Federico Puccioni

Coin: Crafting a Seamless Phyigital Shopping Experience ?️? Coin, a leading Italian luxury department store chain, embraces phygital shopping – blending online and offline touchpoints for a seamless customer journey. Partnering with Vodafone, Coin adopts a software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) for secure and centralised control, driving growth through predictive analytics and tailored experiences. As consumer demand for hybrid experiences continues, Coin remains dedicated to bridging physical and digital realms with click-and-collect services and personalised SMS offers. #IoT #CustomerExperience #PhygitalShopping #VodafoneBusiness https://lnkd.in/eguirPiP

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Toby Xu, Alibaba Group's chief financial officer , told ItaliaOggi how #AI is no longer just an additional element, but the core of the Chinese e-commerce giant's model. At the heart of Alibaba 's strategy is the transition from the concept of ‘reactive AI’ to ‘proactive AI’. Unlike a simple chatbot, #Qwen's #agenticAI doesn't just process information and provide textual responses, but performs concrete actions. And the user no longer has to switch between applications. #MilanoCortina2026 #WinterOlympics

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Last week I shared that InPost’s client portfolio in Italy is structurally different - heavily concentrated among high-growth retailers. That post looked at growth exposure. Today, let’s look at retailer portfolio size – whether each provider’s portfolio leans towards larger, more complex retailers or the smaller end of the market. To build this, we estimated a size score (0–100) for every Italian webshop (90k+) by blending traffic, product and brand portfolio, financial signals, and assortment scale. Then we mapped which retailers each delivery provider actually works with. DPD BRT, GLS and Poste Italiane look fairly similar. All three work across mid- and large-sized retailers, and with tens of thousands of clients, their size distribution naturally converges. InPost’s portfolio is different. It has a concentrated focus on large and very large retailers. Compared to DPD BRT, GLS and Poste Italiane, InPost has roughly 4× the share of large retailers in its portfolio. Why this matters Size and growth exposure together provide a much clearer picture of where the Italian last-mile market is heading. A provider serving large, fast-scaling retailers compounds volume very differently from one serving the long tail. And as OOH networks expand and checkout configurations shift, these portfolio structures will shape which providers accelerate – and which absorb SMB volatility. If you would like to see the earlier post on growth exposure, link in the comments.

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E-commerce needs more systems thinking—and AI can help. Last week, I was having dinner with Giampiero Di Tizio and Matteo Latini, and we landed on something interesting: one of the main failure modes for a brand is when its people only understand and optimize for their part of the business. A few examples I’ve seen in the wild: → The CRO pushing for experimentation, while the CBO pushes for brand consistency. → The CTO pushing for performance improvements, while the CEO pushes for the next big launch. → The CMO pushing for aggressive discounting, while the CFO pushes for margin preservation. Left unchecked, this creates a dangerous illusion: everyone is optimizing their piece of the business, hitting their KPIs, working at full capacity, but the brand isn't actually moving forward. Local optima everywhere, no global progress. The traditional model sees strong leadership acting as the orchestration layer, translating between functions, making the calls, keeping everyone aligned. But at the speed e-commerce moves now, that model breaks. Your carefully crafted plan is stale before you execute it. And that's assuming you had time to make a plan in the first place. For once, I feel somewhat bullish that AI could help: (1) By abstracting away the “last mile” of whatever you’re doing (e.g., writing code, designing a campaign, planning demand), it allows you to step away from the day-to-day, even if only for a moment, and focus on the bigger picture instead. (2) By making it easier to generate lateral and contrarian thinking, it allows you to understand how your actions are constrained by and influence other areas of the business, which over time should help you train your systems muscle. In practice, this might look like a marketer using AI to quickly model how a promo impacts inventory flow and margin—not to become a finance expert, but to think like one for a moment before pulling the trigger. Or a dev using AI to get a deeper understanding of the why behind a feature request and generate alternative solutions, so they're not just building what's asked, but building what actually moves the business forward. Right now, most teams are using AI to go faster in their silo. The next opportunity is to use it to break out of the silo entirely. And the brands that figure that out first are going to be dangerous. #ecommerce #systemsthinking #ai

