Designed to shift energy management from manual device control to goal-based optimization, SigenAgent lets users define outcomes while AI recommends and coordinates execution SHANGHAI, June 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —...
New Delhi: Leading digital commerce companies, including Amazon, Meesho, Swiggy, Zepto, and Eternal, have joined hands to launch the Digital Commerce Coalition (DCC), a new industry-led body aimed at addressing common challenges and supporting the long-term growth of India's digital commerce sector. The coalition has been created as a collaborative platform where industry players can engage with stakeholders, share knowledge, and contribute to policy discussions around the evolving digital economy. The DCC will focus on areas such as consumer trust, responsible innovation, supply chain efficiency, support for delivery partners, and expanding opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses participating in online commerce. Commenting on the launch, Jaskiran Bedi, Head of Public Policy at Eternal, said, "Digital commerce is making everyday consumption more convenient while also enabling new avenues of livelihood and entrepreneurship for millions. We believe the Coalition creates a strong case for collaboration across industry, and we look forward to contributing meaningfully to its shared vision." The initiative comes at a time when digital commerce adoption is accelerating across India, driven by growing internet access, increasing participation from Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets, and the emergence of new business models. The coalition said it aims to serve as a forum for stakeholder engagement, knowledge sharing, and thought leadership to ensure that the sector continues to grow in a responsible and future-ready manner. The DCC will be supported by public policy consulting firm Koan Advisory Group, which will act as the coalition's secretariat and help drive research, stakeholder engagement, and industry discussions. Prachi Bhuchar, Head of Public Policy at Meesho, highlighted the role of digital commerce in enabling entrepreneurship. She said, "At Meesho, we have seen firsthand how digital commerce can unlock entrepreneurship and economic opportunity at scale, particularly across small businesses and underserved markets. As e-commerce adoption deepens across Bharat, collaborative industry initiatives can help shape inclusive growth." Echoing the need for collective action, Rachit Ranjan, Chief Policy Officer at Zepto, said, "India's digital commerce sector is at an inflection point. The choices the industry makes now will shape how MSMEs access markets, how supply chains become more resilient, and how consumer trust is protected. The Digital Commerce Coalition is important because no single company can solve for these key priorities alone." Industry leaders believe the coalition will help create a unified approach to tackling policy, market development, and consumer protection issues as India's digital commerce ecosystem continues to expand.
At the opening day of Computex 2026, Lite-On Technology hosted an AI industry summit under the theme "Powering the AI-driven Future," where DIGITIMES chairman Colley Hwang moderated a cross-industry panel with Nvidia, Infineon Technologies, and Gigabyte subsidiary Giga Computing at the exhibition venue.
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RTIH Editor, Scott Thompson, brings you his stand out ‘future of retail’ technology deployments and launches from May, including Ocado Group, Asda, M&S, Catalyst Brands, 3D Cloud, Boot Barn, Coop Estonia, Kwik Trip, and Dollar General. Ocado Group and Asda Ocado Group and Asda have announced a partnership to develop the former’s online business across the UK with the Ocado Smart Platform. The focus of the tie up will be to quickly replace and upgrade Asda’s existing e-commerce infrastructure, with Ocado’s solutions to be rolled out across both stores and dark stores from 2027. The pair plan to deploy Ocado’s end-to-end solutions across Asda e-commerce operations. These include Ocado’s front-end (webshop), In-Store Fulfilment, and software to support last mile planning and route efficiency. Go live is set for early 2027. Using Ocado’s Smart Platform, Asdas say it will be able to offer a full range of online services, including scheduled and short lead-time orders, as well as Click & Collect. It will also use the platform to fulfil and deliver orders placed through aggregator platforms such as Uber Eats, Deliveroo, and Just Eat. Tim Steiner, CEO at Ocado Group, says: “We’re delighted that Asda has chosen Ocado to support the next phase of their online growth. The UK remains one of the world’s most competitive and fast evolving online grocery markets, where technology, scale and continuous innovation are increasingly important for retailers looking to maintain leadership positions." “Through this partnership, Asda will be able to deploy a technology platform already processing more than 70 million orders annually worldwide, supporting market leading customer