Tracking the retail technology sector during the coronavirus

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

The Co-op has announced plans to launch over 50 new convenience stores, creating up to 1,000 jobs.

Tesco will shortly go live with its first urban fulfilment centre (UFC) as it looks to capitalise on the coronavirus powered online shopping boom.

UK footfall remained well below normal levels in August, although retailers were boosted by the last days of the Eat Out to Help Out campaign, and back to school shopping, according to research from the British Retail Consortium and ShopperTrak.

39% of consumers globally purchased from new brands during the coronavirus lockdown and 88% will continue to buy from those ventures in the future, according to research conducted by Bazaarvoice.

15% of UK retailers have created roles specifically to cater to an increase in digital sales and boost online capacity, according to research from Barclays Corporate Banking.

Over 300 senior retail executives were surveyed for this. Confidence is high, with home improvement/DIY firms most upbeat about growth, followed by health and beauty retailers.

And many retailers are looking to localise supply chains and increase support for communities. 39% experienced supply chain disruption during lockdown, and 27% are looking to move to suppliers based closer by as a result, with the number rising to 38% for larger, 500+ employee businesses

Online electricals retailer, AO, has inked a five-year deal to become the headline sponsor of Manchester Arena.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has launched the Shopworkers’ Protection Pledge.

Signatories pledge to stand with retail workers and support the legislation necessary to protect them. 11 cross-party MPs have thus far put their name to it.

Phase Eight has partnered with OneStock to enable registered customers to pre-book a 60 minute personal styling slot at a selected store via its website.