Tracking the retail technology sector during the coronavirus

Retail Technology Innovation Hub rounds up the key Covid-19 developments from last week.

The coronavirus outbreak is beginning to push up UK retail site vacancy rates, albeit at a modest rate, according to research from the BRC and The Local Data Company.

In the second quarter of 2020, the overall GB vacancy rate increased to 12.4%, from 12.2% in Q1.

New research from parcel locker firm, InPost, reveals how UK consumer attitudes have changed towards their communities and their local environments during the coronavirus outbreak.

The company surveyed 2,000 Brits and found that 41% now think about the impact that environmental issues have on their local area and not just globally. The same number care more about where they live and have embraced community spirit.

A.S. Watson is opening up its Moneyback loyalty programme to retailers across Hong Kong as it looks to stimulate consumer spending during the coronavirus outbreak.

The move will enable retailers to promote their business on the platform for free by uploading offers. The aim is to encourage cross-retailer shopping in all 18 Hong Kong districts.

Quadient’s automated packaging system, CVP Everest, has been selected by The White Company, and will be installed in August at its fulfilment centre in Northampton, UK.

Waitrose and John Lewis have announced plans to increase the use of electric vans as they look to end the use of fossil fuels across their entire transport fleet by 2030.

The John Lewis Partnership will use two new designs of vehicle for its Waitrose.com food deliveries and for smaller John Lewis deliveries, saving over 20,000 tonnes of CO2 every year.

Domino’s has launched a Homemade Film Festival contest.

US online grocer Farmstead is moving to a larger San Francisco facility to increase its delivery capacity by 10x.

It says that this is the result of the coronavirus pandemic driving a huge increase in demand for grocery delivery.

Asda says that it is the first UK supermarket to trial a permanent trolley wash facility.

Sainsbury’s is testing out a virtual queuing system in five of its stores: Uxbridge, Pimlico, Dome Roundabout in Watford, Leicester North and Newham Royal Wharf.

As mask wearing becomes mandatory in UK stores, retail analytics startup Uncrowd has issued a tongue-in-cheek chart that enables staff members to identify the mood of shoppers. This maps 32 eye moods to enable staff to diagnose and pre-empt potential problems.