The five most important retail tech news stories of the week
It’s Christmas Eve, the big day is nearly here, so let’s kick back and reflect on another eventful week for the retail technology space. Here's your briefing on the most important and interesting stories from the past few days.
1. UK retailers hit hard by coronavirus powered Slump Saturday
Super Saturday, the last Saturday before Christmas, saw UK footfall drop by 40% year-on-year, according to research by Sensormatic.
Data from ShopperTrak, which captures 40 billion shopper visits each year, showed that high streets were particularly badly affected, with footfall plummeting -44% on Super Saturday compared to 2019.
2. John Lewis releases 2020 Shop Live Look report
Online now accounts for 60-70% of John Lewis sales whereas before the coronavirus pandemic it was 40%.
Customers are also now shopping during the working day (11am-4pm) rather than their evenings (7pm-10pm). Those are key findings from the retailer’s Shop Live Look report.
3. Marks and Spencer Pay With Me tackles Christmas queues
M&S has launched a new, on-the-spot payment solution to help relieve queues at the checkouts this Christmas.
Available at 200 of the retailer’s stores, this allows staff members to pick out customers waiting in line to pay for just a few items, and process their transaction via a handheld Honeywell device.
4. Smart checkout tech venture Trigo raises $60 million
Frictionless shopping outfit, Trigo, has announced a $60 million Series B funding round led by 83North.
This brings the Israel-based company’s total funding to $94 million.
5. Shoppers benefit as coronavirus outbreak sorts retail leaders from laggards
Covid-19 shook up the status quo and exposed the fact that many retailers are run by executives who are incapable of embracing change or being innovative.
That’s according to Brittain Ladd, a supply chain consultant and former Amazon exec.
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