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Not yet the META - Metaverse promises made 3 years ago to investors; but solide foundations for a sale and tech quantum leap 🚀

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Twini adapts your e-commerce store in real-time for every shopper. Paolo Picazio (Country Manager @Shopify) uses Twini as a real example of AI-driven personalization for Shopify brands. In the video, the product pages of Fler (♥️) rewrite themselves in real time for each user, converting at 8% on average. Beyond the frontend, the system dynamically enriches schema markup with FAQs and use cases derived from shopper conversations, improving visibility on AI search engines (ChatGPT, Perplexity). Book a demo here: https://www.twini.ai/

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Most Virtual Try-On demos look good. Very few survive real retail conditions. I’ll be at MICAM Milano in Milan next week, meeting fashion retailers to talk about Virtual Try-On and AI Studio. Here’s what we at AIUTA see again and again: Demos impress. Pilots break. Not because of visuals. Because of scale. What “scale” actually means in retail: • 100k+ SKUs • Peak traffic • Brand consistency • Real production workflows With @ASOS, we focused on exactly this. In an early pilot, we processed 180,000 products in nine days, achieving a 90% QA acceptance rate using existing assets. That’s the difference between a feature and infrastructure. If you’re attending MICAM and evaluating VTO or AI Studio solutions, I’d be happy to compare notes on what works in production. Comment “MICAM” or DM me and I’ll send you our VTO enterprise readiness checklist. #MICAM #Footwear #FootwearIndustry #FootwearBrands #Shoes #Sneakers #LuxuryFootwear #FashionTech #RetailTech #VirtualTryOn #Ecommerce #DigitalCommerce #AIinRetail #ProductContent #PDP #RetailInnovation

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The first episode of our new podcast series, The Start-Up Saga, Iulia Oprea and I have created is live. Throughout the series we talk to real founders, with real stories about their startup journey. In our first episode, with Stefano Bernardi, CEO and Founder of Redokun we explore what it takes to get started. Stefano talks openly about the challenging times in the early days, even years, before things really took off. His insights and lessons are invaluable! As you will hear in this short clip, he learned the importance of: - Being obsessed with understanding your customer; - Empathy; and - Knowing everything about your customer, even what coffee they drink 😉 ! You can watch the full video on our Youtube channel, or with audio on Spotify or Apple Podcast. You'll find the links in the comments. This podcast series was created by Iulia and I because of our passion for working with founders and our wish to help them become more successful. Our work through Alexander Daniels Global and Dragon Coaching House, who are sponsors of the podcast series, has bought us close to so many Founders and inspired us to create something we hope helps all aspiring Founders and Entrepreneurs. The Startup Saga has a ✨ free Resource Library ✨ connected to every episode of the founder journey, from spark to scale. These documents, frameworks, checklists etc. are created by our guest speakers. We'll share the link where you can subscribe. We would love your feedback and if you have an interesting story to tell and might like to join us on our podcast, please feel free to reach out. #startup #scaleup #entrepreneur #ceo #founder #tech #podcast

