last week’s biggest retail technology plays at a glance — Retail Technology Innovation Hub

Chelsea Football Club

Chelsea Football Club has announced a partnership with FPT Corporation, a Vietnam-based technology solutions provider which specialises in supporting digital transformation journeys with AI enabled services and solutions.

Todd Kline, President of Commercial at Chelsea Football Club, says: “As we celebrate our 120th anniversary, we know our future will be shaped not only by our commitment to success on the pitch but by the transformation of our club using technology.”

“Vietnam has experienced significant growth in recent years and emerged as a global digital hub, thanks to the energy and spirit of its people. FPT’s expertise in core business systems, data intelligence, and AI makes them the perfect partner to propel Chelsea FC into this new era.”

Lyft

Lyft Media and StackAdapt have announced a programmatic in-app ad solution, enabling brands, agencies, and merchants to connect with millions of Lyft riders daily through hyper-localised, intent driven advertising. The partnership is powered by Kevel.

“Partnering with Lyft and Kevel opens an extraordinary advertising avenue for agencies to engage a mobile, diverse audience,” says Greg Joseph, VP of Inventory Development at StackAdapt. “Together, we’re transforming the local ad experience by connecting brands, agencies, merchants, and restaurants to consumers at meaningful points in their daily lives.”

“We’re thrilled to create new opportunities for brands to connect with riders seamlessly and in ways that elevate the ride experience,” says Shane Dwyer, Head of Sales, Lyft Media. “Lyft’s partnership with StackAdapt provides a unique way for programmatic buyers to reach consumers at key moments through strategic placements in the rider journey, delivering value for both riders and advertisers.”

With more than 40 million active riders per year, Lyft’s platform reaches a variety of audiences, including commuters, event goers, and travellers. Lyft Media’s digital offerings are available in the app across the US and include formats such as video and poster units, complemented by first-party targeting and measurement capabilities.

Temu

Temu has announced a partnership with PlentyONE, an e-commerce ERP software provider.

By integrating PlentyONE’s marketplace ecosystem, sellers on Temu can enhance their operational efficiency from inventory to order processing and unlock new opportunities as they grow internationally.

Merchants from PlentyONE’s ecosystem are also tapping into Temu’s marketing and logistics approach, benefit from competitive pricing led by streamlined supply chains, and expand their global presence with the support of Temu.

Uber Advertising and Instacart

Uber Advertising is set to leverage Instacart’s Carrot Ads solution in the US to help extend the reach of its Sponsored Items formats to CPG advertisers.

Beginning this month, CPG advertisers in the US will be able to reach millions of high intent grocery and retail marketplace customers on Uber Eats via the Carrot Ads solution.

Instacart’s Carrot Ads performance advertising capabilities will also enhance the user experience on the Uber Eats grocery and retail marketplace with increased discoverability of relevant products and brands.

“By enabling access to Uber Eats Sponsored Items in the US via Instacart’s Carrot Ads solution, we believe we can better meet the needs of more CPG brands – especially those making network buys,” says Travis Colvin, GM of Grocery & Retail at Uber Advertising.

“Our advertising team already works with many of the world’s largest brands directly, but we want to be there for brands of all sizes to help them easily reach our engaged audience in a way that suits them. For the US market, we believe this integration best achieves that goal.”

Albertsons Companies

SheerID has announced a partnership with Albertsons Companies, a food and drug retailer in the United States whose banners include Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, ACME and Shaw’s.

Albertsons Cos. stores are now offering SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programme) customers a 50% discount on the FreshPass programme.

For $49 per year, SNAP recipients can get a range of benefits and exclusive perks at all Albertsons’ stores including free delivery on grocery orders over $30; additional savings on Albertsons Cos.’ O Organics and Open Nature brands; and points that don’t expire.

Weee!

Weee!, the largest ethnic e-grocer in the US, is now accepting SNAP/EBT benefits, formerly known as food stamps. This is made possible through a partnership with Forage, a USDA approved EBT payments processor.

For the one in eight Americans who rely on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programme), access to familiar, culturally relevant ingredients can be a challenge. By integrating EBT payments, Weee! says it is ensuring that Asian and other diverse communities can shop for the foods that bring comfort and nourishment to their tables.

“Food is more than sustenance – it’s culture, tradition, and identity,” says Larry Liu, Founder and CEO at Weee!. “By accepting SNAP, we’re reaffirming our commitment to making cultural discovery through food, accessible and affordable for all.”

Stadium

Swedish sporting goods retailer Stadium has partnered with PostNord TPL to tackle a major supply chain challenge.

In a LinkedIn post, PostNord TPL said: “Together with Stadium, we have developed a logistics solution for marketplace vendors, where TPL will handle and deliver the items to the end customer. In this way, vendors no longer need to have their own warehouses – a solution that is sustainable both economically and from an environmental perspective.”

“For several years, we have had Stadium Connect, a marketplace where brands within sports and sports fashion have the opportunity to sell directly to the customer through our channels,” says Peter Carlson Hellqvist, Supply Chain Development Manager at Stadium.

“Over these years, we have received feedback from some brands that they struggle with shipping directly to the end customer and maintaining our delivery times. Through our partnership with PostNord TPL and their expertise in logistics, we have now solved this challenge.”