4. Adyen inks in-store contactless payments partnership deal with luxury fashion giant Prada Group
Adyen has announced a new partnership with Prada Group to innovate the payment experience in-store.
The latter is leveraging Tap to Pay on iPhone in its US and Milan stores with additional markets going live in the near future.
Adyen supports Tap to Pay on iPhone which enables the Group to accept all forms of contactless payments – including contactless credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, and other digital wallets – with no additional hardware or payment terminal needed.
As a result, customers no longer need to queue at a register, and instead can checkout directly with their sales associate in-store.
“We are working on scaling our omnichannel solutions on the platform to connect each sale across all channels. We need to make everything seamless. We believe Adyen is the right partner to help us collect and manage all our payments data efficiently,” says Cristiano Agostini, Prada Group Chief Information Officer.
5. Immersive experiences: Ikea makes first foray into mainstream gaming with launch of virtual store on Roblox
Ikea is opening a virtual store on Roblox, marking its first foray into mainstream gaming and also becoming the first brand to launch paid work on the platform.
Going live on 24th June, the Co-Worker Game will allow players to experience working in the retailer’s virtual universe. People will, according to a press release, “be able to live their home furnishing dreams and get paid for it, with a limited number of paid roles available”.
The immersive experience gives players the opportunity to experience Ikea’s approach to careers where, to quote the aforementioned press release, “non-linear career journeys are the norm and lateral moves across departments are commonplace”.
6. Toronto Pearson makes history with first launch of Amazon Just Walk Out technology store in an airport in Canada
Paradies Lagardère’s new Amazon Just Walk Out technology powered store, The Goods Express, is now open in Toronto Pearson Terminal 1 by gate D22.
Passengers can access the store once they have passed security.
Teaming up with ARHT Media, the location also features interactive holographic displays.
The Goods Express is the first retail store using Amazon’s Just Walk Out tech in a Canadian airport.
Customers swipe their credit card or mobile wallet to enter, take the items they wish to purchase, and upon exit, their credit card will automatically be charged for the items purchased, free of any lineups.
7. Amazon Fresh UK launches automated returns kiosks at Liverpool Street and Moorgate London stores
Amazon Fresh UK has embarked upon an automated returns kiosks (ARK) journey, deploying the technology at its Liverpool Street and Moorgate stores.
In a LinkedIn post, Aline Morais, Program Manager at Amazon, said: “Leading this program has been an incredible experience!”
“The ARK provides a seamless, self-serve method for processing LFBF (label-free-box-free) returns, much like a self-checkout experience. This addition, alongside our self-serve pick-up lockers, allows customers to handle all their pick-up and return missions from any AUKF shop.”
She added: “Developed under the GSF CXO umbrella, the ARK device has already proven its value with over 450 units installed worldwide and 14.3 million returns processed. We’re confident this innovation will greatly enhance the shopping experience at Liverpool Street and Moorgate.”
8. Slip bags £2.5m in investment from VCs and angels including Asos VP of Customer & Marketing and former John Lewis CTO
Slip, a platform which helps retailers digitise receipts, has raised a £2.5 million seed round led by Adjuvo and joined by Haatch Ventures, Unbundled VC, the Side by Side Partnership, and a range of angels including Asos’ Executive Vice President of Customer & Marketing, Dan Elton, and former CIO at Frasers and former CTO at John Lewis, Julian Burnett.
Launched in 2022, Slip’s software has been tapped by retailers including JD Sports and Beyond Retro.
Its API can integrate with existing systems – thanks to partnerships with providers including Shopify, Klaviyo, Epos Now and Sitoo – with insights from customer activity fed directly into partner CRMs or marketing technology stacks.