A Peckish Co-op grows quick commerce channel: presenting the retail technology week in numbers
Do you like numbers? Do you like retail systems news? Then this is the article for you. Including Buynomics, Kenvue, Ikea, Mapp, Uber Eats, Spangle, GO Outdoors, the BRC, Crocs India, Fanatics, Asda, and Voyado.
2.88 million...According to the latest report by the ONS there were 2.88 million jobs in retail in December 2024. This is traditionally the high point of the year, with retailers employing more people during the key Christmas quarter. The four quarter average was 2.84 million jobs, 70,000 fewer than at the same point last year, and 249,000 fewer than five years ago.
On a four quarter average there were 1.50 million part-time and 1.34 million full-time jobs. The number of full-time jobs was down 106,000 on five years ago, while the number of part-time jobs was down 142,000 on five years ago.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive at the British Retail Consortium, says: “The number of retail jobs in 2024 was the lowest since the data began in 1996, despite total jobs in the economy continuing to rise. While this decline in retail jobs should be a concern to communities everywhere, worse could be yet to come.”
“Last October’s budget forced retailer wage bills up by over £5 billion, and both the rise in employer NICs and increased National Living Wage have made hiring significantly more costly. A recent survey of retail Finance Directors showed that half were planning hiring freezes or cutting jobs, both in head offices and stores across the UK."
“Jobs cuts are likely to fall disproportionately on part-time roles. 200,000 part-time jobs have already been lost over the last seven years, and up to 160,000 more part-time roles are at risk in the next three years. This matters: flexible retail roles are an important stepping stone for many people, whether it’s a first job out of school or a part-time role for those returning to the workforce or with caring responsibilities. As the government’s welfare reforms aim to increase the numbers in work, flexible retail roles offer a first rung back onto the career ladder."
“Retailers face uncertainty around the new Growth and Skills Levy and on implementation of the Employment Rights Bill which could make it more difficult to offer flexible part-time roles or retrain people. Reducing part-time and reskilling opportunities in retail would not only be a loss to the industry, the UK’s largest private sector employer, but would also punish the millions of people who benefit from flexible, local jobs."
"If government can ensure these policies help, rather than hinder, recruitment and investment in training, the industry can help provide routes back into work for those who need it. Government must join the dots on these different policies to create a win-win for employees, employers, and the wider economy.”
$30 million...Buynomics, a specialist in AI powered pricing and revenue optimisation founded in 2018, has raised $30 million in Series B funding. The round was led by Forestay Capital, with participation from Anais Ventures, VI Partners, and existing investors Insight Partners, Seedcamp, DvH Ventures, and Tomahawk Ventures.
The cash will support global expansion, with a focus on North America, and enhance Buynomics’ Virtual Shoppers AI technology.
"We see immense potential in Buynomics’ AI technology to redefine commercial decision making," says Jonas Jeandupeux, Principal at Forestay Capital. "Their data driven approach is already changing the mindset on how companies optimise revenue and pricing strategies."
$13 million...Marketing cloud provider, Mapp, has secured $13 million in funding, led by the O’Connor Capital Solutions business within UBS Asset Management (Americas).
"This funding marks a major milestone for us and validates our vision for the future of AI driven Marketing," says James Brooke, CEO at Mapp. "Marketing is no longer just about automation - it’s about intelligence. AI is rewriting the rules, and Mapp is leading the charge. With this latest funding round, we’re in an even stronger position to drive innovation, accelerate growth, and redefine what’s possible for marketers and customer experience professionals."
Mapp will use the cash to scale its Marketing Automation platform, deepen AI capabilities, and accelerate expansion across key markets.
290,000 and 100,000...Kenvue, the company behind brands such as Neutrogena, Listerine, Aveeno, and Tylenol, has held a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new 290,000 sq. ft. global headquarters in Summit, New Jersey.
The firm, which marked the start of construction of its 100,000 sq. ft. Science and Innovation Lab at a ceremony last year, has officially moved its headquarters from Skillman to Summit, New Jersey.
An Insights Lab, a high tech, multi-room experience, is designed to transform how Kenvue develops, tests, and showcases its products.
