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 Tesco, Boux Avenue, Critizr’s Proud of My Store initiative, eBay and the 2021 RTIH Innovation Awards.

Footfall on UK high streets declined by 34.6% in July (Yo2Y), 1.2 percentage points below June’s rate and below the three month average decline of 34.1%, according to research from BRC and Sensormatic Solutions.

Retail parks and shopping centres also saw Yo2Y decreases (15% and 38.4% respectively.

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive at British Retail Consortium, says: “After improvements in footfall in the early part of 2021, the situation has plateaued with little change in footfall levels for a third month in a row.”

A Nisa Local store in Bolton has been announced as the Proud of My Store winner for July.

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.

Nisa Local Bolton emerged victorious for having a refurbishment during the outbreak, keeping all its staff on and introducing new in-store technology and products.

Thrilled to announce the #ProudOfMyStore winner for July is @NisaRetail Halliwell Road, Bolton. 🎉

As well as having a refurb during the pandemic, they were able to keep all their staff on and introduced new in-store tech and products.

Well done Nisa Bolton! 💙#Retail #CX pic.twitter.com/85EzqjqeVt
— Proud Of My Store (@ProudOfMyStore) August 5, 2021

Hermes has partnered with Tesco to provide ParcelShop services across its UK convenience store estate.

This will commence from 6th September in the first phase of stores and a continued roll-out is planned over the coming months.

The ParcelShop estate, which enables people to send, collect and return parcels, currently includes more than 6,000 independent retailers, retail groups and lockers.

The English Football League (EFL) has announced a three-year partnership ahead of the start of the 2021/22 season with eBay that will celebrate local businesses in communities around all 72 EFL clubs.

Through the launch of Small Businesses United, the tie up will see eBay donate advertising space at EFL grounds to the small businesses on its marketplace.

English Premier League club Chelsea F.C. has deployed Fiserv’s Clover platform.

More than 200 Clover PoS devices and handheld Clover Flex devices have been rolled out to enable contact free purchases at stadium food and beverage outlets, and for match day programmes, museum entrance and stadium tours.

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.

We’re pleased to announce @Critizr_UK as sponsor of the Best #Coronavirus Innovation category at the 2021 RTIH Innovation Awards @AwardsRtih @critizr #retailtech #RTIHInnovationAwards https://t.co/BwJGmqNl6Q
— Retail Technology Innovation Hub (@RTIH_RetailTech) August 3, 2021

A quarter of Christmas celebrating Brits will have started thinking about their shopping before the end of August, according to research from eBay Ads UK.

The company surveyed 2,005 UK consumers and also found that people anticipate a more ordinary festive season than last year.

UK lingerie brand Boux Avenue has teamed up with Appointedd to offer a new online bra fitting booking service.

Shoppers will now be able to make in-store appointments from their homes, via the Boux Avenue booking site.

These are up to 30 minutes and, with the coronavirus outbreak at front of mind, both a ‘no-touch’ and ‘regular’ bra fitting will be offered to customers, depending on their preference.