Corporate
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Drone Drops and Virtual Fitting: Retail's Latest Tech Pivot
From drone delivery in North Carolina to facial recognition in London cafes, the retail sector is undergoing a rapid technological overhaul. Major players like Lowe’s, Tesco, and Revolut are aggressively deploying new tools to bridge the gap between digital convenience and the physical shopping experience.
Why Data Quality Is the New Front Line for Retail Security
Collecting vast amounts of customer information is no longer a competitive advantage if the foundation is flawed. As businesses grapple with synthetic identities and sophisticated fraud, the integrity of names, addresses, and phone numbers has shifted from a marketing concern to a critical pillar of corporate security infrastructure.
AI and Black Friday Trends Define eCommerce Expo 2026
At the Technology for Marketing and eCommerce Expo held last week at ExCeL London, industry leaders grappled with the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence in retail. The two-day event centered on balancing predictive personalization with consumer trust, while preparing for a Black Friday season that starts earlier than ever.
Amazon veteran Suhas Grama departs after Just Walk Out tenure
After a twelve-and-a-half-year career at Amazon, software engineer Suhas Grama has announced his departure. Grama, who served as a judge for the 2026 RTIH AI in Retail Awards, spent nearly a decade of his tenure specifically focused on the development and scaling of the company’s signature Just Walk Out checkout-free technology.
Healthy Options Expands AI-Driven Supply Chain Tech in Philippines
Healthy Options is scaling its partnership with RELEX Solutions to integrate price and fresh produce optimization across its Philippine retail network. The expansion, supported by implementation partner Genie X, moves the natural products retailer beyond basic forecasting into automated, data-driven decision-making for its stores and distribution centers.
Cinema Weekend highlights potential for mixed-use retail destinations
The recent UK-wide National Cinema Weekend proved that film screenings act as a powerful catalyst for footfall in mixed-use developments, even without the lure of major blockbuster releases. At Scotland’s GRID Braehead, the initiative sparked a significant surge in visitor numbers, underscoring how cultural events draw crowds into wider retail ecosystems.
Jo Malone London to Open First Standalone Store in Belfast
Fragrance house Jo Malone London is set to establish its first standalone retail footprint in Northern Ireland, securing a 3,402-square-foot space within the Victoria Square shopping destination. The new boutique, scheduled for a December 1st opening, aims to anchor the brand's presence in the region ahead of the festive season.
Louis Vuitton Americas Names Camille Vostatek as AI Transformation Lead
Camille Vostatek has joined Louis Vuitton Americas as Senior Manager of AI Transformation, marking a pivot from her previous consulting role at Sia. The appointment signals a deeper commitment to integrating data-driven strategies and advanced digital tools into the luxury brand’s regional operational core.
Kesko Taps KNAPP for Finnish Logistics Hub Automation
Finnish retail conglomerate Kesko has selected technology provider KNAPP to engineer a high-tech automation suite for its new logistics facility in Nurmijärvi. Designed to support the company’s foodservice operations, the site will integrate advanced pallet handling and small-item picking systems when it begins phased operations in 2029.
Kingfisher and Morrisons pivot to AI as retail tech consolidation deepens
The UK retail landscape is shifting toward aggressive automation, marked by Kingfisher raising profit targets through AI-driven personalization and Morrisons poaching a key executive to lead its own data science transformation. These moves signal a broader industry push to leverage machine learning for both operational efficiency and customer engagement.
Walmart CEO Pledges AI Will Not Dictate Personalized Pricing
Walmart President and CEO John Furner has issued a public commitment to customers, vowing that the retail giant will never leverage AI, shopping history, or personal income to inflate prices. This pledge follows growing industry anxiety regarding the potential for dynamic pricing models to exploit consumer urgency or individual data profiles.
Retail Tech Weekly: AI Shifts and Physical Store Expansions
From Shanghai to the UK, global retailers are aggressively integrating AI and automated logistics into their physical footprints. This week, major players like JD.com, Kingfisher, and Asda announced strategic pivots, prioritizing data-driven efficiency and in-store technological upgrades to capture shifting consumer habits.
Final countdown: RTIH Innovation Awards entry deadline nears
Time is running out for organizations looking to showcase their latest advancements in the omnichannel sector, as the deadline for the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards is set for October 2. Prospective entrants have just one week left to submit projects completed within the last 12 months for consideration.
Lowe's launches 20-minute drone delivery pilot in North Carolina
Lowe's has officially entered the drone delivery race, launching a pilot program in Matthews, North Carolina, that promises to place select home improvement supplies into the hands of DIY and professional customers in as little as 20 minutes.
Revolut Pilots Facial Recognition Payments in London Cafes
Revolut has launched a biometric checkout system dubbed Pay with Smile, marking the UK’s first in-store facial recognition payment trial. The pilot, currently running at Kiss the Hippo cafés in Bloomsbury, Soho, and Chelsea, allows customers to authenticate transactions by matching their faces against existing digital ID profiles.
