It’s Friday, the weekend is almost upon us, so let’s kick back and reflect on another eventful week for the retail systems space. Here’s your briefing on the most important stories from the past five days, including drone technology programmes, self-checkout roll-outs, augmented reality experiences, and payments partnerships.
1. Ikea set to expand deployment of drone technology in Europe and North America over next 12 months after year of testing
Ikea has announced the next phase in its drone technology programme: an upgraded AI powered system capable of operating around the clock alongside co-workers.
This will be integrated into fulfilment units, including distribution centres.
After a year of testing at the retailer’s DC in Winterslag, Belgium, Ikea is ready to deploy its drones to more locations over the next year.
The next phase will automate the physically demanding and time-consuming task of stock inventory, which is otherwise handled by employees.
This shift will not only free up co-workers to enhance the customer experience but also provides Ijea with faster, more precise and accurate stock management.
In 2021, Ikea launched a collaboration with Verity, a provider of AI and robotics, to develop a fully autonomous drone solution for its warehouses.
The first drone took flight in Ikea Switzerland, and today, more than 250 drones operate across 73 locations, in nine countries.
2. Walgreens focuses on stores and omnichannel push as it boosts retail and customer experience team
Walgreens has appointed Tracey Koller as Senior Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer, and Sharmila Sudhakar as Group Vice President and Head of Walgreens Digital Commerce.
It says that this will significantly contribute to its efforts with regard to the turnaround of the business as the company focuses on enhancing the front of store and omnichannel experience for its customers while driving in-store efficiencies.
“Our retail pharmacy business is uniquely positioned to expand the role we play in the lives of our patients who have come to expect and need retail pharmacy at the centre of their care,” says Tracey Brown, Executive Vice President and President, Walgreens Retail and Chief Customer Officer.
“To do this, we are investing in the industry’s best talent, which includes the addition of Tracey and Sharmila to the Walgreens leadership team.”
“With their strong track records of delivering results in omnichannel solutions and merchandising, I know they will be critical contributors to our growth and success as we deliver an efficient, highly relevant customer experience.”
3. Primark preps London Oxford Street West go live as value retailer continues self-checkout technology push
Primark is continuing its deployment of self-checkouts with a major go live set for this week.
The programme started in 2022 and has seen roll-outs at such stores as Sheffield, West Bromwich, Basingstoke, Kingston and Milton Keynes.
In a LinkedIn post, dated Friday, 16th August, Kerry Hooley, Project Retail Implementation Lead at Primark, said: “It has been a bustling week for Primark, particularly in self-checkouts.”
“This week, the Truro, Broughton Park, Oxford Street East, and Chester stores officially launched their new self-checkouts. Oxford Street West has had excellent training sessions and is ready for next week’s go live.”
“Thank you and congratulations to everyone involved for their hard work and dedication in making this successful for our stores.”
4. Focus on online retail and physical stores as RTIH gears up to launch seventh issue of its printed magazine
In this edition, we showcase the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards, sponsored by CADS, 3D Cloud, and Retail Technology Show 2025, and Business France.
Deadline for entries is Friday, 25th October, with winners being announced at the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards ceremony, to be held at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on Thursday, 21st November.
We also present the Retail Technology Innovations Report, sponsored by 3D Cloud.
This highlights the top 50 retail tech plays of the past 12 months as decided by myself and an independent advisory panel.
Innovation and technology play a critical role in the success of the retail sector, and it is great to celebrate this with the Retail Technology Innovations report.
We have now started work on the 2025 edition, which will be published both in our magazine and on our website in March of next year. In this issue, we run through a few early contenders for the next top 50.
Elsewhere, RTIH talks social media, physical locations and online opportunities with Louis Rose, Co-founder of Sofa Club, and our secret shopper delves into the online experience offered by Cider, the fast fashion firm that is challenging Shein.
Also, our Editor Scott Thompson highlights the continued importance of high streets and town centres amid the rise in popularity of streaming services and online shopping.
They are vital for the UK’s economic success. But it goes beyond that. They also play a massive role in civic and community life, in a way that Netflix, Amazon et al will never be able to do.
And last but most certainly not least, regular contributor, Mike Cadden, talks about how building a community around your e-commerce brand is a powerful strategy for driving long-term sales and enhancing customer lifetime value.
If you are a retailer and would like to receive a free copy of issue seven of RTIH magazine, please complete the form at the end of this article and we will add you to our mailing list.
5. Focus on ML and AI powered robotics as beauty and wellness marketplace Fresha bags $31 million in financing from J.P. Morgan
Fresha, a marketplace platform for beauty and wellness, has secured a $31 million venture debt facility from J.P. Morgan.
