The retail technology week in numbers

7…We recently announced the retailers and tech ventures who emerged triumphant at our first ever RTIH Innovation Awards. And we’ve now published winner profiles for each of the seven categories. Check them out here.

650…Co-op has announced that, over the next 12 months, its same-day delivery services will be available across almost 100 towns and cities, served by 650 stores.

3…Boots and Public Health England have announced a three-year partnership which kicks off with the launch of the Reboot Quiz.

£100 million…NCR Corporation has bought UK-based Zynstra, a provider of edge virtualisation technology, for £100 million.

82% of US online shoppers believe that retailers should do all they can to reduce purchase returns, due to their negative impact on the environment, according to research by Threekit.

3 million…Around three million customers shopped with Sainsbury’s and Argos on smartphones, tablets and in-store handsets on Saturday 21st, Sunday 22nd and Monday 23rd December.

52% of consumers have abandoned an online purchase out of fear of a difficult return process, whilst 10% were dissatisfied with their last experience, according to research by Splitit.

11.8%…UK Boxing Day footfall decreased by 11.8% compared to 2018, according to ShopperTrak.

10%…CBD-based gifts are amongst the biggest product trends for 2020, according to Firebox.com.

The use of CBD (cannabidiol) has been a big thing in 2019, as people seek a natural remedy to help relieve anxiety and stress. Firebox.com reports that the category makes up 10% of its food and drink product sales. In 2019, the retailer launched a CBD Christmas pudding and will continue to grow its CBD product category to 20% in 2020.

27…US retailer Tractor Supply Company has promoted Letitia Webster to Senior Vice President of E-commerce.

She joined the company in 2014 as the Divisional Merchandise Manager for Omnichannel and has served as the Vice President of Omnichannel since March 2015. Prior to that, Webster spent 27 years at Sears, most recently as Senior Director and General Manager of Online.

75%…Waitrose & Partners increased orders of its best-selling loose vegetables by 75% this Christmas compared to last as sales of packaged equivalents decreased.