It’s Friday, so let’s kick back and reflect on another eventful week for the retail technology space. Here's your briefing on the most important and interesting stories from the past few days.

1. Amazon focuses on AI and machine learning with Boston Tech Hub expansion

Amazon is set to expand its Boston Tech Hub in the US and create more than 3,000 new corporate and technology jobs over the next several years. 

The roles will support teams across the company, including Alexa, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Amazon Robotics, and Amazon Pharmacy. 

2. Waitrose Unpacked moves up a gear and achieves supermarket first

Waitrose has become the first national UK supermarket to integrate unpacked items into regular aisles at its store in Wallingford Oxfordshire.

3. Don’t believe the online hype as boohoo and Asos buy high street stalwarts

Our Editor, Scott Thompson, discusses boohoo buying the Debenhams brand and website for £55 million and Asos looking to snap up Topshop, Topman and Miss Selfridge.

4. FCA considers UK contactless payments limit rise to £100

The UK contactless payment limit for a single transaction could be raised to £100.

Last year, it went up from £30 to £45 during the coronavirus outbreak. 

"Recognising changing behaviour in how people pay, as part of a wider consultation, we will shortly be seeking views on amending our rules to allow for a possible increase in the contactless limit to £100," the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said in an online post.

5. Walmart kickstarts major micro-fulfilment centres project

Walmart is set to install micro-fulfilment centres next to and inside some of its stores.

These will use autonomous robots to fetch the likes of boxed and frozen food for online orders. 

Human workers will handle more complex tasks such as choosing fresh produce or larger items. Orders will then be picked up at the store by customers or delivery workers. 

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