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Nkuku partners with Back.tech to overhaul reverse logistics
Ethical home retailer Nkuku is integrating Back.tech’s AI-driven platform to overhaul its reverse logistics and recommerce strategy. By automating grading and routing processes, the brand aims to transition from traditional returns processing toward a smarter, connected lifecycle for both parcel shipments and bulky home goods.
Google veteran Sonia Wadhawan joins Walmart to lead AI partnerships
Sonia Wadhawan has moved to Walmart as the new Vice President of Partnerships for the retailer’s AI Acceleration, Product & Design division. After a two-decade tenure at Google, she joins the team to oversee strategic ecosystems as the company aggressively pivots toward agentic technology and AI-driven commerce.
Navigating the Campus Maze: Co-op Launches Uber Eats at Birmingham
Navigating 675 acres of university grounds proved more complex than anticipated when the University of Birmingham’s on-campus Co-op store recently integrated with Uber Eats. While the service is now operational, initial rollout required a frantic recalibration of digital map pins to stop delivery drivers from getting lost.
Marks and Spencer names Paul Loughlin head of analytics
After serving three months in an interim capacity, 17-year company veteran Paul Loughlin has been permanently appointed as Head of Analytics for Retail, Property and Contact Centre at Marks and Spencer. His promotion reflects the retailer’s intensifying focus on data-driven infrastructure rather than superficial front-end technology trends.
Swish Basket Secures $3.2 Million to Bring AI to Basketball Courts
Swish Basket, an AI-driven sports technology firm founded by Trax creator Joel Bar-El, has closed a $3.2 million pre-seed funding round. The startup, which was recently selected for the NBA Launchpad 2026, plans to use the capital to scale its sensor technology and expand its engineering and marketing operations.
Morrisons debuts multi-brand retail hub in London
Customers at the Morrisons Palmers Green store in London can now access a consolidated shopping experience featuring The Range, wilko, and Homebase. The collaboration, facilitated by a deal with CDS Superstores, introduces an 800-square-foot collection hub designed to integrate home, garden, and DIY procurement into the standard grocery trip.
Dickey's Barbecue Pit gamifies loyalty program with Spark Adriatic
Dickey's Barbecue Pit is integrating interactive mobile games into its Big Yellow Cup Rewards program to drive customer engagement. Developed by Spark Adriatic, the new features allow users to earn loyalty points through gameplay, a strategic push as nearly 30% of the chain's orders now originate within its mobile app.
Superdrug to expand footprint at Harlequin Watford
Superdrug is set to significantly increase its presence at the Harlequin Watford retail destination, with plans to expand its current store by over a third. The move will see the brand occupy a new 11,503 sq ft space, marking a 37% growth from its existing 8,400 sq ft location.
Wingstop reaches 100-site milestone with Inverness opening
Wingstop has officially hit its 100th location across the UK and Ireland, marking the expansion with a new restaurant in Inverness, Scotland. The milestone comes as the fast-food chain reports a 73% surge in revenue to £216.4 million for 2025, fueled by an aggressive store rollout strategy.
California Pizza Kitchen plans 1,000 automated kiosk rollout
California Pizza Kitchen is deploying up to 1,000 automated pizza-making kiosks across the United States in partnership with T-ROC Global. The initiative targets high-traffic locations such as hospitals, hotels, and sports venues, aiming to provide quality, on-the-go meals where traditional restaurant footprints are not feasible.
Walmart Hits 100-Site Milestone in EV Charging Expansion
Walmart has reached a significant infrastructure goal with the opening of its 100th company-owned electric vehicle fast-charging site in Monument, Colorado. The retailer now operates high-speed charging stations across 20 states, aiming to integrate seamless energy access directly into the routine of its store-bound customers.
Retail Tech Trends: From Autonomous Burgers to AI Policing
Conflict is defining the retail landscape this week, as major chains double down on controversial AI surveillance while others pivot toward autonomous convenience. Asda and Sainsbury’s are pushing ahead with automated security tools despite high-profile errors, even as the industry shifts its focus toward the practical, unglamorous back-end innovations.
Murphy USA Taps White Castle for Autonomous Food Kiosks
Murphy USA is integrating autonomous food preparation technology into its larger retail stores, marking a shift in how the convenience chain serves hot meals. The rollout, powered by Automated Retail Technologies, features White Castle as the primary partner, aiming to streamline service through a fully automated, self-contained system.
Steve Webster joins 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards judging panel
E-commerce veteran Steve Webster has joined the judging panel for the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards, bringing nearly three decades of digital leadership experience to the competition. Webster, who currently leads the commerce advisory practice Barking Cat, will help evaluate global retail technology entries ahead of the November ceremony.
Justin Breton moves to Gap Inc. to lead Fashiontainment strategy
After six and a half years at Walmart, Justin Breton has joined Gap Inc. as Vice President of Development. He is tasked with spearheading a new focus on "Fashiontainment" across the company’s core brands, including Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Athleta, working under Chief Entertainment Officer Pam Kaufman.