Tesco launches virtual clothing try-on pilot at Sandhurst store
Tesco has debuted a virtual try-on experience at its Sandhurst Extra location, marking the supermarket's first foray into digital fitting room technology. Developed in partnership with AIUTA, the system allows shoppers to visualize approximately 1,500 F&F apparel items on themselves or digital avatars before making a purchase.
Aldi partners with Deliveroo to launch UK rapid delivery trial
Aldi UK is set to debut an on-demand grocery delivery service this October, marking the first time a discount supermarket in the UK has entered the rapid delivery space. The retailer will trial the service across eight locations, utilizing Deliveroo’s platform to bring roughly 2,000 products directly to customers' homes.
Paul Smith completes global rollout of Sitoo retail platform
Fashion house Paul Smith has finalized the deployment of Sitoo’s cloud-native unified commerce and point-of-sale platform across its entire network. The transition spans 31 stores operating in eight different countries, marking a significant infrastructure shift for the brand as it moves to standardize its global retail operations.
Lager 157 eyes full RFID rollout following successful pilot
Swedish fashion retailer Lager 157 has completed a three-store pilot of ClarityRFID’s inventory technology, achieving stock accuracy levels as high as 99.8%. The trial, conducted across locations in Denmark, Sweden, and Finland, is now serving as the blueprint for a company-wide implementation scheduled for 2027.
Retail Tech Weekly: AI Gains, Loyalty Gaps, and Rising Refund Fraud
Retailers are grappling with a dual reality this week: while AI-driven tools are successfully boosting productivity and sales, systemic failures in loyalty programs and a surge in refund abuse are bleeding millions from bottom lines across the UK and international markets.
VoCoVo recruits former Aldi and Ocado executive Ben Serrano
Ben Serrano has joined retail communications specialist VoCoVo as Senior Business Development Manager, marking his return to the retail business development sector. The appointment follows a period of expansion for the company, which is currently scaling its hands-free communication technology across major high-street retail chains.
Austen & Blake opens bespoke jewellery store at Southampton’s Westquay
Luxury jeweller Austen & Blake has expanded its physical footprint with a new storefront at the Westquay Shopping Centre in Southampton. The location focuses on a made-to-order service model, offering customers personalized consultations for engagement rings, wedding bands, and diamond pieces rather than traditional off-the-shelf inventory.
LolaLiza Unveils AI Fashion Avatar in Retail Tech Push
LolaLiza has launched a custom AI fashion avatar at its latest store opening, marking a shift toward blending digital signage with physical retail. Developed by Screenix in collaboration with DOBIT and displayed on Samsung spatial screens, the technology aims to transform static displays into interactive, dynamic fashion showcases.
Redefining the Manchester Workspace for Modern Business
As Manchester cements its status as a premier UK business hub, companies are finding that a prestigious address is no longer enough. To attract top talent and maintain competitive momentum, organizations must transition from static office environments to flexible, purpose-built workspaces that prioritize employee wellbeing and functional design.
Smythson Taps ESW to Scale Global E-commerce Operations
British luxury house Smythson is partnering with ESW to overhaul its international digital infrastructure. The collaboration aims to streamline cross-border commerce for the 139-year-old brand, specifically targeting growth in the United States and other key global markets where demand for its signature leather goods continues to rise.
Morrisons Hires Kingfisher Executive to Lead AI Strategy
Morrisons has appointed Dr. Mohsen Ghasempour as its first Chief AI Officer, tasking the former Kingfisher executive with building a centralized data science function. Starting October 1, Ghasempour will report directly to CEO Rami Baitiéh to spearhead the supermarket chain's digital transformation across its commercial and operational divisions.
Royal Mail Acquires Quadient Locker Network to Scale UK Delivery
Royal Mail is expanding its out-of-home delivery footprint by acquiring Quadient’s UK-based parcel locker network. The deal, which adds approximately 3,000 automated units to the carrier's existing infrastructure, aims to streamline the customer experience for parcel collections and returns across the country as the competitive last-mile market intensifies.
Alberto Carlos Benigno Takes Helm at x-hoppers Amid Ace Hardware Deal
Alberto Carlos Benigno has been appointed CEO of retail communications firm x-hoppers, marking his transition from Chief Revenue Officer. The leadership change coincides with a major strategic partnership with Ace Hardware, unveiled at an industry event in Orlando, Florida, to bolster frictionless associate and customer interactions.
Boots and Best Buy Expand Into TikTok Shop
Retailers are increasingly looking to social platforms to capture consumer attention, with Boots launching a pilot in the UK this month and Best Buy preparing to roll out nearly 10,000 products on TikTok Shop in the US by late October.
Dollar General and Instacart Launch Same-Day Delivery Partnership
Dollar General is bringing its inventory to the Instacart Marketplace, initiating a strategic pilot program across six states. The move marks a significant shift for the discount retailer, which aims to provide millions of shoppers with same-day access to household essentials through the popular delivery app and website.