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Articles by Ed Betts
From Price Strategy To Shelf Execution: The Importance Of Electronic Shelf-Edge Labels
Electronic shelf-edge labels (ESELs) are a powerful operational efficiency play. They replace paper labels, reduce labour costs and cut down on errors. That framing, however, undersells the opportunity here, because AI-driven pricing models are growing, and many retailers are now able to take advantage of algorithmic strategies which turn their data into action.
The Tectonic Shift in Retail Nobody’s Talking About
Imagine you can get anything you want — from dog food to a gold coin — delivered to your door in under ten minutes, at next-to-zero delivery cost, and cheaper than the local brick-and-mortar store. Most retail strategy functions are essentially extensions of the current operating model — managing inflation, optimising promotions, smoothing assortments. That work matters, but it cannot be the whole portfolio.
Etsy launches app in ChatGPT
Etsy’s app in ChatGPT is now live in beta, allowing users to search and compare Etsy items directly in conversation In September, the creative marketplace became the first live integration partner for ChatGPT Instant Checkout. That experience made something clear: ChatGPT works well as a discovery channel. Shoppers often chose to come to Etsy from their chats to learn more before making a purchase.
OTB Group shopping gets AI upgrade
OTB Group (the parent company of Diesel, Maison Margiela, and Marni) and Google Cloud are collaborating to launch a new generative AI-powered shopping experience The initiative deploys Google Cloud’s generative AI to empower client advisors with digital styling tools. This moves beyond standard product displays to offer a premium, curated clienteling service that bridges the gap between digital browsing and the physical boutique.
Ace Hardware enlists AI support
Hardware products supplier Ace Hardware has launched 'Hey ARMA,' an AI-powered assistant designed to support its red-vested associates with real-time information and guidance Operated through a handheld device, Hey ARMA provides associates with quick access to product knowledge, project advice, and recommendations, so they can focus on solving customer problems and delivering even better in-store service.
TomTom drives skills with AI
Location technology brand TomTom is partnering with AI learning platform HowNow as it transitions to a skills-based organisation As part of a bold two-year People strategy, TomTom engaged HowNow to reshape learning experiences and equip employees with skills-driven development paths. Accelerating skill readiness - to help TomTom adapt to fast-changing customer and market needs - was a key driver in the decision. The team was also impressed by HowNow’s AI skills mapping technology.
MACH X 2026: Spotlight on agent-ready retail
Retailers are finding that AI deployments and scale depend less on models than on disciplined data, architecture and governance, Miya Knights, Retail Technology Publisher, reports Retailers attending MACH X in Toronto this week heard that artificial intelligence (AI) is pushing composable technology from architecture principle to business necessity.
Retail Technology Show 2026: AI talk turns practical
Retailers focus less on AI hype and more on the data, infrastructure and operational change needed to make it work, writes Miya Knights, Retail Technology Publisher Artificial intelligence (AI) dominated the agenda at the Retail Technology Show 2026. But the most useful conversations at ExCeL London were not about novelty. They were about execution.
Planning under pressure: beating retail volatility with AI
Retail Express’ Ed Betts argues that retailers cannot afford to operate without clarity when data-driven tools are ready to drive next-level business decision-making Retail has become a game of constant adjustment. Costs change mid-quarter, supply chains shift, and demand no longer follows reliable patterns. Dealing with volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity, or VUCA, is now part of day-to-day retail operations.
Planning under pressure: beating retail volatilitywith AI
Retail Express’ Ed Betts argues that retailers cannot afford to operate without clarity when data-driven tools are ready to drive next-level business decision-making Retail has become a game of constant adjustment. Costs change mid-quarter, supply chains shift, and demand no longer follows reliable patterns. Dealing with volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity, or VUCA, is now part of day-to-day retail operations.
Building Smart: Enabling Retail’s AI Journey With Foundational Tools
AI insights are the catalyst of real change in the future, an essential component of meeting the quickening pace of retail. Many businesses have already undertaken the first steps of AI readiness. They’ve audited their data and its stores, they’ve aligned internal resources and attitudes, and they’ve made a commitment to a smarter retail future. But make no mistake, the next step on the journey is not to “do AI”. It is to build the foundational systems that make that future possible.