A Virtual Experience Room immerses users in a 270-degree digital retail environment, allowing real-time feedback on in-store execution. A Sensory Lab enables rapid prototyping and consumer testing, ensuring products meet evolving consumer needs. A Design Lab brings human centered design to life through advanced 3D and 2D modeling.
The new headquarters also provides the company with proximity to talent across major areas, such as life science, data, technology, and marketing.
3...Uber Eats and Co-op have announced a three-year extension of their quick commerce partnership.
The tie up, which started in 2022, has seen the number of Co-op stores where Uber Eats is available increase to more than 1,300.
The retailer will now extend its work with Uber Direct - Uber’s white label last mile delivery service. Uber Direct already offers a delivery service from Co-op’s own online shop, and will now work with Co-op on deliveries for orders placed via the convenience retailer’s newly launched app, Peckish, which is dedicated to supporting independent local grocery retailers in communities across the UK.
Co-op will also continue to offer member price savings for Uber Eats users. Uber Eats was the first delivery platform to include these savings, with the former’s more than six million member-owners able to access them on approaching 200 products when ordering groceries and everyday essentials through Uber’s app.
Chris Conway, Co-op Quick Commerce Director, says: “Growing our quick commerce channel is a core part of our strategic approach, and I am delighted to extend and deepen our successful partnership with Uber Eats. Innovation is fundamental to our approach, whether extending reach and choice, creating value through member price savings, or, delivering the Peckish app to give independent grocery retailers a voice online.”
$6 million...Spangle has secured a $6 million seed round featuring Madrona and Streamlined Ventures.
The company is fronted by Maju Kuruvilla, who last year departed controversial one click checkout startup Bolt. It focuses on creating custom landing pages for online shoppers based on what they searched for or clicked on.
In a LinkedIn post, Spangle said: “Brands are spending millions to drive online traffic - yet the cost of every visit keeps climbing. When 40% of that paid traffic lands on generic, one size fits all experiences, ROAS hits a downward spiral.”
“To bridge the customer experience gap, we deliver self-optimising shopping journeys that are contextually relevant and adaptive based on consumer engagement in real-time. Powered by cutting-edge agentic AI and our proprietary ProductGPT, we help brands turn expensive traffic into profitable customers.”
5,800...Ikea announced this week that its Oxford Street, London store will open on Thursday, 1st May, after an extensive environmental upgrade of the Grade II listed building.
This will span three floors of the seven storey building, comprising the ground and two lower ground floors, with a retail space of 5,800 square metres.
Peter Jelkeby, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer, Ikea UK, says: “Whether a local Londoner or a tourist passing through, Ikea Oxford Street aims to inspire home dreams for everyone, offering beautifully designed, functional furnishings at prices affordable for as many people as possible, ensuring visitors leave with ideas and solutions that make everyday life at home a little better."
25...GO Outdoors recently conducted a trial of body worn cameras at its Stoke store to seek new ways to deter theft and ensure the safety of its store colleagues. The retailer says it will now roll out the initiative to 25 more stores.
The trial comes after GO Outdoors announced a partnership with The Retail Trust, a charity that works to care for and protect the lives of people working in retail.
Claire Cowie, Stoke store manager, says: “Body cameras have been a game-changer. They’ve not only deterred theft but also increased confidence amongst staff that they are safe when they come to work.”
“The added layer of protection has been well received by our customers. It’s brought a new level of trust and transparency to our store. Crucially, the business has been proactive in equipping us with these tools, enabling us to react swiftly and effectively to the concerning increase in retail crime we’ve faced.”
1...Kende Retail Operation reports the opening of the first autonomous store in Hungary, with a second one soon to follow.
This is the result of a partnership with Coca-Cola HBC Hungary which plans to open 15 unmanned stores over the next three years, investing a total of HUF 250 million, and aims to triple its revenues from the autonomous retail offering by the end of 2026.
"The launch of the first autonomous retail store represents a unique innovation not only in Hungary but also within the Coca-Cola HBC Group, spanning 29 countries. Over the years since the Covid-19 pandemic, the domestic retail sector has undergone significant transformation," says Ágnes Kovács, General Manager at Coca-Cola HBC Hungary.
"New technologies have taken root, new shopping habits have emerged, the sector faces a notable labour shortage, and digitisation is pervasive. As a leading food and beverage company, we strive to keep up with these changes by investing in technologies that provide long-term business advantages."
