The retail technology week in numbers

Do you like numbers? Do you like retail technology? Then this is the article for you.

3…Asda is testing out autonomous floor cleaning robots at three of its stores.

These are based on machines built by Tennant Company, which are fitted with artificial intelligence systems from Brain Corp.

£5 billion…Without further government action, retailers in London’s West End are facing £5 billion sales losses and 50,000 job cuts.

That’s according to New West End Company, which represents 600 businesses across Oxford Street, Bond Street, Regent Street and Mayfair. Its research shows that in the first full month of non-essential retail reopening, the West End welcomed 5.1 million visitors since 15th June, down 73% year-on-year.

£1 billion…Asos sales rose sharply during the early months of the coronavirus outbreak.

The fast fashion retailer said revenues grew by 10% to £1 billion in the four months ending June, with a significant acceleration following a sales decline of up to 25% when lockdown measures came into play during March.

1,000…US shoppers want more voice-activated demos, augmented reality try-ons and mobile-activated self-checkout options in post-pandemic retail environments, according to research by Outform.

The company surveyed 1,000 Americans and found many of them want new tech that addresses their concerns around safer shopping experiences.

56% of British companies selling online have been the victims of negative reviews and star ratings in the last year, according to research by Brightpearl.

3.4%…June saw a return to growth in UK retail sales, primarily driven by online as a result of coronavirus lockdown measures being eased and pent up demand being released, according to research by the BRC and KPMG.

Despite footfall still being well below pre-outbreak levels, average spend was up as consumers made the most of their occasional shopping trips. On a total basis, sales increased by 3.4% in June, against a decrease of 1.6% in June 2019. This was the highest since May 2018.

$10 million…Beekeeper, a communication and operations platform designed for frontline workers, has announced a $10 million extension on its Series B round.

62.6%…With coronavirus lockdown measures easing, Brits are slowly re-emerging onto their high streets, shopping centres and retail parks.

Research by the BRC and ShopperTrak shows that footfall levels are still well below pre-coronavirus levels. However, a decline in June was softer than in May thanks to the reopening of non-essential retail stores on 15th June.

UK footfall decreased by 62.6% in June year-on-year, with a 19 percentage point improvement from May. In the first two weeks the footfall decline averaged 77.1%, improving to 53.3% in the remaining three weeks once all stores were allowed to open in England and Northern Ireland.

£13.5 billion…The UK courier and express delivery market is set to reach £13.5 billion this year, according to Mintel.