The Real And Current Opportunities Of Artificial Intelligence In Retail
Tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek have attracted a lot of press attention, but the coverage they get only paints half of the picture of AI. Predictive, problem-solving AI, which analyses data to provide insights and enable powerful automations, is arguably more transformative. Ultimately, the three biggest goals of any retailer are driving revenue, increasing profit, and improving customer experience.
Bad bots | News | Retail Technology
Tim Ayling, Vice President Cyber Security Solutions EMEA for Imperva, explains the rise of bad bots during peak season Cybercriminals are opportunists, channelling their efforts towards the easiest targets and vulnerabilities, and ramping up attacks when there are more online users to target. Black Friday and the Christmas shopping season is one such profitable period – and not just for retailers.
Retail Technology | Future Retail View: Scaling tech to meet growing content demands
Retail Technology interviews John Williams, Amplience co-CEO and chief technology officer at Amplience, on the growing need for dynamic and personalised commerce content A recent survey found that almost two-thirds (64%) of digitally engaged consumers would click away from a brand's website if it didn’t offer a personalised experience.
Joint Business Planning: Stronger Partnership Through Analytics & Automation
For all that unites them, retailers and suppliers plan in very different ways. Suppliers typically look for certainty to manage production runs and supply chain logistics efficiently and want a plan which allows them to build their business safely, steadily, and surely. Retailers need certainty, too, but also need to respond quickly to changes in market dynamics while looking to achieve the best possible margin, tight stock management, and a good profit.
Retail Technology | The human resource
Steve Elcock, founder & CEO of elementsuite, provides the top 8 HR-in-retail insights to address staffing challenges in 2024 Whilst 2023 wasn’t anticipated to be a normal year in UK retail, there are some encouraging signs that the high street is looking stronger. Meanwhile, turbulent times lie ahead from an HR and talent perspective, with the opportunities of a long-term retail career path diminishing.
Fight Inflation With Algorithmic Retailing: A Strategy For Growth In A Difficult Market
Inflation remains a huge problem for consumers reticent to spend and retailers struggling to stay afloat. While the rate of inflation is in slight decline, it is still more than three times the BoE’s 2% target. Shop prices rose at an annual rate of 6.2% in September, down from 6.9% in August according to figures published by the British Retail Consortium. Inflation rates may be dropping, but this has no impact on the average consumer.
Min Yang, US Market Growth Lead at Alibaba.com shares her insights into the e-commerce sector
Firstly, it would be great to get to know you a bit better. Could you tell me about your career history, and how you got involved in the world of e-commerce and Alibaba? I have been with Alibaba.com for almost three years, working in multiple roles. I started leading business development and partnerships before transitioning to work with customers directly leading the customer success operation.
Retail Technology | eBay adds AI image listing tool
eBay’s new listing tool uses artificial intelligence to extrapolate details about listings from images The new image-based listing tool allows sellers to take or upload a photo in the eBay app (iOS-only for now) and watch AI fill in item information details.
Retail Technology | M&S turns to AI intelligence
Iconic a British retailer Marks & Spencer will deploy new AI-based technology on handheld devices that compares images captured of products in stores to store-specific planograms, providing an instant view of compliance on store shelves. The comprehensive real-time insights generated by SymphonyAI Store Intelligence creates a connected-store environment, giving store colleagues prioritised tasks to quickly bring shelves into full planogram compliance.
Retail Technology | Elemis gets AI makeover
British skincare brand Elemis is launching a new skin diagnostic experience The Elemis AI Skin Experience created with Perfect Corp will provide customers with a detailed skin assessment, and match shoppers with the best skincare product regimen for their unique needs. It will be a mobile-only experience launching on elemis.com in the UK and US and will provide the consumer with an overall skin score and identifies the users’ top skin concerns.
Retail Technology | Availability Vs inventory: One plan to rule them all
Ed Betts, General Manager - Retail Lead Europe at Retail Express, considers theimportance of a central planning platform and AI-driven forecasting to ensure seasonal event success. The retail calendar year is a busy one. The industry plays a pivotal role in making fixed seasonal events special, in setting the tone, creating the ambience and making every occasion memorable.
Refocus on promotional mix over price to win back customer loyalty
By Ed Betts, General Manager – Retail Lead Europe at Retail Express Grocery price inflation has hit a record high, resulting in the prediction that households will face an extra £788 on their annual shopping bill[1]. Worried customers have already made adjustments to shopping patterns and cut back spending.
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