The retail technology week in numbers

$22 billion…The recently announced $22 billion Global Payments merger with TSYS is good news for consumers, according to GlobalData.

1…Microsoft’s first European store, set to open in the UK on 11th July, will include immersive video walls, a community theatre, workshops, training areas and an ‘Answer Desk for tech support.

RMB 50 billion…Cainiao Smart Logistics Network is looking to speed up the digitisation of China’s shipping industry and work with industry partners to create RMB 50 billion ($7.25 billion) in value for the industry over the next three years, Alibaba Group said this week.

52% of consumers in the UK and US want the fashion industry to become more sustainable, with calls for reduced packaging and fair pay for workers among their top demands, according to research by Nosto. But only 29% of them would pay more for it.

67% of UK retailers do not have full in-house capability to manage security in the cloud, according to research carried out by Vanson Bourne on behalf of Claranet.

£15 million…Barnardo’s says that it generated £15 million profit in 2018 across its 700 UK stores after implementing the Cybertill CharityStore platform.

$30 million AUD…PayTech venture Splitit has raised $30 million AUD in new equity, with plans to raise up to $10 million AUD through a share purchase plan.

7,700…WHSmith has been voted as the worst High Street store in a Which? survey of more than 7,700 shoppers.

£400k…MarketOrders, which taps blockchain tech to make the jewellery buying process more transparent, has kickstarted its crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube.com. Aiming to raise a minimum of £400k, the startup plans to use the funding to officially launch its platform.

$18 billion…MacKenzie Bezos, the former wife of Amazon boss Jeff Bezos, is to give half of her $36 billion fortune to charity.

£9 billion…Real-Time Local Inventory could drive up to £9 billion of sales back to the UK High Street, according to NearSt research.

100…Nike and Nespresso have topped a survey of 100 brands who are selling direct-to-consumer online.

6…John Lewis & Partners is launching its Click & Collect service in six Co-op food stores as it looks to boost its standing in areas where it has a lower shop presence.

21….Bitcoin ATM operator Coinme has expanded its BTC purchasing option to 21 US states and the District of Columbia..