When a customer enters the sales area, the cameras associate their physical appearance with a virtual shopping cart. This system links the customer, the selected product, and their personal profile created in the “Take It Easy” application exclusively developed by Kende Retail Kft. for this technology.
As customers move through the store, cameras track their movements, and built-in sensors monitor the contents of their cart. Once the customer completes their shopping, they leave the store. The system then totals their cart and initiates the payment transaction. This technology does not collect facial recognition data, it exclusively monitors movements and activities necessary for seamless shopping, fully complying with GDPR regulatory frameworks.
€7.5 million...eBrands, a Nordic-based export platform that helps consumer brands scale globally through e-commerce and major retail channels, has raised €7.5 million, bringing its total funding raised to €50 million.
This was led primarily by Veikko Laine family office, Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Company, and operative shareholders.
Since launching in 2020, eBrands has helped consumer brands, such as Mysoda, Coach Soak, and Bodyotics, grow globally by simplifying the complexities of international expansion. With expertise in sales, marketing, supply chain, and market access, the company says that it provides a structured, low risk path to new markets.
"We remove barriers to global growth,” says Robin Bade, Co-Founder and CEO at eBrands. “With new US tariffs and rising trade complexities, brands need a partner that turns challenges into opportunities. Powered by Apollo, our export platform allows businesses to scale across D2C, marketplaces, and bricks and-mortar retail without operational bottlenecks.”
The latest funding will support the continued development of Apollo, eBrands’ proprietary AI powered tool designed to help brands expand into 60 markets and sales channels without requiring local infrastructure or heavy investments.
300 million...Crocs India reports that its 2025 Holi campaign has achieved 300 million views on a single Instagram post.
Featuring the reimagined Bollywood classic Rangeela Re and Indian actress Pratibha Ranta, the campaign aims to capture the spirit of Holi with high energy dance, bold colours, and festive joy.
In a LinkedIn post, Yann Le Bozec, Group VP - Head of Marketing at Crocs International, said: “Our Holi themed Jibbit and Classic Clogs added a playful touch, allowing everyone to express their unique style.
The campaign resonated with consumers, tapping into pop culture nostalgia and celebrating joyous moments. The vibrant colours and heartfelt celebrations turned the campaign into a viral sensation.”
The initiative also tapped the recent announcement that Crocs India is available for rapid delivery via Swiggy Instamart.
Le Bozec added: “Crocs delivered in ten minutes? Yes please! Thanks to our partnership with Swiggy Instamart and Apparel Group India, Crocs India makes a big step in quick commerce. But that's not all! 300 seems to be a magic number for us as alongside reaching 300 million views, our Holi campaign has also helped achieve 300,000 followers on Instagram.”
This is powered by Amazon's Just Walk Out technology.
It has now released insights from the initiative, including: seven minutes - the time it now takes to serve an entire half-time queue; Revenue has more than doubled in 2024 vs. 2023; 2,400 pints poured at half-time alone with multi-dispense units.
The company says: "Bar Tap isn’t just about speed - it’s about elevating the fan experience with a tailored approach for every event. Whether it’s bespoke cocktails for The Eras Tour, signature Jagaritas for the NFL, or record breaking sales at Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois, the flexibility of Bar Tap ensures the drinks offer aligns seamlessly with the occasion. With fast, frictionless transactions and cutting-edge multi-dispense technology, fans can grab a drink and be back in their seats in no time - so they never miss a moment of the action."
352 sqm...A new lululemon store on Købmagergade in Copenhagen opened its doors on Saturday.
At 352 sqm, it’s Denmark’s very first lululemon location.
In a LinkedIn post, Lee Pownall, Store Design Manager, said: "This store concept blends warm tones and natural materials, reflecting Copenhagen’s iconic design aesthetic. I have had the pleasure of working with some incredibly passionate and creative teams to bring this to life."
£800 million...Dan Owens, former Group Product Manager/Head of Product for E-commerce Fulfilment at Asda, has taken to social media to slam The Telegraph after it published an article entitled ‘Asda sacks staff behind Mohsen Issa's IT upgrade disaster’.
This focused on Asda launching a fresh round of job cuts as the grocery giant reeled from a botched £800 million IT upgrade that had been championed by Issa.
