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. Consumer confidence high as retailers reopen stores
As non-essential retailers reopen their stores this week, 80% of British consumers are ready to embrace physical shopping again, with just 20% nervous about doing so, according to research from TruRating.
2. Chinese online big hitters increase market share as coronavirus bites
2020 will prove to be a disruptive year for retail sales in China, but the big hitters will only get bigger when it comes to the major e-commerce platforms, according to eMarketer.
Alibaba has long been the dominant player by virtue of its Taobao and Tmall options, and it will continue to hold the top position for the foreseeable future. JD.com will maintain its second place position, and Pinduoduo (PDD) will continue to impress.
3. Walmart expands marketplace business with Shopify tie up
Walmart has partnered with Shopify, the e-commerce platform provider that has emerged as the anti-Amazon.
The US retail giant is out to capture a bigger share of the coronavirus-driven surge in online shopping. It expects to add 1,200 Shopify sellers to its marketplace this year.
4. Sustainable retail in a post coronavirus world
Sustainability was the retail sector’s buzzword of 2019 and this hot streak has continued into 2020.
Movements such as Extinction Rebellion, School Strikes for Climate, veganism, the plastic backlash and biodiversity conservation have been hugely influential here. And many believe that the coronavirus outbreak will take things to the next level.
5. DPD on recruitment and tech drive as online booms during pandemic
Parcel delivery firm DPD has announced 6,000 new UK jobs and an infrastructure investment in response to what it calls “the unprecedented boom in online shopping caused by Covid-19”.