The retail technology space during the Covid pandemic

Retail Technology Innovation Hub rounds up the key retail systems related coronavirus developments from last week, including the 2021 RTIH Innovation Awards and Critizr’s Proud Of My Store initiative.

Studio Moderna, an omnichannel retailer of home and wellness brands across Central and Eastern Europe, has chosen Shippeo to power new parcel track and trace capabilities for customers.

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.

Contactless spending is expected to account for 47% of all UK transactions by the end of 2022, as it becomes the most popular payment method for the first time, according to research carried out by the Centre of Retail Research on behalf of by VoucherCodes.

New research from Valtech suggests that UK shoppers are increasingly open to innovative digital technologies designed to help them browse and buy from the safety of their homes.

The company surveyed over 1,000 Brits and found that 64% are still attempting to avoid the high street due to ongoing concerns around Covid-19.

71% are now open to the idea of browsing stores virtually through a VR headset. 64% also say that they would be open to 3D printing products from home, allowing them to avoid physical stores and even Click and Collect services.

A Co-op Food Store in Hornchurch, Romford has been announced as the Proud Of My Store overall winner.

Proud of My Store is a competition from customer interaction management specialist, Critizr, that celebrates frontline retail workers in the UK.

160 entries are currently featured on the competition website, telling tales of dedication, community spirit and customer service that went above and beyond during the coronavirus pandemic – from big name supermarkets to small regional boutiques and cafes.

Consumers are willing to spend 9% more on a product if they receive superior customer service, according to research from Puzzel involving 1,000 Brits.

This also shows that in-store experiences remain a vital part of a retailer’s omnichannel offering.

In fact, 21% of shoppers selected in-store as their preferred channel for customer service, closely followed by email (18%), live web chat (16%) and voice calls (14%).

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