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🎧 New episode in Digital Commerce Capsule Mood #EcosistemaIA | Chapter 2: The Habit of Augmented AI that Defines Competitiveness In the first chapter, we explored the equation of digital maturity in marketplaces, superapps, and retail media. Today, we go one step further: how Augmented AI stops being a promise and becomes an organizational habit that powers the flywheel and sustains competitiveness. 💡 In this episode you’ll discover: 1️⃣ The flywheel map with its dual engine: GenAI + Predictive AI as a double habit. 2️⃣ The 3×3 matrix to prioritize use cases by impact and time-to-value. 3️⃣ The 10/30/60 framework and RACI that turn AI into daily muscle. 4️⃣ The minimum viable AI Fabric: from live data to live decisions. 5️⃣ The EcosistemaIA maturity equation and radar to diagnose and close gaps. 6️⃣ A LATAM vignette proving how a retailer can transform in just 12 weeks. 📣 As I wrote in this column: “The habit of augmented AI is not built in a day: it is built every day.” 📖 Read the full column on Medium (English version) 🎙️ Listen to the full podcast on Digital Commerce Capsule in Spanish 👉 https://lnkd.in/d_Hvu4GH 🔁 If Chapter 1 showed how the three engines of the digital ecosystem connect, Chapter 2 explains what daily practice makes them sustainable: the habit of augmented AI. #EcosistemaIA #FlywheelRetail #DigitalCommerce #CollaborativeCommerce #RetailMedia #Omnichannel #HumanAugmentedAI #DigitalGovernance

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#DigitalEuro: The evolution in everyday payments is becoming reality-with #Nexi at the forefront. 🚀 Following the vision of the #EuropeanCentralBank 🏛️, Nexi, in collaboration with #GieseckeDevrient and #Capgemini, is helping bring the Digital Euro to life, a new form of money that combines the #trust of #cash with the ease of #digitalpayments. The Digital Euro will make transactions instant, secure, and effortless even offline. So, whether you’re in the heart of Athens or a remote mountain village, payments will happen as seamlessly as handing over a coin. Because the future of money isn’t just digital; It’s accessible, reliable, simple, and made for everyone. 💶⚡ Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dvZFJ6zS #WeSimplifyPaymentsForPeople #NexiGreece #Payments #digital #future

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🌏 We are pleased to share that Armonia, part of Neticon Group, has recently joined the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (ICCS). 🇸🇬 Through Armonia, we manage our Singapore presence and business development across Asia, supporting companies in scaling with retail tech innovation, digital campaigns, and UX/UI redesign. 👉 Joining ICCS marks an important step in strengthening our connections with the Italian business community in Singapore and building new partnerships in the region.

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1️⃣ Benetton’s Financial Recovery in 2024**   Italian fashion retailer **Benetton** has significantly **reduced its financial losses** in 2024. Under the leadership of **CEO Claudio Sforza**, who took over in **June 2024**, the company has implemented **an extensive restructuring plan** to regain stability. 2️⃣ Financial Performance in 2024**    Net Loss Reduction**    - Benetton **reported a net loss of €100 million**, marking a **57.5% improvement** from **€235 million in 2023**.    - This reduction highlights the **success of restructuring efforts** and cost-cutting measures.   Revenue Figures**    - **Revenue declined to €917 million in 2024**, compared to **€1 billion in 2023**.    - Despite the drop, the company remains focused on **profitability and sustainable growth**.   Debt Reduction**    - **Financial debt decreased from €460 million (2023) to €411 million (2024)**.    - This reflects **improved financial management** and **effective cost-saving strategies**.  3️⃣ Restructuring Initiatives Under CEO Claudio Sforza**   Benetton’s restructuring plan is centered around **five key pillars**:   Brand Relaunch & Digital Enhancement**    - Investment in **revamping brand identity** and strengthening **digital presence**.    - Focus on **e-commerce growth** to align with changing **consumer behaviors**.   Cost Reduction & Product Competitiveness**    - Strategic measures to **lower production costs** while maintaining **high-quality products**.    - The goal is to offer **competitive pricing** in the **fast-fashion market**.   Distribution & Sales Network Optimization**    - **Closing underperforming stores** while expanding **profitable sales avenues**.   Organizational Efficiency**    - **Centralizing company functions** at **Castrette di Villorba** to increase **synergy & cost efficiency**.   Overhead Cost Reduction**    - Measures implemented to **cut excessive expenses** and improve overall **financial health**.  4️⃣ Operational Adjustments for Sustainability**    Store Closures**    - **Benetton plans to close 500 stores**, including **200 in Italy**, as part of streamlining operations.    - The focus is on **concentrating resources on profitable locations**.   Manufacturing Strategy Shift**    - Increasing **reliance on external suppliers** to **reduce in-house production to 40%**.    - This approach allows for **faster response to market trends** and **shorter development cycles for new collections**.   E-Commerce Expansion**    - **Benetton aims to grow its e-commerce revenue share from 13% to 20–25%** in the coming years.  5️⃣ Future Outlook & Growth Strategy**    - **Benetton targets breaking even by 2026**, driven by continued restructuring efforts.    - Strategic initiatives position the company to **compete with fast-fashion giants** and adapt to industry shifts.    - The focus remains on **enhancing profitability** and building a **sustainable business model**.  

