The retail technology week in numbers

14…A no-deal Brexit could end UK 14-day returns and will slash EU shoppers’ rights, according to delivery venture ParcelHero.

$10 billion…Global revenues for blockchain technology are set to hit $10 billion by 2023, with the retail sector playing a key role, according to ABI Research.

500,000…UK FinTech venture Flux has announced the delivery of its 500,000th digital receipt.

1.3 billion…The People’s Bank of China is set to give its first round of central bank digital currency (CBDC) to Alibaba Group and seven others.

According to a report by Forbes, the technology is ready to ship, and the ‘DC/EP’ (Digital Currency/Electronic Payments), as it has been dubbed, could roll-out as early as 11th November, China’s busiest shopping day, aka Singles Day.

The recipient institutions will then be responsible for dispersing the cryptocurrency to 1.3 billion Chinese citizens and others doing business in the renminbi, China’s fiat currency, according to the source. The central bank hopes the currency will eventually be made available to consumers in the US and elsewhere through relationships with correspondent banks in the west.

74%…Brits’ overloaded wallets are leaving them vulnerable to fraud, according to research from Equifax.

An online survey of over 2,000 people found that 74% carry at least two debit or credit cards in their purse or wallet, and 38% lay claim to three or more cards. Three in five are in possession of a debit or credit card and their driving licence.

3.5%…Bitcoin rewards app Lolli has teamed up with US pet retailer Petco.

There are two types of rewards that come with the partnership. One is that Lolli users can earn up to 3.5% satoshis (sats) of their purchases at Petco.com. They can also earn a flat 5,000 sats payment for sharing a photo of their dog and commenting on the tie up.

50 towns in England will be given a share of £1 billion to revitalise their High Streets.

They will join 50 other areas already shortlisted for the Future High Streets Fund. The cash could be used for schemes such as improving transport links or converting empty shops into homes or offices.

£500,000…UK-based online marketplace OnBuy.com is on the look out for new investors. The venture, which previously raised £2.7million to launch its platform, is after a top-up of £500,000 to develop its offering, become profitable and fuel its growth. And it plans to raise again in 2020 for £15 million.

35%…A significant number of UK retailers are not actively preparing for the future, with 35% admitting to having no business transformation strategy in place for the rise of digital technology and changing consumer habits, according to research by PushON.