Technology news

A year like no other Back in March, Ocado’s website was down, its app had been pulled, and commentators were hammering the business for its failure to respond to demand, and the inflexibility of its dark stores. But as we’ve seen many times before, Ocado has a habit of proving the doubters wrong. By the end of the year, Ocado Retail delivered a 35% year-on-year (YoY) increase in sal...

As Albert Heijn extends the reach of its online delivery solution in Belgium and that of its new AH Compact service in the Netherlands and launches new technology-led solutions in store, we round up news from the retailer. Albert Heijn pilots AR powered in-store assistant… In conjunction with the Antea Group Nederland, Albert Heijn is trialling an augmented reality, in-store assistant. The ...

COVID-19 has shifted shoppers to online, and many retailers have rapidly increased their online order capacities using in-store picking. Online profitability, or its unprofitability, is an uncomfortable topic and rarely discussed, but with online penetration at record levels, and most new online shoppers saying they will stay in the channel, I think we’ve got to understand the issue and change...

Ocado has announced it will acquire two robotic companies based in the US, Kindred Systems and Haddington Dynamics. Enhancing robotic picking capabilities Ocado is acquiring Kindred Systems, and advanced AI-powered robotics company, for around $262m. Kindred designs, supplies and services sophisticated piece-picking robots for ecommerce and order fulfilment. This robotic picking solution is...

Ocado announced the acquisition of a minority stake in robotics startup Myrmex, and is due to take a seat on its board. Materials handling robotics Fremont, California-based Myrmex is a materials handling robotics start-up with a unique offering including autonomous mobile robots and intelligent asset handling systems. The startup’s set of solutions notably enables click-and-collect deliver...

Amazon has launched its first custom electric delivery vehicle in the US in partnership with electric vehicle manufacturer, Rivian. Meanwhile, Asda has also launched a trial of a new form of electric assisted cargo bike. Amazon’s first custom electric delivery vehicle Amazon has launched the electric delivery vehicle as part of its Climate Pledge. The Climate Pledge was co-founded by Amazon...

As Woolworths in Australia continues to drive digital innovation in its business through its X functions, we round up four of its latest developments... New digital, media and creative hub Woolworths will move its WooliesX and BigWX functions, media business cartology and creative agency Greenhouse, powered by M&C Saatchi, into a new building on Sydney's Elizabeth Street in Surrey Hills. Th...

Amazon has opened its second Go Grocery store in Redmond, Washington, as reported by GeekWire. Second large format Go store Amazon Go Grocery was Amazon’s first large format grocery store. It launched in February 2020 and uses the same checkout-free technology as Amazon’s Go convenience format stores, which launched in 2018. With its Go Grocery stores, Amazon evolved its range and solved li...

Ocado has increased its stake in the UK vertical farm business, Jones Food Company, according to a report from The Telegraph. Meanwhile, Ocado’s CFO, Duncan Tatton-Brown is set to step down after eight years in the role.    Vertical farm investment   According to the report, Ocado has increased its share in Jones Food Company, which currently operates a vertical farm in Scunthorpe, to 7...

At the end of July, Aldi Süd launched a global request for startups specialized in computer vision and sensor-based products monitoring technologies. This could contribute to the fast track of Aldi Sud’s technological evolution and enable it to catch up with competitors, especially Amazon. Looking for startups ready to test their solutions Like other recent projects launched by the di...