Do you like numbers? Do you like retail systems news? Then this is the article for you. Including Walmart, Alimentation Couche-Tard, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, and the 2022 RTIH Innovation Awards.

10,000 and 7,000…Alimentation Couche-Tard is set to deploy more than 10,000 Mashgin AI powered touchless checkout systems, branded as Smart Checkout, to over 7,000 of its Circle K and Couche-Tard stores during the next three years.

4…After launching in 2019 and delivering hugely successful follow up events in 2020 and 2021, the RTIH Innovation Awards return in 2022, featuring PMC as Headline Sponsor.

The fourth edition of the awards is now open for entries.

New categories in 2022 as follows: Most innovative independent retailer, Customer service excellence, and Omnichannel retail initiative of the year.

The event celebrates global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

We received a record number of submissions in 2021, and winners included Metapack, Asda, Carrefour UAE, Situ Live, Starbucks, Oracle, Go Instore and Halla.

Winners and highly commended companies were announced on Wednesday, 8th December at an exclusive roundtable discussion/networking event in central London.

2…Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) is gearing up to launch two DIVR Labs ‘arenas’ with a 285 sqm outpost at Westfield Mall of Scandinavia in Stockholm and a 330 sqm location Westfield London.  

Featuring original story-based experiences ranging from family friendly escapades to fantasy and science-fiction adventures, DIVR Labs puts groups of up to four people into a series of shared virtual reality  experiences that, through its hardware, includes wireless streaming in 5K resolution and multi-sensory feedback through wind, heat and vibration.

$23 million…Last mile delivery specialist Onfleet has closed a $23 million funding round, enabling it to expand its team and enhance its platform.

6…UK retailers are struggling with the spiralling costs and frustrating delays of major ERP projects, according to a new study by Brightpearl.

Over 500 retailers took part in the study, which found that major ERP projects take six months longer than estimated to get live.

£8 million…Fresho has closed a £8 million Series A funding round.

The startup’s tech is used by chefs who reach for their device to choose exact quantities for their needs, much like an online shopping experience but specifically tailored to the B2B food industry.

£6 billion…Digital bank Zopa has entered the UK’s £6 billion buy now pay later market.

The FinTech, which has raised $500 million from the early investors of Slack, Uber, and Alibaba, says it will only offer affordable credit by running credit checks and affordability tests for all customers.

€2 million…Headless e-commerce solution startup Instant Commerce has secured a €2 million pre-seed round led by firstminute capital.

1…Sensei has launched what is pitched as “the first ever autonomous cabinet, revolutionising the vending machine and bringing ultra convenience to consumers in offices, stations, universities, gyms and more”.

The AI powered solution will allow customers to hold and have an up close look at products before buying them.

The cabinet door can be opened with the tap of a card or the Sensei app and, after choosing the products they want, customers will automatically be charged for what they decide to keep.

Cameras and intelligent shelves in the cabinet recognise products and ensure receipts are accurate.

81% of Brits are concerned about the use of their personal data and 95% feel it's important that their data is protected when online, according to research from Motive.co.

2,500…Co-op and Microsoft, supported by technology consultancy BJSS and Team ITG, have created Caboodle, a not for profit digital platform that enables UK supermarkets, cafés and restaurants to connect with community groups and volunteers to redistribute surplus food.

This is built on Microsoft’s Power Platform technology.

The platform, which is being tested out in Co-op's food stores in Northern Ireland, Milton Keynes and London, goes live next month across a further 2,500 food stores. 

23…Dave Clark, a 23-year Amazon veteran and the driving force behind its huge logistics operation, will join supply chain technology startup Flexport as Chief Executive in September.

Amazon announced last week that Clark planned to leave his role as CEO of its worldwide consumer business on 1st July.

$4.5 million…Reflex, an online marketplace that connects retail associates with brands in need of staffing help, has emerged from stealth and announced a $4.5 million oversubscribed seed funding round.

4…Walmart has announced plans to build four new fulfilment centres. These will implement automation technology that provides customers and Walmart+ members with access to next or two day shipping on millions of items.

Locations include McCordsville, Indiana, and Greencastle, Pennsylvania.

60% and 16%…New research from Spryker, which surveyed 2,500 UK consumers, finds that 60% buy at least some of their groceries online, with 16% now ordering all or most of their groceries via the internet.