Tracking the retail sector’s response to the coronavirus
Retail Technology Innovation Hub rounds up the key COVID-19 developments from last week.
Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com reports an “explosive” increase in the number of large items delivered by its JD Logistics unit in Wuhan, Hubei province, since the coronavirus lockdown lifted. There was a rise of over 900% in the first week of April, compared with the same period in March.
Next is set to reopen its website in the coming days, following two weeks of being offline due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Ocado has taken to Twitter to wish its customers a happy Easter and thanks its delivery drivers and other staff for their hard work during these challenging times.
This past week marked buy now, pay later Klarna’s 15th birthday and it brought some mixed emotions for CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski.
Tesco felt the wrath of the Twitterverse thanks to an Easter virtual cook-along tweet.
The Co-op reports that it launched Co-operate: get or offer support during coronavirus nine days after the UK government announced a lockdown.
The John Lewis Partnership is installing a wellbeing area for medical staff and volunteers at the Nightingale NHS Hospital, London. It has also partnered with the British Medical Association (BMA) to distribute care packages for frontline NHS workers at the busiest hospitals across the UK.
The GMB union has stepped up its word of wars with Asos, labelling bosses ‘fatcats’ and accusing them of “revelling in extravagant profits while workers risk their safety to keep the empire afloat”.
UK challenger bank Starling has introduced the Connected card, a second card that customers can connect to their personal account and give to people to pay for groceries and other essential items on their behalf. This is protected by a PIN, has a balance limit of £200 and only permits users to spend in-store, not online.
Last week, Boots sent out the following promoted tweet: “Help us celebrate our colleagues and key workers everywhere by sharing your messages of support with #PrescribeKindness.”
Enter a bunch of people who weren’t interested in playing ball. Instead, they opted to blast the retailer for its treatment of staff during the coronavirus outbreak and also its tax affairs.
Waitrose has launched an e-gift card for self-isolating customers who want to organise payment for groceries delivered by volunteers, friends or other family members.
Costcutter has gone big on pop-ups.
Parcel delivery firm DPD has announced a partnership with 3DCrowd, a community of 3D printer owners.
Thousands of volunteers across the UK are giving up their time to use their 3D printers to make components to create face shields - a full face visor on a plastic headband - which protects the whole of the front of the face of frontline healthcare workers.
Tesco is working on a £45 contactless payments limit rise.
Nike has lent Boots nine of its cobots (collaborative robots) to help the retailer’s warehouse staff keep picking and packing for customers.
Wagamama is launching online tutorials to help customers get their katsu curry and yaki soba fix during the coronavirus outbreak.