Adyen Taps Former Barclaycard Executive to Lead EMEA Operations
FinTech powerhouse Adyen has appointed industry veteran Nicole Olbe as its new President for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Olbe, who brings two decades of experience from leadership roles at Barclaycard and Verifone, steps into the position to oversee the company’s regional commercial strategy and operational expansion.
Ocado Group taps Danish retailer nemlig for automated fulfillment
Ocado Group has identified Danish online grocer nemlig as the mystery European partner first teased in July. The collaboration centers on the construction of a high-tech customer fulfillment center near Copenhagen, designed to scale nemlig’s operations and bolster its position as a price-competitive leader in the Scandinavian market.
Target pivots to AI-driven retail as Q2 profits climb
Target reported a surge in second-quarter profits, bolstered by a $1 billion refund from rescinded federal tariffs. The retail giant is now leveraging this financial momentum to accelerate a massive technological overhaul, centering its turnaround strategy on artificial intelligence to stabilize supply chains and modernize store operations.
Lululemon searches for new tech lead as retail AI shifts accelerate
Ranju Das has departed his role as Chief AI and Technology Officer at lululemon, marking another high-profile exit in a week defined by rapid digital transformation across the retail sector. His departure leaves a vacancy at the top of the brand's innovation strategy just as peers navigate complex automation rollouts.
Ikea Expands Secondhand Marketplace to the UK
Ikea is set to launch a dedicated secondhand marketplace in the UK, allowing Family members to buy and sell pre-owned furniture directly through a new digital platform. The move aims to simplify the circular economy for customers, following successful pilot programs conducted by the retailer in Spain and Norway.
Retail Tech Weekly: From Autonomous Coffee to AI Fraud Detection
A surge in retail innovation this week highlights a shift toward seamless integration, ranging from autonomous delivery fleets and drone-based logistics to AI-powered fraud prevention. As major brands like The Home Depot and Just Eat reshape service delivery, the industry faces ongoing scrutiny regarding the implementation of facial recognition technology.
Gok Wan partners with Pour Moi to launch Designed to Fit campaign
Style expert and television personality Gok Wan has joined forces with British fashion retailer Pour Moi to spearhead the Designed to Fit campaign, an initiative centered on educating consumers about lingerie and swimwear sizing while emphasizing personal confidence and the importance of a proper fit.
Sinclair Oil boosts fuel sales with mobile gaming rewards
Sinclair Oil has successfully integrated game-linked rewards into its DINOPAY mobile application, a move that directly correlates digital interaction with physical retail performance. By partnering with Mistplay, the fuel retailer incentivized customers to play mobile games in exchange for fuel discounts, resulting in a measurable shift in consumer behavior.
Eyebot and QUAY Partner for In-Store Vision Testing in California
Shoppers in Southern California can now update their eyeglass prescriptions in under 15 minutes without leaving the store. Eyewear brand QUAY has integrated Eyebot’s automated vision testing kiosks into select retail locations, aiming to remove the traditional barriers between eye exams and purchasing new frames.
Simba Sleep boosts checkout conversions with Snap Finance integration
Sleep technology brand Simba has reported a 50% increase in average order value and a tenfold rise in secondary finance approvals since integrating Snap Finance UK into its checkout process. The partnership allows the retailer to capture customers previously declined by mainstream lenders through a bespoke Shopify plugin.
Yankee Candle Expands Into UK Social Commerce via TikTok Shop
Yankee Candle has officially entered the UK social commerce market, launching a dedicated storefront on TikTok Shop. The home fragrance brand is leveraging a strategic partnership with THG Commerce to manage the digital retail experience, aiming to capture consumers who increasingly prefer browsing and purchasing directly through social media platforms.
HMV doubles down on physical retail with new Bluewater flagship
Entertainment retailer HMV is scaling up its presence at the Bluewater Shopping Centre, moving into a 7,000 sq ft unit vacated by Gravity Arcade. The new two-storey location, set to open later this year, doubles the footprint of the brand's previous site within the Kent-based shopping destination.
Max Factory Group pivots from paper flyers to digital customer engagement
Italian retail chain Max Factory Group has moved away from traditional printed promotional materials, opting instead for a digital communication strategy. By integrating Vonage’s Messages API and Conversational Connect platform, the 48-store network now reaches customers through WhatsApp, RCS, and SMS, replacing static flyers with personalized, data-driven outreach.
Why the Consulting Industry’s Legacy Model is Failing Retailers
Large retail technology consultancies are struggling with their own version of a legacy estate: rigid governance, bloated hierarchies, and outdated billing models that mirror the very problems they are hired to solve. As AI reshapes the landscape, these structural inefficiencies have become increasingly difficult to justify to clients.
Authentic Brands Group expands digital reach with Luzern partnership
Authentic Brands Group has tapped Luzern eCommerce to manage its digital presence across Europe, integrating the provider into its global network. The move aims to scale marketplace operations and retail media efforts for Authentic’s portfolio, building on a successful collaboration that previously bolstered the Reebok brand across multiple regional platforms.