Digital + tech

Debenhams Group has promoted technology director Paul Aspden to the role of chief technology officer as it looks to scale its marketplace platform and accelerate the use of AI across the business.

Last year’s cyber-attacks on some of the industry’s biggest names have forced fashion retail to take security seriously – but despite greater investment, there remains a lack of confidence in their defences.

As retailers such as John Lewis and Frasers start to harness AI and its potential for easy hyper-personal shopping, Drapers explores the challenges they must tackle and priorities for businesses looking to stand out. 

Marks and Spencer has relaunched its Sparks loyalty programme, replacing points with cash rewards as it looks to drive customer spend and support its digital growth strategy.

Frasers Group has launched an AI-powered shopping assistant for its premium fashion retailer Frasers, reporting a 25% uplift in conversion rates since its introduction.

Primark has launched its first mobile app in the UK, as the value fashion retailer ramps up its digital capabilities and enhances its omnichannel offer.

Instagram is expanding its push into social commerce with a new strategy that allows creators to earn commission directly through Reels, as parent company Meta continues to build out monetisation tools across the platform.

FatFace has launched its first in-store personal styling service and has introduced a WhatsApp customer service channel, as it looks to enhance its multichannel customer experience.

AllSaints has today (2 April) announced plans to implement artificial intelligence (AI) across its buying and merchandising operations in a bid to become a business which is "data-driven and powered by AI".

Marks & Spencer is ramping up its use of artificial intelligence (AI) as it rolls out the latest AI tools for 11,000 employees, including all of its store managers.

Drapers examines the case for AI-generated fashion models as their use is on the rise, including the legal and ethical implications of replacing human models with the latest tech.

Supply chains are under pressure as never before as a result of instability and conflict. Drapers hears how businesses including Hackett London, Luca Faloni, Farfetch, Hugo Boss, Pentland Brands and London Sock Company are using artificial intelligence to optimise inventory management and mitigate disruption.