Superdry explores AI and Walmart taps Zepeto: it can only be this week's biggest retail technology stories

It's Friday, the weekend is almost upon us, so let’s kick back and reflect on another eventful week for the retail systems space. Here's your briefing on the most important stories from the past few days, including Co-op, Flying Tiger Copenhagen, AiFi, Verizon, RTS 2025, M&S, Primark, Asos, and Nedap.

1. Superdry explores the world of AI and discusses how the retailer can leverage it to shape its future

Superdry has hosted an AI Lunch & Learn session at its HQ, led by the retailer's Technology Director, Dafydd Moore, where it introduced colleagues to what AI truly means for humans, society, and the business.

In a LinkedIn post, Superdry said: "We explored the world of artificial intelligence - its impact on the economy and retail, and how we, at Superdry can leverage it to shape our future."

"Why is this important for Superdry? Technology is a strategic enabler in achieving our business goals. It is essential for us to stay informed and embrace change to adapt, evolve, and thrive in a technology driven retail landscape."

Key takeaways from the session as follows:

We cannot slow down technology, but we can learn how to utilise it effectively.

AI may seem intimidating, and concerns like "What about my job?" are common. However, remember that AI is not conscious - we are.

Humans will always play a crucial role. Developing a growth mindset is vital for thinking differently about our future.

2. First for Flying TIger Copenhagen as it taps Beststore tool for launch of Morges, Switzerland location

Flying TIger Copenhagen has opened a new store in Morges, Switzerland located between Geneva and Lusanne.

The store is unique in that it's the first one opened by the retailer with a full concept from scratch.

In a LinkedIn post, Rene Klemmensen, Retail Manager at Flying Tiger Copenhagen, said: "The store is super optimised with everything from Beststore, which is our tool that ensures optimal store operations with good and healthy routines, and which makes it much easier for the manager and staff to manage the location and which ultimately benefits our customers with a high standard and not least world class customer service which is our top priority."

He added: "But it doesn't stop there. From week six to week 21, we're doing a total roll-out in all stores in this country so that by summer we'll be ready with the strongest schwitz we've ever had and not least super optimised stores with full concept and Beststore in all stores. And hopefully also new stores on the map and I can reveal that there are already more on the way."

3. Fifth Walmart No Boundaries drop on Zepeto with real-world versions of items shoppable without leaving platform

Walmart has announced its fifth No Boundaries drop on Zepeto, featuring ten new virtual items, inspired by the Spring No Boundaries collection.

As with previous drops, the real-world versions of these items are shoppable without leaving the Korean metaverse platform. Every purchase includes a free virtual twin of the item

In a LinkedIn post, Justin Breton, Head of Brand Marketing Innovation at Walmart, said: “If you’re going to activate on an emerging platform: Do it right, by listening to the community; Do it well, by testing, learning, and optimising; Do it often, with consistent, fresh updates.”

“That’s exactly how we’ve approached our No Boundaries activations on Zepeto. And today, we’re marking a milestone: our fifth drop, featuring ten new virtual items, all inspired by our Spring No Boundaries collection. Why are these items just tops? Because that’s what the community asked for. And we listened to them.”

He added: “To make this drop even more engaging, we’ve also added a new photobooth backdrop, giving users more ways to create and share their No Boundaries looks. We believe the future of fashion is community driven, immersive, and borderless. And we’re just getting started.”

4. State Farm Arena opens Hawks Express cashierless checkout store powered by AiFi technology

AiFi reports a collaboration with Verizon and the Atlanta Hawks to power the newly added Hawks Express Cashierless Checkout store at State Farm Arena.

Located on the 100 West main concourse, and operational beginning today, this uses AiFi’s computer vision led autonomous retail solution powered by spatial intelligence. The store also taps Verizon’s 5G Edge technology.

Customers enter the store, select their food and beverage items, and exit, with purchases automatically processed through their mobile payment method.

“Our collaboration with Verizon and the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena showcases how autonomous retail and seamless entry solutions can transform stadium environments. By leveraging cutting-edge technology with spatial intelligence, we are enabling faster, frictionless transactions that redefine convenience for fans while optimising venue operations,” says Steve Carlin, CEO at AiFi.

As part of a larger technology initiative, State Farm Arena has also installed Delta Fly-Through Lanes powered by Verizon at Gates 1, 2, 3, and 7 and deployed Verizon Sensor Insights in the arena’s technical hub.

"State Farm Arena is always exploring new digital solutions to enhance the experience for both our fans and staff," says Kim Rometo, Chief Technology & Innovations Officer at the Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena. “We are excited to see how the integration of Verizon 5G Edge and AiFi’s technology at the Hawks Express store will make an impact on checkout efficiency and customer satisfaction.”

5. Italian fashion brands Alcott and Gutteridge partner with Nedap for full store estate RFID roll-out

Nedap has been chosen by CAPRI GROUP to deploy iD Cloud for its brands Alcott and Gutteridge. The roll-out will encompass all stores across Italy, as well as Austria, Germany, Spain, Greece, Armenia, and UAE.

Marco Buono, COO at CAPRI GROUP, says: "RFID will enable us to achieve our strategic objectives of improving the overall customer experience at all stages of the buying process.”

“In such a competitive and volatile environment, reliable information is always crucial to meet our international growth objectives. Having the security of being accompanied by a partner with the experience and capabilities of Nedap in the fashion industry gave us full confidence that we were in the best hands to help us realize our full potential."

