RTS makes move from London Olympia to ExCel: check out our biggest retail technology articles on LinkedIn this week

We’re big fans of LinkedIn and are busy building an amazing community of retail tech enthusiasts on the social media platform. As we head towards the 20,000 followers mark, these are the articles that are currently on their radars, including Swiipr, TCC Global, L’Occitane en Provence, Emperia, Currys, EE, Aptos, Thri5, Colruyt Group, and StrongPoint.

Former Marks and Spencer Chief Digital and Technology Officer Jeremy Pee co-founds Thri5

Jeremy Pee has co-founded Thri5, a specialist in intelligent performance for global retail and manufacturing supply chains, with Herman Paek, whose CV includes the position of SVP at Loblaw Digital.

At the tail end of last year, Matalan announced the appointment of Pee as Non-Executive Director.

Most recently, he was Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Marks and Spencer.

He was hired in 2018 from Canadian supermarket chain Loblaw, taking on the aforementioned role in 2013.

He was previously Chief Digital and Data Officer, and held that position for just over four years.

Pee recently returned with his family to Canada in a planned move.

Travel PayTech startup Swiipr raises £6 million in Series A funding round headed up by Octopus Ventures 

Swiipr, a travel PayTech company, has secured £6 million in Series A funding, led by Octopus Ventures.

This builds on seed funding of approximately £1 million.

Launched in 2020, Swiipr is being used by 26 airlines across 70 countries.

Over 500 million global passengers are estimated to be affected by flight disruption each year, costing airlines billions of dollars in payouts as well as significant customer dissatisfaction, reputational damage and regulatory fines.

Paper vouchers in particular are time-consuming to process and issue, fraud prone, notoriously retailer and passenger unfriendly, and environmentally unsustainable.

Bank transfers can take months to process, physical cash is insecure and expensive to handl at airports, and loyalty points and future travel vouchers are often unpopular. 

Swiipr says that its integrated digital platform, including virtual and physical pre-paid compensation cards and a mobile app, give airlines the tools they need to solve these pain points for both themselves and passengers, whilst being fully compliant with the latest passenger rights regulations. 

Retail and loyalty industry veteran Rick Swinkels takes on Chief Executive Officer role at TCC Global

TCC Global has announced Rick Swinkels’ appointment as CEO to take over global operations across 34 countries.

The company creates loyalty campaigns and platforms that influence, recognise and reward shopper behaviour in-store and online.

Swinkels has over 20 years of experience both as a retailer with Ahold Delhaize and loyalty companies across Europe and worldwide. He joined TCC as Chief Commercial Officer in 2022.

He says: “I’m honoured to lead the passionate team who have made TCC a global market leader and I’m excited for the next phase of our growth. We are the only loyalty provider that combines the latest tech with dynamic in-store experiences to redefine how retailers engage with shoppers and communities.”

TCC clients include 15 of the world’s top 20 grocery retailers, such as REWE, Kroger, Albertsons, Carrefour, Lidl and Coles. The business also has exclusive, international partnerships with brands including Netflix and Masterchef.

Retail technology influencer Andy Baldauf sets sail from Migros Supermarkt and considers next port of call

Andy Baldauf is leaving Migros Supermarkt where for the last five months he held the position of Product Manager Digital Services - Total Store.

In this role, he was the driving force behind the innovation and transformation of physical touchpoints within supermarkets.

Baldauf was responsible for the development and implementation of digital in-store communication services, e.g. electronic shelf label (ESL) and digital signage, as well as the self-service system subito.

His tasks also included the design and optimisation of shop design themes, whereby he contributed to the further development of customer experiences.

In a LinkedIn post, he said: “Last week, Migros Supermarkt announced its target organisation and my role will no longer find a place there. In mid-June, I will therefore realign my professional route and focus on replanning my next steps.”

“The decision to set sail anew offers me the chance to pause and reflect on which port or ports I want to head for next. This phase of orientation allows me to carefully consider where I want my compass to lead me.”

Retail Technology Show 2025 to take place at ExCeL London as exhibitor and visitor numbers rise

Retail Technology Show is moving from London Olympia to ExCeL London, in response, it says, to overwhelming demand from exhibitors and visitors.

The organisers said in a press release: “With several very successful years at London Olympia and an abundance of wonderful memories, the time has come for Retail Technology Show to expand to a larger venue for the 2025 edition.”

“With demand for space increasing each year, and the rising number of retailers coming through the doors, now is the time to transition to a new venue.  One that allows for considered growth, giving more value to everyone that makes up the largest retail gathering in the UK.”

