Corporate
Found 518 articles
Tesco launches pilot of Simbe’s Tally shelf-scanning robot
Tesco has joined the growing ranks of UK grocers testing Simbe’s Tally, an autonomous shelf-scanning robot currently patrolling a single store. The pilot program, which aims to improve stock accuracy and inventory management, follows a similar trial conducted by Morrisons and a successful multi-store rollout by SPAR Austria.
Gap Inc. finds AI success depends on mindset, not just mandates
When Gap Inc. invited 388 employees to participate in a joint research study with Microsoft, the results challenged standard corporate adoption strategies. Instead of rigid workflows, the company discovered that positioning AI as a collaborative thought partner significantly outperformed top-down mandates, while also avoiding a phenomenon researchers dubbed the AI hangover.
Augmodo Secures $21 Million to Expand Spatial AI Beyond Retail
Equipped with $21 million in new funding led by TQ Ventures, AI startup Augmodo is pivoting from retail shelf-tracking toward a broader mission: providing spatial intelligence for the entire physical workforce, including automotive and manufacturing sectors, at a company valuation now reaching $350 million.
Asda integrates allergen data into electronic labels at Express stores
Asda has expanded its compliance strategy by deploying Natasha’s Law allergen and calorie information onto Vusion electronic shelf edge labels across more than 150 Express locations. The initiative aims to provide shoppers with transparent, real-time ingredient data for bakery items prepared and packaged directly on the premises.
Morrisons CEO sees retail future in the precision of Wimbledon’s AI
Watching 300 line judges vanish from Wimbledon to be replaced by the Hawk-Eye Live system, Morrisons CEO Rami Baitiéh found a blueprint for the future of grocery. He argues that replacing human error with automated accuracy is not about obsolescence, but about freeing staff to focus on empathy and customer connection.
The Millisecond Gap: Why Checkout Latency Costs You Customers
A single second of delay at the checkout screen can dismantle months of marketing effort. When a customer clicks Pay Now, they expect instant confirmation; if the system falters, they do not file a complaint—they simply navigate to a faster competitor, turning your acquisition investment into a total loss.
Andy Saw Marks 15 Years Leading Tech at The Perfume Shop
After fifteen years steering the digital infrastructure of The Perfume Shop, IT Director Andy Saw is reflecting on a period of unprecedented transformation. As the retailer evolves under parent company A.S. Watson, Saw points to a rapid acceleration in technological pace, driven largely by the recent explosion of AI innovation.
Tony Aguilar Moves to Fear of God as Supply Chain Director
Tony Aguilar has transitioned from his role as Senior Manager of Operations Analytics at SKIMS to join Los Angeles-based fashion house Fear of God. Taking on the position of Director of Supply Chain Analytics, Aguilar enters the luxury label as it seeks to scale its complex backend operations.
Castorama Opens Amazon Storefront in French Retail First
Castorama has broken new ground for the French DIY sector by launching an official storefront on Amazon. The move allows customers to purchase Kingfisher-owned brands such as Erbauer, Magnusson, MacAllister, and GoodHome directly through the global e-commerce giant, marking a significant expansion of the retailer's digital ecosystem.
Glacier Invests €45m to Scale Ice Cream Production and Innovation
A €45 million capital injection is set to reshape the production landscape for European dessert manufacturer Glacier, with the firm prioritizing high-speed automation and a new Italian innovation hub. The strategy aims to capture shifting consumer appetite for lighter, fruit-based frozen treats and premium multi-layered formats.
Evri Group Surpasses One Billion Annual Parcel Deliveries
The newly consolidated Evri Group is now processing over one billion parcels annually, a surge driven by the rapid expansion of social commerce and the secondary market. CEO Martijn de Lange attributes this milestone to a permanent shift in consumer behavior that demands greater flexibility and convenience in delivery services.
UK Buy Now Pay Later usage climbs ahead of new FCA oversight
As of July 15, the Financial Conduct Authority begins regulating buy now pay later services, enforcing mandatory affordability checks and clearer consumer disclosures. This shift arrives as data from Experian confirms the sector’s massive expansion, with transaction volumes hitting nine million in March 2026 alone.
Klaviyo taps CyberArk’s Erica Smith as new CFO
Erica Smith is set to become the new Chief Financial Officer of Klaviyo on September 1, departing her role as CFO at CyberArk to fill the vacancy left by Amanda Whalen. The move comes as the Boston-based marketing platform pushes to capture larger enterprise customers and expand its international footprint.
Quadient hits 3,000 UK locker milestone with retail expansion
Quadient has expanded its Parcel Pending network to over 3,000 locations across the United Kingdom, solidifying its footprint through strategic partnerships with major retailers including Morrisons and The Range. The infrastructure now serves as a multi-carrier hub, supporting everything from standard parcel logistics to specialized services like prescription collection and luggage storage.
M&S Unveils Revamped Pantheon Flagship on Oxford Street
Marks & Spencer has officially reopened its Pantheon flagship on London’s Oxford Street, transforming 100,000 square feet of retail space into a testing ground for the brand. The four-story site serves as a live laboratory for M&S to refine its fashion, home, and beauty strategies before nationwide implementation.
