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Asiacell Unpacks AI Transformation in Upcoming Druid Webinar
Scaling automated support for 20 million subscribers requires more than just chatbot logic. On July 28, Asiacell and Druid AI will host a deep-dive webinar detailing how the telecommunications provider successfully automated 79% of its digital customer interactions while shifting half of its voice traffic to digital channels.
Starbucks veteran Anshu Gupta pivots to Nordstrom AI strategy role
After a decade at Starbucks, most recently serving as Chief of Staff, Anshu Gupta has joined Nordstrom to lead the retailer’s data and machine learning initiatives. As the new Director of Strategic Insights and AI Enablement, Gupta will oversee the integration of advanced analytics into the company’s core business operations.
Unilever and Tesco Deploy Immersive Retail Media for Persil Launch
Unilever is leveraging Tesco’s retail media network to launch its Persil Ultimate Capsules through a hybrid out-of-home campaign. By blending digital retargeting with high-visibility in-store activations, the brands are attempting to capture shoppers at every stage of the purchase journey, from initial online browsing to the physical shelf.
GS1 UK launches self-serve tool to accelerate QR code adoption
Small and challenger brands now have a streamlined path to digital transformation as GS1 UK debuts a self-serve QR code creation tool. Designed to level the playing field against retail giants, the platform aims to integrate product identifiers with transparent digital data, mirroring the transition already underway at Tesco.
Kingfisher and B&Q Appoint New Retail Media Leadership
Kingfisher has appointed former dunnhumby executive Jez Collins as Head of Data Monetisation, marking a strategic push into data-driven customer experiences across Europe. Simultaneously, the group’s home improvement retailer B&Q has tapped former Amazon leader Laura Karsunky to spearhead its own retail media division.
G2A.COM deploys autonomous AI agent to automate seller support
After a two-month trial managing 10,000 conversations weekly, digital marketplace G2A.COM has launched Dave, an autonomous customer support agent. Unlike standard chatbots, the system integrates directly with transaction histories and seller policies to resolve disputes over game keys, vouchers, and refunds without relying on generative text.
Retail Tech Weekly: AI Pricing, Automated Logistics, and Social Commerce
From The Very Group’s push into agentic AI pricing to Ocado’s latest automated fulfillment facility, the UK retail landscape is undergoing a rapid technological overhaul. As digital expectations shift, retailers are balancing high-tech operational upgrades with the growing necessity of securing physical store environments against rising retail crime.
Frasers Group Reimagines Dublin Retail with Massive Henry Street Flagship
A former Debenhams site on Dublin’s Henry Street has been transformed into an 85,000-square-foot retail and fitness destination. Frasers Group officially opened its new flagship today, housing a sprawling Sports Direct store and an Everlast Gyms+ facility inside the historic building that once served as a Roches department store.
Amazon Now Expands Rapid Grocery Delivery to Manchester
Amazon has brought its rapid delivery service, Amazon Now, to Manchester, marking the first expansion outside of London for the platform. The service promises to deliver thousands of household essentials and groceries to customers in thirty minutes or less, utilizing a network of micro-fulfillment centers located near residential areas.
Toby Pickard Joins 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Judging Panel
Toby Pickard, Retail Futures Senior Partner at IGD, has been named to the judging panel for the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards. A recognized expert in agentic AI and global retail trends, Pickard joins a diverse roster of industry leaders tasked with evaluating the year’s most significant advancements in omnichannel technology.
Retail Tech Weekly: From Tesco Deliveries to Humanoid Robotics
This week, the retail technology landscape shifted as Tesco expanded its rapid delivery footprint via Uber Eats and Deliveroo, while the robotics sector saw a massive $1.35 billion valuation for Humanoid. Meanwhile, Waitrose reached a digital milestone and Ocado secured a significant new automated fulfillment contract.
Ocado’s Mystery Retail Partner Sparks Speculation
A 530,000-square-foot logistics facility in Stoke-on-Trent has become the center of industry speculation after Ocado Group announced it would supply the site for an unnamed, fast-growing European retailer. With a scheduled launch in 2028, the partnership suggests a major shift for a company looking to scale its digital infrastructure.
Samsung turns London pub into foldable device showcase
A folded bar at 15 Bateman Street marks the launch of The Fold Inn, an immersive pop-up in Central London. Open through July 25, the venue reimagines the traditional British pub to mirror the design and versatility of Samsung’s latest Galaxy Z series foldable smartphones.
Agility Robotics Taps Michael Beer as CFO Ahead of Public Listing
Humanoid robotics firm Agility Robotics has appointed Michael Beer as Chief Financial Officer, a strategic move designed to bolster the company’s executive bench as it prepares for a public listing through a business combination with Churchill Capital Corp XI, a deal expected to generate over $620 million in gross proceeds.
Britain Hits Dietary Tipping Point as Food Habits Miss Sustainability Goals
Britain will reach its 2026 Planetary Health Diet Overshoot Day tomorrow, signaling that the nation has already consumed its recommended annual balance of sustainable, healthy foods. Research commissioned by Lidl GB highlights a widening gap between current dietary habits and the targets necessary to support both human and environmental health.
