As June draws to a close and summer is in full swing, it is imperative to reflect on the most significant news stories from the retail technology industry over the past month. From substantial investment deals to innovative new partnerships, here is a summary of the top stories that have gripped the industry’s attention in June.
Firstly, the European food retail technology and online grocery firm, Rohlik Group, successfully secured $170 million in fresh growth capital to support its expansion across Europe. This investment, led by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), is intended to propel Rohlik’s expansion plans in DACH and CEE, with aspirations to establish a presence in more than ten additional cities by 2030. The company’s profitability and success have been driven by its innovative proprietary technology infrastructure, efficient delivery, and local variety of goods.
In a similar vein, retail giant Walmart unveiled a new augmented reality (AR) experience in partnership with Roblox, to allow users aged 13 and above in the United States to interact with virtual representations of select items sold at physical Walmart stores. This innovative shopping experience provides a unique and engaging way to partake in real-life goods shopping.
Moreover, Asda successfully completed the rollout of new NCR Point of Sale (PoS) software across its store estate, signifying the company’s commitment to enhancing the customer experience through modernizing its digital landscape. REWE Group also marked a significant milestone by launching its first autonomous PENNY store in Romania, whilst home electronics retailer Currys formed a strategic partnership with Bambuser to implement shoppable video calls to revolutionize customer interaction.
Ikea ventured into mainstream gaming by launching a virtual store on Roblox, thus expanding into an entirely new sphere of customer engagement. Additionally, Majid Al Futtaim collaborated with Checkout.com to provide customers with a seamless payment experience. Target unveiled plans to deploy a new generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tool, called Store Companion, to team members at all its stores nationwide. Notably, Macy’s celebrated the successful completion of a major PoS checkout modernization project, illustrating its dedication to delivering exceptional customer experiences.
Finally, Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology is set to debut at The O2 Arena, with the aim of enhancing the shopping experience for its patrons. In conclusion, June was a month filled with game-changing advancements and strategic partnerships in the retail technology industry, showcasing the industry’s unwavering commitment to innovation and technological progress. These stories underscore the industry’s determination to elevate the customer experience in an ever-evolving and competitive marketplace.