Bodi.Me develops bespoke sizing tool for new Marks and Spencer gender neutral staff uniforms

Bodi.Me, a specialist in sustainable fashion fit technology, has collaborated with uniform and work wear supplier, Incorporatewear, to develop a bespoke fittings solution for Marks and Spencer’s new gender neutral staff uniforms.

M&S’ staff uniform supplier, Incorporatewear, presented Bodi.Me with a significant challenge: how to seamlessly incorporate M&S’ new collection and support the retailer’s approximately 14,000 members of staff with the transition.

Starting with its existing Size-Me platform, Bodi.Me developed Size-Me 3.0 for the task. The bespoke version of the UK based SaaS company’s garment sizing solution has been specifically tailored to mitigate the uncertainties associated with size selection for gender neutral collections.

It uses data from more than 350,000 3D body models, incorporating AI, the latest machine learning integrated with its proprietary algorithms to extrapolate a complete size and fit recommendation from a few simple questions.

To support M&S’s team, the Size-Me 3.0 also introduced a set of questions for each wearer to address. It uses touch free body measurements and requires no intrusive wearer photos or body scans and all data is entirely confidential.

Ready to eat meal specialist Factor taps automated and green technology at new US production facility

Factor, an American ready to eat meal delivery service, has announced the opening of a new production centre in Goodyear.

It says that the 300,100 square foot facility will serve as one of the largest industrial kitchens in the US.

Factor was born in 2013 out of Chicago, IL. Since its acquisition in 2020 by the HelloFresh Group, it has been leveraging HelloFresh’s direct-to-consumer capabilities and technology infrastructure.

Additionally, it has increased its menu offering by 75%, enabling consumers to choose among a wider selection of meals, including more keto, calorie smart, protein plus, vegetarian, and vegan dishes.

Fanatics hires former Opendoor and GoDaddy exec Andrew Low Ah Kee as Fanatics Commerce CEO

Digital sports platform, Fanatics, has announced the appointment of Andrew Low Ah Kee as Chief Executive Officer at its largest business, Fanatics Commerce.

Fanatics Commerce is a designer, manufacturer, and seller of licensed fan gear, jerseys, lifestyle and streetwear products, headwear, and non-apparel hardgoods.

Low Ah Kee most recently served as President at Opendoor, an e-commerce platform for residential real estate transactions.

Getir backs launch of Transport for London Road Safety Charter for those delivering meals or groceries

Turkish rapid grocery delivery firm, Getir, has partnered with Transport for London (TfL)  and signed its road safety charter, which has ten principles and looks to address the disproportionate risk faced by motorcycle couriers and pedestrians alike.

According to TfL, between 2017 and 2021, with only 2.6% of vehicle kilometres driven, motorcycles made up 27% of fatal accidents in the capital.

Getir has worked with TfL, Deliveroo, Stuart, Just Eat and Uber eats to develop the safety charter, which is key to Mayor Sadiq Khan’s Vision Zero goal of eliminating death and serious injury from the transport network.

Principles within it include ensuring that couriers meet the legal requirements for working and riding in the UK. 

Getir will participate in TfL’s six monthly Meal and Grocery Delivery Company Road Safety Forum where companies will discuss implementation and progress of the charter, and build on ideas to improve road safety.

Tern Capital acquires retail space planning specialist and 2023 RTIH Innovation Awards sponsor CADS

CADS, a UK-based firm that operates in the retail planning and software market sectors, has announced its acquisition by Tern Capital.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

In a press release, CADS says that the decision to join forces with Tern was made by its board alongside its Dutch owners Boskalis with “careful consideration of how it would benefit employees, clients, partners, and stakeholders.”

“This strategic move aims to enhance capabilities, expand reach, and reinforce CADS’ commitment to delivering exceptional services and solutions”.

It adds: “At the heart of this acquisition is the shared vision of both organisations – to empower CADS to further elevate its offerings and remain at the forefront of the industry.”

“With the support and resources of Tern, we will continue to provide the same level of outstanding service and dedication that our clients and partners have always enjoyed.”

XPO Logistics rolls out Hunic Exoskeleton to all parts of UK and Ireland following pilot trial

XPO has completed a pilot trial of Hunic exoskeleton suit safety equipment and will deploy the technology across the UK and Ireland before the end of this year.

The suits were introduced to XPO Logistics network sites and some dedicated warehouses in January, including Crick (Scania), the Leicester shared user warehouse (Samsung), and the Volkswagen Group UK National Parts Distribution Centre in Dordon, Glen Dimplex, and Daimler in Milton Keynes.

Current users at each site are helping to train wider groups on how to use the suits.

Hunic Exoskeleton technology assists wearers with heavy lifting duties, ensuring their posture is correct to reduce the chance of injury.

It significantly reduced the fatigue felt by those working in the five XPO depots where the suits were tested.

Productivity improved as well: After using the suits at the Samsung operations, there was a 15-20% reduction in unloading time.