8. Geopost owned DPD announces Lincoln as fourth location for UK autonomous robot deliveries
Parcel delivery company DPD has announced plans to launch autonomous robot deliveries in Lincoln as part of a nationwide roll-out that could see up to 30 UK depots operating robots in their locality.
DPD, which is part of Geopost, first introduced robots in Milton Keynes in July 2022, and they are now also out delivering parcels to DPD customers in Raunds and Bristol with more locations to follow this year.
Based at DPD’s Lincoln depot at St Modwens Park, they will deliver to the nearby village of Witham St Hughs, via the existing network of footpaths.
The robots, which have a battery life of up to 12 hours and can deliver within a mile radius of the depot, operate autonomously once they have completed the mapping process, during which they are fully supervised and controlled by remote control.
DPD parcel recipients in Witham St Hughs will receive an SMS when the robot is outside their property and can then use a secure one-time pin code to open the robot and access their parcel. Once the compartment is closed, the robot will either continue to its next delivery or return to the depot. They can complete up to 30 deliveries a day.
DPD has worked with Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) on the initiative in Witham St Hughs.
9. Food and coffee chain Pret A Manger taps YOOBIC tech to support frontline teams and global expansion
Pret A Manger is partnering with digital workplace specialist YOOBIC.
By deploying the company’s suite of tools across 525 shops in 15 international markets, Pret says it is enabling its team to deliver consistently excellent brand experiences while prioritising customer and employee safety at every step of the way.
Over the next three to five years, it plans to double its total footprint to more than 1,000 shops through a growing global network of franchise partnerships.
That’s where YOOBIC comes in. By bringing to life some of Pret’s extensively documented standard operating procedures into a unified virtual hub, it gives frontline teams immediate access to the digital tools and information they need to succeed, while enabling senior leaders to maintain full visibility into and control over its global operations.
Pret’s team members are currently using the tech to monitor and manage over 65,000 monthly tasks across the company’s network of shops, with full tracking of task completion, follow up action items, and compliance rates.
10. Migros Supermarkt’s Andy Baldauf added to 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards judging panel
Andy is an expert in stationary and digital retail structures with over 20 years of experience.
He has held strategic management positions at renowned national corporations, international SMEs and startups. With an academic background in marketing and digital business, specialising in innovation management, he has in-depth expertise.
As a recognised top retail expert and keynote speaker, he shares his knowledge on a regular basis. His strategic approaches have made him a LinkedIn Top Voice, where he presents his expertise to a worldwide audience.
Welcome onboard, Andy!
DON’T DELAY, ENTER TODAY!
There are only four weeks left to submit your entries for the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards.
Deadline for submissions is Friday, 25th October.
The awards, sponsored by CADS, 3D Cloud, Retail Technology Show 2025, and Business France celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
It’s free to enter and you can do so across multiple categories.
Download our handy guide to entering the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards.
Friday, 25th October: Award entry deadline
Tuesday, 29th October: 2024 shortlist revealed
30th October-6th November: Judging days
Thursday, 21st November: Winners announced at the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards ceremony, to be held at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London.
For all entry related queries, email our Editor, Scott Thompson: scott.thompson@retailtechinnovationhub.com