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Is the 🇪🇺📲 EUDI Wallet the key to solving some of the biggest challenges in #payments? After two packed days at Mastercard's #RiskX event in Rome, I'm more convinced than ever. Payment companies are identity companies, which are in the business of value transfer. The future of payments is totally linked to the future of identity. A few key takeaways from the expert sessions really drove this home for me: ➡️ UX is everything: People want seamless, "in-band" authentication. It's no surprise SCA conversion rates on mobile can be double those on desktop. Every bit of friction costs money. ➡️ Better data, better security: The consensus is clear: the more high-quality, verified data you have, the better your risk assessment. Fraud loves to hide in inconsistencies. ➡️ Binding is the foundation: That initial, secure link between a user's identity and their payment credential is the critical first step for every secure transaction that follows. And that's where the EUDI Wallet is a total game-changer. It’s the ultimate "in-band" mobile experience. It can securely provide the rich, verified attributes we need for next-gen risk assessments, something far beyond what's possible today. When we link a citizen's verified legal identity to their payment flows, we can cut down on fraud AND create the smooth experiences customers expect. Exciting times ahead as we keep working with partners like Mastercard to build this new trust infrastructure for #Europe. The journey of combining identity and payments is just getting started! It was great to co-host a workshop with Julia Klein and show a live demo of how digital identity and payments can actually work together. Huge thanks to the whole Mastercard team for putting on such a timely and insightful conference.

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400M European shoppers juggle 10+ loyalty apps, and still don’t save enough. 📱 The issue? A fragmented market that frustrates consumers and weakens merchant retention. CashClub.ro fixes this with one platform for cashback, coupons, and price comparison, already trusted by 1,000+ merchants and 4M+ consumers across Europe’s €900B e-commerce market. The result: simpler savings for shoppers, stronger loyalty for merchants, and a solution built to scale across borders. Full story 👉 https://lnkd.in/dKiHF7ng #EuropeanStartups #RetailTech #LoyaltyPrograms #Ecommerce

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Proud to share that Massima Energia has closed a €10M+ investment round, combining equity and debt financing. This milestone gives us strong momentum to continue building the first truly customer-centric, AI-driven platform on the Italian market, bringing together energy (power & gas), connectivity, and value-added services into one simple, transparent digital ecosystem. Our ambition is clear: to redesign how people and businesses experience essential services — making the complex simple, and technology a true enabler. If you’re curious to follow our journey, follow Massima Energia here on LinkedIn for updates. And feel free to reach out to me directly if you’d like to learn more about what we’re building. This is where the fun begins. #AI #Energy #DigitalTransformation #ItalianTech

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Shop Circle has extended its Series B to $100M, led by Nextalia with support from CDP Venture Capital SGR, Primo Capital, 645 Ventures (645 Select Fund) and others. Co-founders Luca Cartechini and Gian Maria Gramondi are building an AI-native software group through disciplined M&A and product innovation. Recent acquisitions include KrakenD, a high-performance API gateway trusted by global enterprises. “This round gives us the firepower to double down on what we do best: acquiring exceptional software products and making them smarter, faster, and more connected through AI” said Luca Cartechini. Full article in the comments.

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