The funding will accelerate its expansion into new markets and drive the growth of its machine learning capabilities and AI-powered robotics.
By offering a subscription free business software with embedded payment processing and a consumer marketplace, Fresha helps beauty businesses, such as salons, barbershops, spas, and aesthetics clinics, to streamline their entire operations and connect with more customers.
To date, it has raised over $185 million in venture capital funding, including a $150 million Series C round in 2021 led by General Atlantic.
Fresha lays claim to a network of over 110,000 merchants, with a strong presence in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe.
The platform’s reach extends across 120 countries, where customers book tens of millions of appointments monthly. To date, Fresha has facilitated transactions worth over $35 billion in gross merchandise volume.
In 2023, the company grew revenues by 67% year-over-year, with a similar level of performance expected in 2024. It says that it is approaching probability, although it did not provide further details in a press release.
6. PayPal expands Adyen partnership to offer Fastlane checkout experience in US with other markets to follow
PayPal has strengthened its global partnership with FinTech firm Adyen.
This will see Adyen offer Fastlane by PayPal to accelerate guest checkout flows for its enterprise and marketplace customers in the US, with plans to extend this solution globally in the future.
When completing their first checkout with a participating merchant, shoppers can save their card and shipping information more easily using Fastlane. This payment and shipping information can then be prefilled automatically on future purchases everywhere Fastlane by PayPal is available.
“Adyen’s customer base and relationships with enterprises makes them the ideal first Fastlane payment processing partner. This strategic partnership aligns with our goal to make PayPal available everywhere customers shop globally,” says Alex Chriss, President and CEO, PayPal.
“PayPal has evolved into a platform of choice for the world’s largest commerce brands, technology companies, and payment processors offering seamless and connected commerce experiences to hundreds of millions of consumers and businesses.”
7. Mint Velvet taps Patchworks iPaaS solution to seamlessly connect essential systems in its technology stack
Mint Velvet has gone live on Patchworks’ e-commerce integration platform.
In a LinkedIn post, Jim Herbert, CEO at Patchworks, said: “This integration is a testament to the power and flexibility of our iPaaS solution, seamlessly connecting some of the most essential systems in their tech stack.”
He added: “This integration is an enterprise grade integration layer that connects NetSuite, Shopify, Retail Assist Merret, Givex, Centric Software and our MACH Alliance partners Cloudinary and Bloomreach.”
“By bringing these platforms together, Mint Velvet can now enjoy streamlined operations, enhanced data flow, and a more connected digital ecosystem.”
8. Woolworths Group in talks to acquire assets of micro-fulfilment centres firm Takeoff Technologies for $2.5 million
Woolworths Group is working on deal to acquire Takeoff Technologies’ assets for $2.5 million.
The Woolworths Group news was broken on LinkedIn by Brittain Ladd, a supply chain consultant and former Amazon executive, who cited unnamed sources.
Ladd commented: “There are still details being worked out. Note: Woolworths DID NOT buy the company Takeoff Technologies – they only acquired its assets. Takeoff Technologies is effectively out of business.”
He added: “I’m not surprised that the Woolworths Group was the winning bidder as they plan on continuing to utilise Takeoff’s micro-fulfilment centres to fulfil online grocery orders.”
9. Former Yesway senior loyalty manager Michael Caldwell onboard with mobile apps firm Rovertown
Mobile commerce specialist Rovertown reports that Michael Caldwell has joined the team as its new Customer Success Manager – Enterprise.
He was previously at US convenience store chain, Yesway, where he built and grew its loyalty programme from 35 stores to more than 435.
“I’ve known the Rovertown team for several years, and I’ve always admired the work they’ve done to move our industry forward,” says Caldwell.
“It’s so important for the digital experience to match a brand’s reputation and give customers that same ‘feel good’ feeling they get when they walk through the door.”
“I’m thrilled to leverage more than seven years of experience at Yesway to serve our enterprise clients and enhance the customer first approach that has made Rovertown so successful.”
After joining the retailer in 2017, Caldwell built and grew Yesway Rewards.
Following Yesway’s 2019 acquisition of the Allsup’s brand, Caldwell incorporated its more than 300 stores, giving them their first ever loyalty programme and unveiling Yesway & Allsup’s Rewards.
10. Blippar teams with Hasbro, Paramount Pictures and Walmart for Transformers One augmented reality experience
They can do so by scanning a QR code that also unlocks a digital reward.
Transformers One is an upcoming American animated science fiction action film based on Hasbro’s Transformers toy line. The ensemble voice cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, Laurence Fishburne, and Jon Hamm.
Blippar is the company behind the AR experience.