propositions across 11 countries. Asda will also benefit from Ocado’s significantly evolved platform, giving them the flexibility to adapt as the market continues to develop.” Allan Leighton, Executive Chairman, Asda, says: “We are the cheapest full range supermarket, as consistently shown by independent price comparisons from Which? and The Grocer, and have a large, well established online offer. We know that continued success in this highly competitive market is dependent on providing a positive experience for customers every time they shop. Partnering with Ocado will strengthen our online offer and provide a consistent and high quality experience for millions of shoppers, from order through to delivery, while supporting our formula for growth.” Asda will be hoping that the move helps it tackle recent sales weakness under its private equity owners, TDR Capital and Mohsin Issa, and fight back against its rivals, including a buoyant Lidl GB . Its UK grocery market share has dropped from 14.3% before their 2021 takeover to 11.5%, according to Kantar data, leaving it just above Aldi on 10.8%. It’s also a much needed boost for Ocado Group, which has been ending mutual exclusivity contracts in most of the markets where its automation grocery tech is live, including in the US with Kroger. M&S M&S is introducing a WalkSafe Pro app, with the aim of helping colleagues feel safer when travelling alone or commuting at night. Powered by location-based insights from police, local authorities and community partners, WalkSafe Pro helps colleagues make more informed journey decisions by providing information based on both police data and precautionary insights from other app users. They can share their live journey with trusted contacts, while SOS alerts connect directly to Mitie’s 24/7 control centre, enabling real-time monitoring, assessment and a coordinated response where required. The app can also be used outside of work. Over time, M&S stores will also be marked as designated ‘safe spaces’ within the app, supported by colleague training. This means users will be able to identify nearby stores as a place to step inside, feel reassured and seek support if they feel unsafe during a journey. Thinus Keeve, M&S Retail Director, says: "Our colleagues’ need for safety doesn’t stop when a shift ends - and our colleagues have told us that travelling to and from work can be when they feel most vulnerable. WalkSafe is a simple but powerful way we’re responding. It’s another way we’re continuing to invest in security – helping our people stay connected and supported wherever they are. And as our stores will become WalkSafe Safe Spaces, we’re to extend our role into the communities we serve, helping to create safer environments for everyone." Catalyst Brands Humanoid robotics company Figure has signed a commercial agreement with Catalyst Brands, the operator of JCPenney, Aéropostale, and Brooks Brothers. The initial phase involves Catalyst Brands’ Reno, Nevada distribution logistics centre. The pair aim to automate repetitive, physically demanding sorting and packing tasks, freeing associates to focus on higher skill functions. Figure’s humanoids will first focus on aiding associates in the facility’s Joey Pouch sorting system sequencing, a computerised induction, sorting and packing system. “As we invest in and scale our portfolio, this collaboration with Figure shows how emerging technologies can modernise our operations while strengthening our workforce,” says Marc Rosen, CEO at Catalyst Brands. “When we automate routine tasks, our associates can focus on higher value work and better serve our customers across all our brands.” “Catalyst Brands poses a unique opportunity for Figure to partner with a company in an ambitious expansion phase,” says Brett Adcock, Founder and CEO at Figure. “As Catalyst Brands scales its multi-brand portfolio, our humanoids provide a standardised labour solution that can be deployed across diverse industries instantly. This collaboration establishes the playbook for how AI driven hardware can serve as a primary growth engine for modern holding companies.” Hellenic Hypermarkets Sklavenitis Hanshow has announced a collaboration with Greek retailer Hellenic Hypermarkets Sklavenitis. Operating over 460 stores along with distribution centres and eMarket facilities nationwide, Sklavenitis serves more than 680,000 customers daily. With a broad product assortment and high store traffic, simplifying internal processes and maintaining operational consistency are critical priorities for the smooth and reliable operation of its stores. To support these priorities, Sklavenitis has initiated a nationwide technology roll-out in partnership with Hanshow , deploying electronic shelf labels across its store portfolio. This will standardise Hanshow's Nebular Ultra ESL series across the network. Nebular Ultra enables precise product placement and strong shelf‐level visibility, with the aim of supporting planogram execution and operational management at scale. The deployment also establishes a digital shelf infrastructure capable of