shift to deepen its footprint in the retail media sector. Formerly the firm’s Chief Product & Data Officer, Bagwell will now steer the company’s global technology roadmap, with a heavy emphasis on artificial intelligence and platform innovation.