The five most important retail tech news stories of the week
It’s Friday, the week is nearly done, so let’s kick back and reflect on another eventful week for the retail technology space. Here's your briefing on some of the most important and interesting stories from the past five days.
1. Shopify boss says office centricity is over amid coronavirus crisis
Shopify, the e-commerce platform provider that has emerged as the anti-Amazon, is now a digital by default company.
As a result of the coronavirus outbreak, it will keep its offices closed until 2021, CEO Tobi Lutke, said on Twitter, “so that we can rework them for this new reality”. After that, most employees will permanently work remotely. “Office centricity is over,” Lutke commented.
2. Target makes Instagram Checkout move
Target is making its products available through Instagram Checkout. It says that it is the first mass retailer to do this.
3. All non essential retailers can reopen from 15th June
Non essential retailers have been given the green light to start reopening next month as Prime Minister Boris Johnson tries to ease the coronavirus lockdown.
Outdoor markets and showrooms will be able to start trading again in England from 1st June, so long as they adhere to coronavirus safety guidelines. All other non essential retailers can follow suit from 15th June.
4. Five retail tech innovations for a post coronavirus world
As coronavirus lockdowns ease in many countries, retailers know it will not be business as usual. This week, RTIH rounded up some technologies that could help them during their reopening phases and beyond.
5. Tesco Ireland tackles coronavirus with new in-store tech
Tesco Ireland has announced a nationwide roll-out of a customer number and queue management solution during the coronavirus outbreak.
Following a trial at its Greystones store, the grocery giant will now introduce a monitor-based 3D imaging system which will count customer numbers entering and exiting stores, to ensure an accurate steady flow of people throughout the day.
