Tracking the retail technology sector during the coronavirus
Retail Technology Innovation Hub rounds up the key Covid-19 developments from last week.
Checkpoint Systems has unveiled SmartTemperature, which helps retailers accurately measure the temperature of customers entering their stores.
Waitrose last week held its first virtual Waitrose Digital Roadshow, hosted by Andrew Clarke, UX Lead, and Evangeline Mackie, Digital Product Owner.
Sainsbury’s is rolling out its Chop Chop to 20 cities across the UK, bringing fast grocery deliveries by bike to customers outside of London for the first time.
Following the UK’s first full month under lockdown, online sales hit a 10 year high in April, up 23.8% year-on-year.
The ability to keep up with disruptors is the greatest long-term challenge faced by retail businesses post-Covid-19, according to new research from RetailEXPO.
2,227 retail professionals were surveyed. Other challenges included meeting changing customer expectations (13%)). Also featured in the list were keeping up with tech innovations (8%) and using data from customer insight to drive performance (7%).
Grocery delivery startup Grocemania is expanding into new regions across the UK as it responds to “huge demand during the coronavirus lockdown”.
Decathlon is rolling out MishiPay’s mobile self-checkout solution across its 81 German stores.
The technology is now live in stores in Berlin (Berlin Hauptbahnhof), Munich (Munich Connect), Cologne (Marsdorf), Schwetzingen and Plochingen, with more locations being added every week.
Dunelm has introduced changes to its Click and Collect service. The majority of its stores remain closed, but it is now possible to collect online orders from them, whilst a delivery to car service is also available.
With coronavirus lockdown measures in full swing, April saw a record fall in UK retail sales, according to research from the BRC and KPMG. On a total basis, sales decreased by 19.1% in April, against an increase of 2.4% in April 2019.
A new solution is being rolled out by microgifting platform, Huggg, along with the British Red Cross, to support coronavirus shielded Brits who don’t have friends or family nearby to help get them the supplies they need.
UK retailers without an e-commerce presence need to overhaul their business models as Brits plan to spend more online in a post-Covid-19 world, according to GlobalData.
The company surveyed 2,000 people and found that 26% will do this after the coronavirus restrictions are lifted. Retailers with a limited (or no) online proposition must therefore consider investment in order to remain competitive.
McDonald’s UK and Ireland has updated its coronavirus outbreak reopening plan, with contactless payments playing a major role.
VoucherCodes.co.uk has launched a platform to provide NHS staff with exclusive discounts from various brands and retailers, including Miss Selfridge, Boden and Bensons for Beds.
Vegan food brands, including Squeaky Bean, Vivera, Mummy Meagz and Minor Figures, have partnered to create a plant-based food box, available for delivery during the coronavirus outbreak.
StarStock is powering a new initiative from Asda to help vulnerable and shielded customers receive food and essential items.
Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, Iceland was delivering 100,000 online orders per week. Its network is now in place to deliver over 500,000 and it continues to add more.
