Down with sneaky swipe fees and awful AI: 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 M&S, Checkers, Hobbycraft, Wonder, Rovertown, TikTok Shop UK, Lidl GB, Pennies, and the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.
£340 million..Marks & Spencer has announced a £340 million investment in its food supply chain - the largest in its history. This will fund the development of an automated national distribution centre (NDC) in Northamptonshire - a key part of plans to double the size of the M&S Food business.
Alex Freudmann, MD at M&S Food, comments: “We’re transforming M&S into a destination for the weekly shop and modernising our supply chain is central to that ambition. This investment will boost capacity for future growth, lower our cost to serve over the long-term, and improve product availability – ensuring customers find the right products in the right place at the right time.”
“Our new site will strengthen our network and help us get ahead of the volume curve as we build a bigger, better Food business. By using the latest, proven automation, we are future-proofing both our business and UK retail logistics, as well as creating 1,000 jobs permanently on site and 2,000 during the construction phase.”
Spanning 1.3 million square feet, the new facility will be based at Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal, and is expected to open in 2029. The move follows an announcement earlier in the year to open a new 390k square foot distribution centre at Avonmouth in Bristol, serving stores in the Midlands, South-west England and South Wales.
4...There are now just four weeks to enter the seventh edition of the RTIH Innovation Awards, sponsored by Vista Technology Support, 3D Cloud, EdTech Innovation Hub, and Retail Technology Show.
Deadline for submissions is Friday, 19th September.
The awards celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world. Check out our 2024 winners here.
Our latest winners will be revealed at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Thursday, 16th October.
Key dates
Friday, 19th September: Award entry deadline
Tuesday, 23rd September: 2025 finalists revealed
Wednesday, 24th September - Wednesday, 8th October: Judging days
Thursday, 16th October: Winners announced at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Thursday, 16th October.
1...South Africa's Checkers is laying claim to South Africa’s first smart shopping trolley.
Called the Xpress Trolley, this allows shoppers to scan and bag items as they go, track a live running total, and pay directly on the trolley without needing to stand in a queue or bag products at a traditional till point.
Built by the ShopriteX innovation team, the Xpress Trolley features a screen that guides shoppers through their journey, displaying real-time product details, personalised promotions, and a running total that helps them keep tabs on their spending as they go.
The screen also assists with in-store navigation by indicating where products are located within the store.
30...Hobbycraft is marking its 30th year of operations with the launch of a shoppable TV channel.
The new media platform offers daily, demonstration led content from expert crafters, with the aim of making it easier for viewers to learn new skills and access all the materials needed. It will offer people more than 100 new brands.
They can tune in from 7.30am on Thursday 4th September on Freeview Channel 97, hobbycraft.co.uk/tv, Youtube.com/hobbycraft or via the red button on connected TV’s.
“This is such an exciting moment and opportunity for the crafting industry and community,” says Steven Hubbard, Board Advisor at Hobbycraft.
“After all the significant efforts of the team and our partners over the last few months, we are only a couple of weeks away from launching a whole new innovative channel that will certainly enhance all our customers’ experience.”
10,000...Rovertown has partnered with NACS and several convenience retailers in the US to advocate for swipe fee reform, generating over 10,000 letters to Congress through mobile apps in just weeks.
Building on earlier efforts in late 2024 that produced more than 3,000 letters, the initiative flags up how retailers are increasingly using digital tools to engage customers and drive meaningful advocacy on this issue.
“Swipe fees are a hidden tax on nearly every transaction,” says Anna Ready Blom, Strategic Advisor at NACS. “They’re the second highest cost for convenience retailers, yet most consumers don’t realise they’re paying them. This campaign helped turn awareness into action by giving retailers and their customers a way to demand change.”
Controlled largely by Visa and Mastercard - who together dominate over 80% of the US market - these fees are set without competition and passed on to retailers, ultimately driving up the cost of everyday purchases. With no market pressure to keep them in check, swipe fees have surged from $26 billion in 2010 to more than $187 billion in 2024.
The move followed a regional trial and allows customers to donate up to 30p per transaction at the card reader.
And now the discount retailer reports that more than £545,000 was raised over a six week period. Between 12th May and 30th June, it activated Pennies in stores to support the NSPCC Childhood Day 2025 campaign.