supporting future in-store innovations. Combined with technologies such as computer vision and smart shopping carts, the high precision shelf framework can enable advanced automation, real-time shelf monitoring, and new data driven retail applications as part of Sklavenitis' broader digital transformation roadmap. "As grocery retail becomes increasingly complex and regulated, leading retailers like Sklavenitis are rethinking the role of in‐store infrastructure," says Liangyan Li, SVP and Head of Global Sales at Hanshow. "This collaboration is about building a digital foundation that supports accuracy, efficiency, and long‐term adaptability, and our role is to enable that strategy at scale." SPAR Austria Following a five month trial, SPAR Austria is expanding its use of Simbe’s Tally inventory robot to six EUROSPAR and INTERSPAR stores. The aim is to reduce employee workload while improving customer service. A trial at a EUROSPAR supermarket in Sagedergasse and INTERSPAR hypermarket in Eisenstadt demonstrated the contribution that digital technologies can make to day-to-day supermarket operations, according to those involved. SPAR is the first food retailer in Austria to use an inventory robot in regular store operations. The robot moves through the store several times a day, scanning shelves, identifying inventory levels and gaps, and automatically transmitting this information to mobile devices used by employees without disrupting daily operations. Missing products can be identified early and restocked quickly. In a press release, SPAR states: “The results show that automated shelf scans can significantly reduce time-consuming inspection rounds and the search for missing inventory. This noticeably reduces employee workload, allowing them to devote more time to advising and assisting customers. Acceptance in stores has also been high. The inventory robot is seen as friendly, moves quietly and safely through the aisles thanks to its sensors, and automatically avoids people. Image data of people captured incidentally is deleted immediately and not processed further.” Just Eat Just Eat has launched what is pitched as Europe’s first food and retail ordering service through WhatsApp, allowing customers to browse and place orders directly within a WhatsApp chat through its partnership with Meta. A pilot will roll-out over the coming months in Spain and the Netherlands, allowing customers to message what they are looking for, such as “pizza for four” or “healthy lunch nearby”, and receive tailored recommendations powered by conversational AI before checking out through the Just Eat app. This builds on the roll-out of an AI voice assistant in the UK and recent Alexa+ collaboration with Amazon . Mert Öztekin, CTO at Just Eat, says: “By introducing Europe’s first WhatsApp ordering flow, Just Eat are not just adding a new channel; we are redefining the paradigm of convenience. This innovation is a core component of our evolution from a transactional menu application into a truly intelligent AI Life Assistant that understands customer intent in real-time. We are proud to be the first to market in Europe, proving that Just Eat is at the absolute forefront of AI driven transformation. We are a technology business first, our priority is to drive operational excellence through automation and smart technology that simplifies the lives of consumers." Geraldine Bouma, Country Director Benelux at Meta, says: “Chatting to businesses to check travel plans, make a reservation or browse a catalogue is already a way of life for many people around the world. We’re excited that more people in Europe will soon have the opportunity to use WhatsApp to order food and get things done.” Kwik Trip Kwik Trip , a convenience store chain in the United States, has partnered with Eagle Eye, a SaaS and AI technology company that delivers loyalty, personalised promotions and omnichannel marketing solutions for retail, travel and hospitality brands. As a result, participating CPG brands will be able to engage Kwik Trip’s 5.25 million loyalty members through individually targeted and gamified promotions rather than broad discounts. Eagle Eye’s platform can provide campaign performance reporting to participating suppliers, supporting sales attribution and ROI measurement. “Our CPG partners have always been central to how we deliver value for our guests, and the partnership with Eagle Eye gives us an entirely new way to work with them. With Personalised Challenges, we can offer brands a targeted, measurable promotional vehicle that drives real incremental behaviour. That's a win for our guests, our suppliers, and our business,” says David Jackson, Director of Loyalty and Digital Marketing at Kwik Trip. 3D Cloud 3D Cloud has announced the upcoming release of Chloe, an AI powered kitchen design assistant built on the company's recently minted AI patent for conversational AI-based design and the 3D Cloud Platform Visual Configure, Price, Quote (CPQ) workflow. Chloe is designed to help consumers co-create buyable, professional quality kitchen designs through interactive 3D