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 wilko, OnBuy, former Tesco Chief Executive David Lewis and the 2021 RTIH Innovation Awards.
Home furnishings retailer Terrys has unveiled a new online immersive experience, which tailors shopping specifically by colour palette.
The family run business has a store in Staffordshire and an e-commerce site which serves customers across the UK.
Its Shop by Colour offering is the result of Terrys experiencing a surge in on-site searches for colour related terms.
The CBI, along with 41 UK trade associations including the British Retail Consortium, has issued a joint statement claiming that action by the Chancellor at the next budget to reform the business rates system could unleash a wave of investment across key government priorities, including net zero and levelling up.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has appointed David Lewis, former Tesco Chief Executive, as a supply chain adviser as his government bids to avert a delivery crisis in the run up to Christmas.
He will assist the PM and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on both immediate improvements and any necessary long-term changes to UK supply chains for goods, and will work with government officials to resolve acute, short term issues.
Lewis will be in the role until the end of the year. He will also co-chair a new supply chain advisory group which will be based in the Cabinet Office.
Home and garden retailer wilko has extended an in-store scheme to help customers recycle their Covid-19 face masks until the end of the year.
This follows a three month pilot in April and sees the service remain in place at the retailer’s original 150 participating stores.
wilko estimates that 400,000 masks could be recycled via the scheme.
Despite a decline in the amount spent on credit card purchases last year as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic, overall spending continued to grow, according to research by RBR.
Although this growth was very slow compared to recent years, consumers continued to shift their purchases from cash to debit cards.
UK-based online marketplace, OnBuy, has added delivery services big hitter Hermes to its platform.
September saw the slowest retail sales growth since January, when the UK was in lockdown due to the Covid-19 outbreak, according to research from the BRC and KPMG.
Global last mile delivery market revenues are set to hit $117.9 billion by 2030, demonstrating a CAGR of 20.3% from 2020 to 2030, according to P&S Intelligence.
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.