With the initial phase focusing on optimising in-store operations and customer experience, CAPRI GROUP plans to expand the iD Cloud implementation to loss prevention and supply chain solutions.

6. Marks and Spencer launches AI powered tool to help customers find the perfect bottle of wine

M&S customers can now use its new Wine Finder tool powered by AI technology to help them select the right bottle of vino for their palate.

Available online for more than 500 stores and on Point of Sale marketing in 20 Foodhalls, this asks a few quick questions about personal preferences before offering tailored recommendations of wines ranged in the chosen store.

The retailer is trialling the tool to help customers shop a category that it says can be confusing. Research, conducted on behalf of M&S, found that nearly a quarter of shoppers spend more than ten minutes deliberating in the wine aisle.

The tool is supported by the M&S Food digital catalogue, which provides customers with live stock information across its more than 1,000 stores. Available through its app, millions of customers are using the digital catalogue to better plan their shop as M&S aims to become more of a shopping list retailer.

Customers can see what’s in stock at their local store and add items to a digital shopping list. The Wine Finder can access the catalogue to make personalised recommendations which are stocked in the relevant store for customers.

The technology is powered by Preferabli and it’s the first time it’s being integrated by a grocery retailer in the UK.

7. Retail Technology Show and Retail AI Council bring artificial intelligence innovation to RTS 2025

Retail Technology Show (RTS) has partnered with Retail AI Council to bring the latest innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) to its 2025 show, which takes place on 2nd-3rd April at London ExCel.

According to RTS’ latest data, AI is now the top technology UK retail leaders believe will unlock and accelerate growth for their businesses in 2025. Polling over 2,000 senior UK retail professional, its study revealed AI as the top innovation growth accelerator (51%), followed by Generative AI (Gen AI) for 44% and personalisation technologies (25%).

Retail AI Council is a global retailer led community. Its mission is to provide a collaborative platform where retailers and industry partners can come together to network, share best practice and exchange knowledge, and explore the vast possibilities offered by AI technologies to accelerate its adoption and applications within the sector.

The Retail AI Councill Pavillion (Stand E10) will feature a hand picked selection of US suppliers, curated for the progressive nature of their future forward AI powered solutions. 

This includes Monetate, a digital merchandising, testing and personalisation AI technology; KWI, an AI first unified commerce and PoS platform;  Sophelle, a retail management consultancy; and Newmine, an applied AI returns reduction solution.

8. Asos bolsters its retail tech function with appointment of Przemek Czarnecki as EVP Technology

Asos has announced the appointment of Przemek Czarnecki, who joined as EVP Technology in February, taking over from Interim EVP Technology, Hugh Williams.

Przemek brings 30 years of experience in digital engineering and engineering management, with a focus on digital technology and e-commerce. He has worked across Europe and the US, most recently as VP, Software Engineering at Zalando.

The appointment is part of organisational changes to align Asos’ structure with its strategy and customer focused approach to driving growth. This follows the progress that the company, which last year slid to a huge loss as customers grappled with a cost-of-living crisis, has made to date, which includes reducing its stock levels, improving its product, and refinancing its debt, while making its operations more efficient and profitable. 

9. Primark on track to complete Click and Collect roll-out to all stores across Great Britain by summer

Primark is set to complete the roll-out of its Click & Collect service to all 186 stores across Great Britain by this summer.

From 26th February, Click & Collect will go live in a further 18 stores, which takes the number of locations offering it to 131, almost three-quarters of the retailer’s estate in Great Britain.

As part of the roll-out, people will be able to access thousands of Primark products through Click & Collect for the first time, across women’s, men’s, kids clothing and homeware.

The service also gives people access to new and expanded ranges they might not otherwise be able to get in their local store, including a clothing range which launched last month and has been specially designed around the needs of those living with a disability in partnership with adaptive designer and disability campaigner, Victoria Jenkins.

10. Co-op claims industry first as it launches Peckish rapid online grocery app for independent retailers

UK convenience specialist Co-op has announced the launch of a new rapid delivery grocery app, Peckish, which, in what is claimed to be a grocery retail first, offers a service to independent retailers looking to serve their customers and communities online.  

Peckish will enable small, often family owned, independent grocery businesses, shops and other co-operative retail societies to provide an online grocery shopping and delivery service to their local customers.

The app overcomes barriers that independent retailers face when moving to sell online, including cost, scale and resource, allowing smaller scale bricks and mortar retailers to have a presence online and enabling more consumers to quickly and conveniently shop local and support their high street stores.  

Co-op is making an initial £1 million investment for year one on Peckish, following a 30 store trial last year, and is targeting a first year sign up of over 1,000 stores, with potential to treble that by year three.   

Shoppers can use Peckish to choose their shop from the range of products the individual retailer has selected to put online. Retailers select the price - enabling them to match in-store prices and can choose whether to deliver the online orders themselves, or for it to be managed through Co-op’s order management system and delivered locally through its delivery partners including Just Eat and Uber Direct in as little as under 30 minutes.  

Peckish will link with a retailer’s EPoS system, saving manual tasks such as pricing and stock control and management. Retailers who sign up will also receive a range of support including data, trends and insight from Co-op’s quick commerce team, Point of Sale material, window stickers, leaflets, shelf talkers, digital and social media assets, posters and banners.