“ExCeL will offer more opportunities for prime exhibition locations, greater space for the market leading conference programme, and improved options for networking and customer experiences.”

L’Occitane en Provence partners with Emperia to launch new The L’Occitane Greenhouse virtual experience

L’Occitane en Provence is launching a new virtual experience, The L’Occitane Greenhouse, spotlighting the brand’s range of summer fragrances, drawing inspiration from the Provence region.

A collaborative effort with Emperia, this highlights offerings for both men and women, including the scents of Neroli and Orchidée, the 86 Collection and Cedrat.

Placed in a greenhouse, amidst the summer fields of Provence, the virtual world is comprised of three rooms; Main hall which features the brand’s women collections, on its rose, cherry blossom and lavenders scents; a woodsy Men Collection room, in a forest like atmosphere; and a Middle East Oasis, a regional lounge like room, featuring local scents including Ambre and the 86 Scents collection.

“Our new virtual experience is dedicated to L’Occitane’s world of natural fragrance creations, inviting guests to immerse themselves in a sensory journey of Provence through exquisite fragrances and exploration, while learning about the brand’s deep roots in the region” says Mariana Rodrigues, Marketing Director at L’Occitane Middle East.

Three Currys colleagues named as inclusion role models in Hospitality, Travel, Leisure and Retail index

Currys reports that three employees have been recognised in this year's Role Models for Inclusion in Hospitality, Travel, Leisure and Retail index, produced by WiHTL & Diversity in Retail, in partnership with the MBS Group.

Kirsty Littlemore, Nigel Paterson and Zoë Martin-Pearce were named as role models for their outstanding contributions to inclusion and diversity in the retail sector. 

Head of Finance Transformation, Littlemore, was selected for her setting up of the Women's Network at Currys, which now hosts 300 members. 

"The network is making such a difference already – really helping to connect, inspire and empower our female colleagues, with the support of some amazing male allies too" she says.

Paterson, Currys Group General Counsel and Company Secretary, achieved the role model nomination for his inspirational inclusive leadership style. 

"I consider inclusion and fairness to be the bedrock of a positive, successful organisational culture which serves to attract and retain colleagues and customers" he comments.

And thirdly Sales Colleague, Martin-Pearce, was recognised for her pioneering of both the pride and disability networks at Currys. "I aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive,” she says.

Belgian grocery retailer Colruyt Group tests out StrongPoint lockers for online shopping service Collect&Go

StrongPoint reports that Belgian retailer Collect&Go, Colruyt Group’s online shopping service, is trialling its grocery lockers for e-commerce orders. 

The lockers will be installed at a number of Colruyt Group locations, providing customers with a way to collect their online groceries.

“We are thrilled to partner with Collect&Go, Colruyt Group’s online shopping service, and have them use our grocery lockers,” says Jacob Tveraabak, CEO at StrongPoint.  

“Our Click and Collect e-commerce locker solution is designed to provide a high level of convenience, security, and efficiency, which perfectly aligns with Collect&Go’s commitment to exceptional customer service. We are proud to have been chosen for the pilot and look forward to the next steps.”

Food-to-go specialist Simply Lunch rolls out Podfather logistics software as part of sustainable business push

Simply Lunch is using Podfather logistics software to support its sustainable business strategy.  

The family run firm produces around 25 million products a year and makes more than 175,000 deliveries to organisations ranging from independent coffee shops to multi-national catering companies, from its headquarters in South London and its satellite depot in Birmingham.

It is using Podfather’s fleet planning, route optimisation and electronic proof of delivery software to eliminate paperwork through digitisation, minimise mileage and boost customer service.

EE rolls out Aptos cloud-based PoS solution across its UK stores following a six week pilot

EE is introducing a new cloud-based PoS solution from Aptos in its retail stores. The aim is to enhance customer engagement capabilities and reduce the IT infrastructure footprint in each store. 

Following a six week pilot across 15 locations, the software is being rolled out to EE’s more than 400 stores across the UK.

As part of the IT refresh across its retail estate, EE has upgraded to a newer version of Aptos’ PoS solution, delivered via SaaS, which will run on mobile devices that its employees can use throughout the store.

They will be able to complete all sales, service and operational processes from a single device, instead of multiple devices for different tasks.

EE has also removed fixed tills from each of its stores, allowing staff to have more personal conversations with shoppers, while also helping to reduce any potential congestion and queues.