3. Amazon puts spotlight on 15 innovative startups as retailer launches third edition of its Sustainability Accelerator
This is a partnership with EIT Climate-KIC, a Europeans climate innovation agency, and innovation strategy consultants Founders Intelligence, part of Accenture.
The 15 startups from across Europe will benefit from a four-week programme featuring expert led workshops, specialised mentorship, a tailored curriculum and access to a network of entrepreneurs in the sustainability sector.
This year, for the first time, they also have the opportunity to pitch their technology for a trial in Amazon’s European operations, opening doors to future partnerships and Europe wide implementation, earning them up to £2 million each.
The companies span a range of geographies and demographics, headquartered across 10 countries and together employing more than 600 people.
From tackling issues arising from fast fashion, to reusable packaging and AI, they are focused on scaling their business in one of three categories: circular economy, energy in buildings, and packaging.
4. EE rolls out Aptos cloud-based PoS solution across its UK stores following a six week pilot
EE is introducing a new cloud-based PoS solution from Aptos in its retail stores. The aim is to enhance customer engagement capabilities and reduce the IT infrastructure footprint in each store.
Following a six week pilot across 15 locations, the software is being rolled out to EE’s more than 400 stores across the UK.
As part of the IT refresh across its retail estate, EE has upgraded to a newer version of Aptos’ PoS solution, delivered via SaaS, which will run on mobile devices that its employees can use throughout the store.
They will be able to complete all sales, service and operational processes from a single device, instead of multiple devices for different tasks.
EE has also removed fixed tills from each of its stores, allowing staff to have more personal conversations with shoppers, while also helping to reduce any potential congestion and queues.
5. Grubhub offers its network of US restaurants directly on Amazon.com and in Amazon Shopping app
Amazon customers in the US can now order from hundreds of thousands of restaurants in all 50 states with Grubhub directly on Amazon.com and in the Amazon Shopping app.
Additionally, as long as a customer remains a Prime member, they can enjoy a free ongoing Grubhub+ membership worth $120 a year, without automatically renewing into a paid membership.
Grubhub+ includes $0 delivery fees on eligible orders over $12, lower service fees, 5% credit back on pick-up orders, and exclusive offers.
“Whether it’s saving money on your favourite takeout with Grubhub+, exclusive deals on Prime Day, prescription savings with RxPass, entertainment with Prime Video, or free shipping on more than 300 million items including tens of millions of products available with same-day or one-day delivery, Prime keeps getting better for members,” says Jamil Ghani, Vice President at Amazon Prime.
“We know Prime members value savings on food delivery, so we are extending the $0 delivery fees and exclusive savings with Grubhub+ for Prime members, and now customers can enjoy easy access to Grubhub from the Amazon store and app.”