The retail technology space during the Covid pandemic
Retail Technology Innovation Hub rounds up the key retail systems related Covid-19 developments from last week, including Currys, Mercaux, BigCommerce and the 2021 RTIH innovation Awards.
While UK footfall at the start of September was strong, it slowed over the course of the month as increasing rainfall and ongoing fuel and supply issues convinced some consumers to stay home, according to research by the BRC and Sensormatic Solutions.
A new report from Mercaux explores the changing role of the store and flags up the importance of capturing customer behaviours, now perceived as just as vital as selling products in bricks and mortar retail.
Payments are entering a new experience driven era, ushered in by an accelerated transformation timeline due to Covid-19 and the growing digital appetite of customers, according to research by Capgemini.
There’s a new breed of post-pandemic shopper in town, demanding help from experts and rejecting faceless robot retailers, according to research from Currys (previously known as Currys PC World).
E-commerce platform venture, BigCommerce, has announced a new native integration with Chargify, a specialist in billing and subscription management platform for B2B SaaS companies.
In collaboration with developer Ebizio, the move provides BigCommerce B2B and/or B2C merchants with a solution to manage, track and analyse subscription activity.
Piglet in bed, a digital first, eco-friendly bedwear and linen retailer, has partnered with Wunderkind, a consumer engagement platform that scales one-to-one messages for retailers and brands, to power its personalisation capabilities.
Go Instore has announced a partnership with Pets at Home.
The retailer will tap its HD-video technology that enables customers and their pets to connect with store colleagues via video calls.
Digital supply chain and freight platform venture, Beacon, has raised over $50 million in a Series B round, led by Northstar.vc.
Upper90 also participated as a new investor, alongside existing backers including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
The cash will be used to grow Beacon’s team, continue the development of its technology and expand into new markets.
UK watch and jewellery retailer, Goldsmiths, has chosen Whitefriars, Canterbury as the location for its first store featuring a new design.
This includes an increased focus on luxury watch brands through “a relaxed, inclusive, and experiential in-store environment”. The customer experience is centred around luxury hospitality and digital browsing tools
The concept was conceived in partnership with Quadrant Design.
RTIH has announced Critizr as sponsor of the Best Coronavirus Innovation category at the 2021 RTIH Innovation Awards.
The pandemic has had a major impact on the way that we shop and the way that retailers operate.
This award will go to the company who has best turned to technology to solve the challenges presented by the Covid-19 era, improving in-store and/or online experiences for both staff and customers.
Last year, Ocucon emerged triumphant, impressing our judging panel with Occupi by Ocucon, an intelligent occupancy management system that allows retailers to remotely monitor and manage the flow of shoppers in and out of their stores – coordinated via signage, CCTV and door entry and closing systems.
To be in with a chance of joining them in our hall of fame, click here.