visualisation. The solution promises an accurate Visual CPQ for kitchen manufacturers and retailers that produces HD renders of the finished space and a complete PDF packet with a bill of materials. "For decades, selling kitchens has been slow and dependent on expert designers," says Beck Besecker, CEO and Co-Founder at 3D Cloud . "We're combining AI with data driven 3D design tools to deliver faster service, improve the customer experience, and produce accurate designs that can be priced, turned into a bill of materials, and purchased in the same workflow." "Customers expect faster answers and fewer steps. This approach aligns with that expectation and connects directly to how products are configured, priced, and sold. It's definitively the future of kitchen design." Asos Asos has launched Stylist, an app in ChatGPT that brings fashion discovery through products and video content to customers in the UK and US. This helps customers discover Asos products directly in ChatGPT and shop them on the fast fashion giant’s website. It has been built using video commerce platform Bambuser. Stylist uses Bambuser’s new Intelligence Layer capability and video player widget to turn Asos’ product catalogue and video library into structured, machine readable data that can be processed, retrieved, and returned, by large language models (LLMs) in real-time as shoppable videos. Shoppers can browse individual products or complete looks by category, occasion, or trend, receive styling guidance, and explore pieces from hundreds of brands. For example, when Stylist responds to a prompt such as “show me pastel floral A-line dresses for spring” it instantly searches across Asos’ brand portfolio and returns a curated edit tailored to the context of the conversation. Customers can see products in motion through video, click through for more details, and continue their journey on Asos.com to explore and purchase. The experience is designed to be highly visual, bringing immersive product imagery and video, including livestream content, directly into the chat. When customers click on a product this expands to show more details, including pricing, and customers can tap through to “Shop on Asos” to complete their purchase. Southern Co-op Southern Co-op has announced a new partnership with Snappy Shopper, enabling customers across 140 stores to access rapid grocery delivery through a digital ordering experience. Through Snappy Shopper’s Order Aggregation (OA) technology, Southern Co-op has also integrated with Foodhub, expanding customer access points and enabling a more connected and scalable e-commerce experience across multiple ordering channels. Early performance indicators have demonstrated strong customer adoption and engagement, with an average order value of £28 alongside the launch of a rewards led promotional strategy designed to drive retention and repeat purchasing behaviour. Customer incentives include £17 in rewards, £2 off orders over £50, £5 off orders over £80 and £10 off orders over £120. The initiative additionally incorporates scratchcard promotional mechanics aimed at increasing customer retention, driving repeat orders and enhancing overall customer engagement with the platform. Greg Deacon, VP - Snappy Media, Groups and Business Development at Snappy Shopper, says: “ Southern Co-op is a fantastic example of a community-focused retailer embracing digital convenience in a way that still keeps local stores at the centre of the customer experience.” “This roll-out demonstrates how convenience retailers can use rapid delivery not only to drive additional sales, but also to strengthen customer loyalty through accessible, flexible shopping solutions. By combining rapid delivery with integrated ecommerce capabilities, retailers can expand customer reach while maintaining strong local connections within their communities. We’re proud to support Southern Co-op as it continues to evolve its ecommerce offering across such a significant store estate.” Anuj Christi, Head of Store Operations at Southern Co-op, says: “Our stores are at the heart of the communities they serve, and this is about making it even easier for customers to access them in a way that fits around their day.” “Whether it’s helping someone who can’t easily get to the shop, or simply saving time for busy households, this service builds on the different ways people can shop with us while keeping that important local connection. We’re delighted to be partnering with Snappy Shopper to bring home delivery to more customers across our communities.” Carrefour Carrefour reports that 50 of its private label products now feature QR codes powered by GS1. The move builds on the French retail giant initially adopting the technology across its private label wine products. “The barcode is 52 years (half a century!) of a system deeply rooted in the entire distribution chain. This is why cohabitation with 2D codes is a major transformation, far from being anecdotal for mass consumption,” says Miguel Ángel González Gisbert, Global and France Chief Digital Officer at Carrefour . “The increase