The retail technology space during the coronavirus pandemic
Retail Technology Innovation Hub rounds up the key Covid-19 developments from last week.
Transport for London has released travel information for customers as government coronavirus restrictions continue to be eased from Monday, 12th April.
Over a third of Brits have tried a local small restaurant or shop for the first time by ordering online during coronavirus lockdowns, according to research from Internet Association.
UK footfall crept up on high streets and shopping centres during March as warmer weather coincided with the end of the government’s ‘stay at home’ coronavirus requirements.
According to research from the BRC and Sensormatic, with the UK still in lockdown, total footfall decreased by 68.7% in March (Yo2Y), with only a 4.9 percentage point improvement from February. This is above the three month average decline of 72.3%.
Westfield is launching a Masks for Good campaign as it prepares to reopen its Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City shopping centres on Monday, 12th April
Asos reports that adjusted profit before tax hit £112.9 million in the six months ended 28th February, a £82.8 million increase on the previous half year.
As coronavirus lockdowns continued to see the closure of non-essential retailers and in turn boost the online shopping space, revenue was up 25% to £1.98 billion.
The fast fashion pureplay also added an extra 1.5 million new active customers, taking its total base to 24.9 million.
High street retailers are hiring in earnest as non-essential stores prepare to reopen in England and Wales, according to research by job site Indeed.
Retail vacancies have climbed to within 14% of their pre-pandemic levels, and are outperforming the labour market as a whole, re-energised by the announcement in February of routes out of lockdown for all parts of the UK.
Morrisons has pulled a 10% discount for teachers and school staff that had been on offer as a thank you for their work during the coronavirus outbreak.
Ahead of its 480 stores in England re-opening on Monday, 12th April, EE is predicting a 50% increase in demand for in-person tech support after months of coronavirus lockdown.
EE’s online service is now open for customers to start booking local store appointments. This is coupled with the company’s virtual queuing system.
A number of its stores will also open for longer to cope with pent up demand.
The retail industry is tapping new robotic technology faster than expected due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with widespread adoption now expected in just a few years, according to research conducted by Brain Corp.
Chop’d has announced “a huge tech investment” as it gears up to reopen stores on 12th April.
The healthy eating venture currently operates from 12 high street locations across London, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester.
Its tech investment, the amount of which was not revealed, includes the launch of a new app, created in partnership with Qikserve, available for iOS, Android and web, and allowing customers to use a Click and Collect service.
Tesco is sinking its teeth into the buoyant meal kits market with the trial launch of Finest range restaurant quality collection boxes.