Sephora Debuts First UK Boutique Concept on Carnaby Street
London’s Carnaby Street now hosts Sephora’s first intimate boutique store in the UK, a 2,691-square-foot space designed to bring the brand’s premium beauty experience to the high street. The location serves as a strategic pivot toward smaller, city-focused formats that prioritize personalized service and rapid consumer access.
Shein Targets Hong Kong IPO Amidst Retail Tech Market Shifts
Shein is preparing for a pivotal Hong Kong listing as it seeks a valuation between $40 billion and $50 billion. This anticipated move follows previous failures in London and New York, placing the ultra-fast fashion giant under intense scrutiny as it attempts to appease investors wary of profitability and regulatory hurdles.
H&M launches denim collection using Circ textile-to-textile recycling
A new men's denim collection at H&M marks the first commercial scale-up of Circ’s textile-to-textile recycling technology. Integrating Lenzing’s fiber production and AGI Denim’s manufacturing, the launch proves that recycled materials can meet the quality standards required for global mass-market retail supply chains.
Auchan Retail rolls out mobile self-scanning in Spain
Shoppers in Spain can now bypass traditional checkout queues using their smartphones, as Auchan Retail partners with shopreme to integrate the AutoScan feature into its Club Alcampo application. The rollout targets a frictionless store experience, allowing customers to scan items while moving through aisles before finalizing payment.
Walmart and Netflix debut interactive shopping for LEGO One Piece
Walmart, Netflix, and the LEGO Group are launching an interactive shopping experience today, centered on the release of an exclusive LEGO One Piece collection. Hosted on the Walmart Live platform, the event marks a strategic push to blend entertainment and retail through a curated livestream featuring fan-focused content.
CeX deploys Auror platform to combat retail crime across UK estate
Secondhand technology retailer CeX is integrating the Auror crime reporting platform across its 390 UK locations to track repeat offenders and improve staff safety. The move aims to address specific security challenges, including high-value device thefts and physical threats, while facilitating closer cooperation with law enforcement to target prolific criminal networks.
Waitrose scales digital shelf technology across 200 locations
More than 200 Waitrose stores have now transitioned to electronic shelf labels, marking a significant expansion of the grocery retailer’s partnership with SOLUM. Since December 2025, the chain has replaced traditional paper tags with Newton Pro digital displays to automate pricing updates and product information management across its entire estate.
Shell digitizes UK convenience network with RELEX AI
Shell is integrating AI-driven forecasting and replenishment software from RELEX Solutions across its UK Mobility & Convenience network. The initiative aims to automate planning models for more than 550 locations operating under the Shell Select, Little Waitrose, and Co-op banners, focusing on fresh product optimization and weather-based demand patterns.
Aden May appointed Director of Technology at London’s Southbank Centre
Aden May has stepped into the role of Director of Technology at the Southbank Centre, London’s sprawling arts complex. Moving from his previous post as Head of Technology at LuxExperience, May now oversees the digital strategy for an organization home to the Royal Festival Hall and the Hayward Gallery.
Activewear Brand TALA Appoints New C-Suite Leadership
Activewear brand TALA has finalized its leadership transition, appointing Sally Hughes as CEO and Verity Linnell as CFO. The move reinforces the company’s commitment to female-led executive structures within a retail landscape where such appointments remain statistically rare.
Schnucks Markets and VitalityIP launch AI-driven shopping assistant
Schnucks Markets is integrating a new agentic AI assistant into its digital platforms this summer, aiming to turn routine grocery trips into personalized health and wellness consultations. Developed with VitalityIP, the tool merges six billion lines of nutritional and transactional data to offer shoppers tailored meal planning and dietary guidance.
Vivobarefoot CCTO Steven Irwin Announces Departure
After nearly three years guiding the digital and commercial strategy at Vivobarefoot, Steven Irwin is stepping down from his role as Chief Commercial & Technology Officer. The veteran footwear executive, who previously held leadership positions at Hunter Boots and ASICS, plans to depart the brand at the end of September.
Gap Inc. prioritizes staff efficiency over automation hype
Store associates at Gap Inc. are pushing back against the industry's obsession with robots, demanding tools that reduce daily friction rather than flashy gadgets. CTO Sven Gerjets is shifting the company's focus toward technology that grants staff more face-to-face time with customers and better business visibility.
Raben Group digitizes European co-packing with Nulogy technology
Raben Group has begun deploying Nulogy’s Shop Floor software across seven Polish logistics sites, moving away from fragmented planning tools to a unified digital platform. The rollout aims to standardize contract packing operations, providing real-time visibility into production performance and resource management as the company prepares for a broader European expansion.
AI agents are transforming shopping habits across the UK and Ireland
Sixty-eight percent of UK and Ireland shoppers have already integrated AI agents into their purchase journeys, signaling a fundamental shift in how consumers discover and buy products. New research from CI&T reveals that these tools are rapidly evolving from niche utilities into primary touchpoints for modern retail interactions.