in possible data - from 13 characters to more than 4,000 - is not just a technical feat: it is an open door to concrete improvements for our customers, as well as for our employees in stores and logistics. At the level of a distributor like us, this lever has enabled us to anticipate regulatory changes, starting with wines and spirits, before extending to textiles and batteries.” He adds: “Today we are taking a new step for our customers. Thanks to the great collaboration between the MDC and digital teams, 50 products from our own brands already have a QR code on their packaging. A little scan and hey presto, our customers discover everything: online purchase, product information and (soon) the history of the brand. It's easy transparency, without cluttering up our packaging.” “This project is particularly close to my heart because it enhances our private labels. As a loyal customer, I am convinced that our private labels are among the best on the market, with nuggets such as Reflets de France. This brand embodies the richness of our terroirs with exceptional products such as Normandy shortbread, Espelette pepper pâté or Normandy Camembert. A real treat! These 50 or so references are only the first step in a profound transformation. The deployment of QR codes is intensifying in the coming months.” Boot Barn Boot Barn Holdings is set to deploy the Aptos ONE Point of Sale platform across its 500-plus US locations. By transitioning to this mobile first solution, the lifestyle retailer is aiming to streamline IT operations while enabling associates to deliver cohesive, high touch shopping experiences. Beyond the store, Boot Barn will leverage Aptos ONE to power its large scale pop-up activations, including rodeos and music festivals. “As a high growth retailer, scalability was nonnegotiable in our search for a next-generation PoS platform," says Julie Ting, Senior Vice President of IT at Boot Barn. "We required a flexible solution capable of evolving alongside our business. By adopting Aptos ONE, we are reducing technical debt and lowering our total cost of ownership, all while empowering our teams to go above and beyond for customers, whether in our stores or at a major pop-up event." Aptos General Manager Jeremy Grunzweig says: “It is a privilege to deepen our longstanding partnership with Boot Barn as they embark on this exciting new phase of growth. Aptos ONE will give Boot Barn’s associates the tools they need to deliver exceptional experiences - in-store, at events and beyond - while providing the operational agility the business needs to scale confidently toward its long-term vision.” Coop Estonia Estonian grocery retailer Coop has chosen StrongPoint and Vusion for a project involving the digitalisation of its stores. The companies will act as its exclusive electronic shelf labels supplier. The value of the contract could reach approximately eight million euros. The ESLs will be rolled out in a selection of Coop Estonia’s stores. The project is scheduled to commence in the second half of 2026. StrongPoint Baltics will be the main contractor for the installations, service and support. Coop Estonia is the largest grocery retailer in Estonia, with approximately a 23% market share. It operates 320 stores and employs around 6,000 people. Coop also uses self-checkouts, a self-scanning solution, in-store collection point Vensafe and other solutions from StrongPoint. “This agreement represents a major milestone for StrongPoint. It reflects the confidence our long-standing customer places in our outstanding local Baltic team, built through a long standing close partnership and a strong culture of customer intimacy,” says Jacob Tveraabak, CEO at StrongPoint. “This is our first major Vusion electronic shelf labels project following the launch of our multi-faceted partnership, and it demonstrates both the potential and the strategic importance of our collaboration with Vusion.” “Together with StrongPoint, we are supporting Coop in transforming store operations. We connect the shelf to digital workflows, enabling faster, smoother operations, while elevating in-store execution. The result is a more efficient, scalable model that better serves both store teams and customers. This milestone also reinforces our growing footprint in the Baltic region,” says Sébastien Fourcy, EVP EMEA at Vusion. Dollar General Kevel has partnered with Dollar General and The Trade Desk to deliver a retail media solution that unifies onsite and offsite activation with consistent measurement. They say that retail media today is often fragmented, with separate systems for onsite and offsite activation and limited visibility into performance across channels. This collaboration, those involved claim, addresses those gaps by connecting inventory, activation, and measurement into a single, decisioned approach to commerce media. The solution combines Dollar General’s onsite retail media inventory with offsite activation across the open internet through The Trade Desk, supported by Kevel’s retail media technology.
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