In a LinkedIn post, Owens, who now serves as Head of Digital Product - Supply Chain and Last Mile Fulfilment, said: "I've really struggled with this headline over the last few days, and my personal opinion is that it's incredibly sensationalist and unfair journalism from The Telegraph. There has been much written about Asda (the company) in recent years, and I'm not aiming to add to that discourse, I want to talk about the people."
"This week, and back in November, hundreds of people - humans: with lives, families, ambitions, feelings - left a business that they have undoubtedly given their all to. These were people who took on the challenge the business laid at their feet, many of them on secondment from other roles, to work on Europe's largest tech transformation, without any real experience of doing it. Sounds crazy, doesn't it? But that was what we were asked to do."
He added: "I was there, I saw it: they did it brilliantly, they gave it their all, they operated with a drive and a passion to do the best by the business and it's customers, they were committed to building a platform for the future. Then, they lose their jobs and headlines like this get published. We cannot and should not forget about the human impact when we decide to talk about something. Language matters."
79%...Adobe has released research showing how UK consumers are using AI tools like ChatGPT, DeepSeek, and Google Gemini to help them shop smarter.
79% of UK consumers consider themselves to either be experts on AI assistants or are confident enough in their understanding to be able to explain AI assistants to a friend. Understanding is especially strong among Gen-Z (89%) and Millennials (84%).
Usage of AI assistants is at a similar level. 76% of consumers have used AI assistants at least once, with 27% using them regularly and 11% using them every day. Adobe Analytics recorded a 500% increase in AI sourced traffic to retail sites from UK consumers between October 2024 and February 2025. Since August 2024, traffic to retail sites from GenAI sources has increased by more than 30% every month.
A third, meanwhile, now tap AI tools instead of traditional search engines, such as Google
700, 140 and 31,000...Major League Baseball and Fanatics have opened the largest ever MLB Ballpark Store in Tokyo ahead of the 2025 MLB Tokyo Series, located at Prism Hall in Tokyo Dome.
This made its debut at 5:30am today, will have 700 staff members serving fans, and will be one of several MLB retail locations in the city, including official stores at Miyashita Park and the Tokyo Skytree.
Fanatics and the MLB expect around 100,000 fans to visit the stores before the Chicago Cubs and LA Dodgers face each other in the final game of the series on Wednesday.
Spanning 31,000 square feet, the new store has 140 tills. With more than 300 products available for sale, it will offer a variety of popular MLB items and many specifically designed with the Japanese fan in mind.
2...Computer Generated Solutions, through its BlueCherry platform, has released its 10th annual Global Supply Chain & Technology Report.
This provides a decade long analysis of trends, challenges, and opportunities in the fashion supply chain landscape and reveals two top technology priorities in 2025: cultivating AI driven insights and optimising merchandise demand planning.
Over 300 executives across the global apparel, footwear, accessories, consumer lifestyle goods, retail, and manufacturing industries contributed to the new report. BlueCherry reveals how industry priorities have dramatically changed in a decade characterised by shifting technologies, consumer behaviours, and trade environments.
17%...Swedish retail technology platform, Voyado, has unveiled new research into UK consumer spending habits. The study, which surveyed 2,000 UK consumers, highlights the continued appeal of physical stores, even with a flourishing e-commerce landscape.
John Lewis and Next are among the few retailers where online preference exists, with 17% of consumers opting for digital shopping. At Marks & Spencer, 45% of shoppers prefer in-store visits, while UK supermarket clothing brands F&F Clothing from Tesco (50%) and George at Asda (42%) see significantly more engagement in physical retail spaces than online.
The research also identifies key barriers to completing purchases with bad reviews (35%) and delivery costs (33%) cited as the biggest deterrents for UK consumers. Shopping behaviours vary across demographics - women are more likely than men to abandon purchases due to return fees (26% vs 18%), while generational differences also play a role. Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X are most deterred by bad reviews, whereas Boomers primarily put off by delivery fees (40%).
Max Etheridge, Director of Sales UK and Ireland at Voyado, comments: "Our research highlights an evolving retail landscape, where the high street isn't just surviving - it’s thriving. For retailers, this presents an opportunity to create immersive in-store experiences that strengthen brand loyalty and drive conversions beyond just discounts.”
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