How do you solve a problem like Amazon Rufus?: last week's most read retail technology articles — Retail Technology Innovation Hub
Former Sainsbury's Transformation Director Nigel Blunt lands at TCSNigel Blunt has stepped into the role of Managing Partner for the EMEA Retail Strategic Initiatives Consulting Practice at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).Blunt spent almost eight years at Sainsbury’s, serving as the UK grocery giant’s Transformation Director. He has also worked at Argos, holding the role of Head of Operations Development.He said: “In this position, I’ll be working closely with retail leaders across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa to shape strategic initiatives that drive transformation at scale. Our focus will be on enabling intelligent enterprises, modernising value chains, and unlocking growth through data, automation, and AI powered decision making.”He added: “After years of leading transformation journeys and growing retail businesses globally, I’m thrilled to help drive innovation with such an impressive team. My focus will be on unlocking value across retail operations, from merchandising and marketing to supply chain, stores, and digital experiences.”Retail is at a pivotal moment, Blunt believes, arguing that success will come from bold strategies, empowered teams, and technology led reinvention. “I’m looking forward to collaborating with visionary leaders to build what’s next for the industry.”He concluded: “I’m deeply grateful for the hands on learning and diverse experiences I’ve gained working with retailers throughout my career. I look forward to building on that knowledge and sharing fresh perspectives with like minded retail leaders.”JD Sports Fashion's Dan McGrath looks back at 2025 store roll-outs, RFID pushesDan McGrath, JD Group Head of Customer Operations at JD Sports Fashion, has taken to social media to discuss how the retailer fared in 2025, a year that included major store roll-outs and RFID initiatives.McGrath said: “It was a year of real professional and personal growth but more importantly, a year defined by people. None of what we achieved happened through strategy or technology alone.”“It happened because of an exceptional, multi-skilled team who trusted each other, challenged constructively, and showed up every day with pace, care and pride in what we were building. My role was simply to create the space, direction and belief. They did the rest.”2025 highlights included:Building and winning support for a compelling business case, securing full Investment board sign-off.Designed, led and delivered a multi-million-pound, cross-functional programme which was on time, on budget and delivering against ROI KPIs.Took a PoC to full enterprise roll-out in 76 working days, aligning legal, supply chain, IT, infosec, tech, retail and training around a single outcome.Delivered to 414 stores across the UK and Ireland in 16 weeks, sustaining a pace of 25 stores per week without compromising quality.Created and delivered a fully immersive, week long change and culture programme on RFID, enabling 26 retail Change Champions to lead from the front.Partnered closely with brand partners, taking RFID from education and advocacy through to adoption into 2026.Christina Sharp exits Asda to join grocery retail rival Sainsbury's following Project Future pushChristina Sharp has left Asda, where she spent just over five years, most recently serving as Supplier Change Manager - Commercial Transformation, a job that involving working on the UK grocery giant’s Project Future initiative.In a LInkedIn post, she said: “Today I start a new chapter at Sainsbury's, leaving behind a hard working and dedicated team at Asda. It’s been an adventure and a challenge, personally and professionally. As I sit on the train London bound, I reflect on an amazing career so far with great colleagues and businesses and look forward with excitement to the next chapter.”Pricer partners with East of England Co-op in UK for first Avenue platform pilotPricer reports completion of its first pilot installation of Pricer Avenue, a communications platform delivering shelf-edge digital experiences, in partnership with East of England Co-op, a 120-store grocery retailer operating in the UK.The pilot was deployed across high value in-store zones and builds on East of England Co-op’s use of Pricer electronic shelf labels (ESLs).Pricer Avenue adds a larger format displays, powered shelf-edge layer that extends ESL functionality beyond pricing, with the aim of supporting clearer communication, more effective promotions, and richer in-aisle communication at the point of decision.“Avenue is bringing new energy to our key promotional areas. It’s a big step toward delivering a store experience that’s ready for the future,” says Rob Smith, Technology Officer at East of England Co-op.“The new shared Floating Canvas feature opens up fresh ways to talk to customers. It lets us highlight specific products, deliver rich brand storytelling and drive promotional engagement - right at the shelf edge.”
