Firebase is all the rage at the moment. However, here is a cautionary tale from a company who used it in production.
https://crisp.im/blog/why-you-should-never-use-firebase-realtime-database/
Reasons Not To Use Firebase
Google – The Future of Cloud Conference in London – 3-4th May
Very interesting - especially Dan Nelson who is Head of Data at Ocado who is talking right now about how Ocado uses Google Cloud.
Didn't realise Ocado have 1000 developers in the UK!
You can stream as well using this link:
https://cloudwebinars.withgoogle.com/events/next-live-emea-2017
The following is a typical Architecture diagram showing a solution built on Google Cloud.
The following is a Ocado's Architecture diagram showing thier solution Read more [...]
Ocado Share Price Jumps Eight per cent After Marks & Spencer Rumoured to be New Customer
Ocado's share price jumped by more than six per cent yesterday amid rumours that the firm will team up with Marks and Spencer to deliver food.
Last week, M&S chief executive Steve Rowe confirmed that a team was investigating a food delivery trial for the autumn. Subsequently, reports emerged that Ocado was in line to partner with M&S when it moves into the delivery business.
M&S has not confirmed the rumours. However, investors are clearly hoping that a deal with Ocado goes through; Read more [...]
Amazon Go – What Is It & How Does It Work?
Amazon Go is a brick-and-mortar grocery store
The Seattle-based store will open to to the public in 2017
The store features 'Just Walk Out' tech and works with an app
You can just walk in to Amazon Go, grab items, and leave
There's no need to wait in line or even check-out at a register
https://youtu.be/NrmMk1Myrxc
Amazon has described Amazon Go as "a new kind of store with no checkout required". That means, when you shop at Amazon Go, you'll never have to wait in line. The Read more [...]
M&S to cut 60 clothing and home stores & 53 International Stores (2100 employees)
From BBC - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37906466
Marks and Spencer has announced that over the next five years it will have 60 fewer clothing and home stores, of which 30 will close down.
The rest will be turned into food stores and chief executive Steve Rowe also plans to open 200 new Simply Food shops as part of turnaround plans.
The retailer said it would also exit 10 loss-making international markets.
Its announcements came as M&S reported falling sales and profits in the six Read more [...]
Tesco Bank Breached
From BBC - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37891742
Tesco Bank's chief executive has blamed "a systematic, sophisticated attack" for the money taken from 20,000 of its customer accounts.
Benny Higgins said the bank knew "exactly" what the attack was, but could not say more because it was part of a criminal investigation.
He said all affected customers would be refunded by the end of Tuesday.
About 40,000 accounts saw suspicious transactions over the weekend, of which half had money taken.
The Read more [...]
Six iconic retailers and their digital transformation journeys
Great article by econsultancy. I've worked at 3 of these retailers and have friends at another 2. I've added the eCommerce platforms they use.
https://econsultancy.com/blog/68216-six-iconic-retailers-and-their-digital-transformation-journeys
How is retail being changed by digital?
What better way to find out than by looking at six icons of retail, three from the US (Macy's, Walmart, Walgreens) and three from the UK (John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, and Boots).
Here are their Read more [...]
Sainsbury’s hires 150 digital experts for face-off with Amazon and Tesco
Sainsbury’s has doubled its digital and technology staff in the past year as competition from online retailers mounts
Sainsbury’s is hiring 150 digital and technology experts to help improve its online store as it finalises the buyout of Argos.
The team, who will work out of an existing Sainsbury’s office in Manchester’s Arndale centre, will include software developers and engineers and will work in partnership with 900 other digital and technology experts Read more [...]
Asda wine costing £4.37 is top of Decanter World Wine Awards
La Moneda Reserva Malbec from Central Valley in Chile (2015) was awarded best in show in the best single-varietal red under £15 at this year's Decanter World Wine Awards.
An Asda red Malbec priced at £4.37 has been named the best in the world in a blind tasting test with a panel of 240 experts at the world's largest and most influential wine competition.
La Moneda Reserva Malbec from Central Valley in Chile (2015) was awarded best in show in the best single-varietal red under £15 at Read more [...]
Sean Clarke to be Asda’s new chief executive
Walmart has appointed its China boss Sean Clarke as Asda’s new chief executive, replacing Andy Clarke who will step down at the end of July.
Asda said Andy Clarke had “decided the timing is right to step aside from his role with the company” after six years as chief executive and 20 years with the grocer overall.
Sean Clarke will join as Asda’s chief executive and president on July 11.
Sean Clarke began his retail career at Asda in 1996. Since then, he has worked at an Read more [...]