Walmart Supply Chain Executive Rob Montgomery Marks Two Decades
Two decades after joining Walmart as a logistics engineer, Rob Montgomery is being recognized for his pivotal role in modernizing the retail giant's massive supply chain operations. His tenure, which spans from replenishment strategy to his current role as Executive Vice President, was highlighted this week by top leadership.
Retail Tech Roundup: From London Heathrow to Digital Shelves
Retailers are aggressively upgrading their infrastructure this month, with Morrisons hitting a 100-store milestone for digital shelf labels while Slim Chickens marks a debut at London Heathrow’s Terminal 3. These moves underscore a broader industry push toward automated, data-driven efficiency across both physical stores and digital supply chains.
Lidl Plus Completes Global Expansion With US Market Entry
With the launch of Lidl Plus in the United States on July 15, the discount retailer has successfully unified its loyalty program across all 32 countries where it operates. The platform now serves over 120 million users, marking a significant milestone in the company’s digital transformation strategy.
Damien Corcoran appointed CEO of Thailand’s Jaspal Group
Damien Corcoran, a veteran executive with experience at Sainsbury’s, Aldi UK, and Whole Foods Market, has been named the new Chief Executive Officer of the Thailand-based Jaspal Group. He steps into the role with a mandate to oversee the next phase of growth for the fashion and lifestyle retail business.
Phia faces scrutiny over alleged affiliate commission manipulation
The AI shopping startup Phia, co-founded by Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, faces allegations of cookie stuffing that may have diverted sales commissions. Following a Bloomberg investigation into the company’s referral practices, the startup has been suspended from the affiliate platform Impact.com, casting a shadow over its recent $185 million valuation.
SmartNovo launches AI-powered autonomous container stores in Poland
Occupying just 21 square metres, the first AI-driven autonomous store from SmartNovo has debuted in Poland under the Lewiatan brand. The facility operates without staff or queues, utilizing a system that manages everything from inventory tracking and dynamic pricing to security, all while being fully relocatable by truck within an hour.
OurCoop taps LoweConex to centralize HVAC and refrigeration telemetry
Following the merger of Central Co-op, Chelmsford Star, and Midcounties Co-operative, the newly formed OurCoop is consolidating its infrastructure management. The retailer has tapped LoweConex to deploy its Conex OS platform, aiming to unify telemetry data across HVAC and refrigeration systems to drive maintenance and energy efficiency.
Peter Trew joins Pizza Express to spearhead data strategy
Retail industry veteran Peter Trew has stepped into the role of Director of Data & Analytics at Pizza Express. Tasked with refining the chain's digital intelligence, Trew brings a decade of experience from the Medical Defence Union and a background rooted in high-profile fashion and e-commerce retail sectors.
Shu Uemura debuts AI-powered beauty mirrors in Tokyo flagship
Stepping into the new shu:ARTstage flagship store in Omotesando Hills, customers encounter more than just reflective glass. Shu Uemura has integrated Loook.ai technology into its mirrors, transforming a passive vanity surface into an interactive diagnostic tool that performs 3D facial scanning to generate personalized makeup recommendations.
Former Tiffany & Co. executive Marc Struwig shifts to fashion startup COD3D
Marc Struwig, a veteran technology director formerly of Tiffany & Co., has confirmed his transition into the apparel industry with the upcoming launch of his own clothing line, COD3D. The project, which has been in development for several months, is currently undergoing a formal trademarking process.
Lululemon hits the court with Trafford Centre pop-up
A branded padel court has appeared at the Trafford Centre, marking the expansion of Lululemon’s retail presence at the leisure destination. The two-week activation aims to draw foot traffic by capitalizing on the rapid growth of the racquet sport, blending high-end retail with an interactive visitor experience.
Costa Coffee Returns to Luton Airport With 24/7 Digital Hub
A £750,000 investment has brought a new Costa Coffee to London Luton Airport, marking the brand’s return to the terminal. Located in the departures area, the store operates around the clock and emphasizes speed, integrating touchscreen kiosks and Click & Collect services directly through the Costa Club mobile application.
Yours Clothing integrates Shop Pay via Remarkable Commerce
UK plus-size retailer Yours Clothing has integrated Shopify’s Shop Pay into its existing storefront, bypassing a full platform migration. Delivered by long-term partner Remarkable Commerce, the move allows the brand to adopt accelerated checkout technology while maintaining the specific architectural flexibility of its current non-Shopify e-commerce infrastructure.
Retail Tech Pulse: Fleek’s $25M Raise and Morrisons’ Digital Milestone
From the rapid expansion of AI-driven secondhand marketplaces to the deployment of smart shelf technology in British grocery stores, the retail sector is undergoing a massive digital overhaul. This week’s industry highlights reveal how established chains and agile startups are re-engineering the customer experience through automation and data.
JD Sports and Uber Eats partner for rapid England kit deliveries
As England prepares to face Norway in the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals, JD Sports and Uber Eats have launched an on-demand delivery service for football shirts in London and Manchester, ensuring fans can secure their kits for the match without needing to leave their homes.