With each store live for one month during the campaign window, customers were invited to round up their purchases and donate up to 30p via the card reader at checkout. The £545,000 raised was the highest amount the NSPCC has ever received from an activation of this kind.
In a LinkedIn post, Lidl GB said: “These microdonations may seem small individually, but together, they’re creating real impact – and bringing us closer to our goal of raising and additional £5 million by 2030, building on the £10 million already raised since our partnership began with the NSPCC in 2017.”
It added: “They also complement our long running in-store NSPCC cash donation tins, giving customers more ways to support in the way that suits them. A huge thank you to every customer who chose to donate. Your small acts are changing lives.”
13...Jollyes Pets has launched an exclusive trial with Uber Eats. Zoomies is launching across 13 trial stores and will offer rapid delivery via Uber.
Over 2,000 lines are available for customers.
CEO Joe Wykes says: “We’re so excited to launch our trial with Uber Eats and become their first national pet partner. The new service will allow us to reach more shoppers than ever before, more quickly than we ever have.”
One million...TikTok Shop UK has hit a milestone: one million followers on TikTok.
In a LinkedIn post, Chloé Ann Wilkes, Social Media and Content Manager - TikTok (E-commerce), said: “It’s been incredible to see the growth since I started running the channel 11 months ago. From spotting trends and filming content, to editing, posting and engaging with the community, it has been a hands on journey that has taught me so much about what makes TikTok tick.”
She added: “A big thank you to the amazing brands who have sent product samples and invited me along to your TikTok Lives. Those unboxings, try-ons, brand collaborations and launch moments have been a huge part of keeping content fresh, authentic and engaging.”
“I’m excited to keep the momentum going Here’s to the next million, even more viral moments and connecting people with the products they love.”
81%...Generation Z has fallen in love with the seaside arcades and penny pushers beloved by their great grandparents, new research reveals. And the government’s plan to hit the promenade essentials with serious tax rises would be hugely unpopular.
As millions prepare to flock to the seaside this bank holiday weekend, research commissioned by UK trade association Bacta reveals that 81% of Brits believe seaside arcades are part of our culture and heritage, and it is young people leading the charge, with 90% of 25–34-year-olds backing their importance.
Key findings include:
72% of adults say they would visit an arcade on a trip to the seaside – rising to 91% 25–34-year-olds; 84% have enjoyed arcades with multiple generations of their family; seven in ten Brits believe arcades play a key role in regenerating seaside towns, especially amongst younger people (85% of 18-24s).
55% believe arcades offer great value for money, ahead of cinemas, bowling alleys – making them the UK’s most affordable family day out; 50% of 18–24-year-olds, a seaside trip is not complete without an arcade visit.
99% of UK retail decision-makers report some form of AI expertise in their business, while 88% believe AI helps local retailers compete more effectively with global retail powerhouses. That’s according to research by monday.com that surveyed 500 retail leaders.
From dynamic pricing and personalised marketing to smarter supply chain visibility, the technology is helping local retailers meet rising customer expectations and respond quickly to change.
The data shows that AI is now fully mainstream in UK retail, with 99% of respondents stating their business uses it for decision making. Many have gone further: 61% state their company has dedicated leadership or teams in place, including Chief AI Officers.
58...Wonder, a food delivery and technology startup founded in 2018 and fronted by former Walmart U.S. eCommerce executive, Marc Lore, has officially opened at New Dorp, marking its second Staten Island location and restaurant number 58.
In a LinkedIn post, Tony Hoggett, who left Amazon and the position of SVP Worldwide Grocery stores to join Wonder as CEO, said: "A huge thank you to our incredible team for bringing this to life and to the community for the warm welcome. We’re thrilled to continue growing on Staten Island and can’t wait to see you soon!"
Lore has described the venture as a kind of "Amazon for food and beverage". The aim is to revolutionise the food and restaurant space by building a super app for mealtimes, one that blends food delivery, AI powered nutrition, and smart tech.
The company recently bagged $600 million in a funding round backed by Google Ventures, for a post-funding valuation of $7 billion.
16%...New research by SCAYLE, part of Zalando, finds that one in three UK shoppers are abandoning brands, and almost half are uncomfortable with some of the AI tools retailers are using.
Key findings from its survey of more than 1,100 Brits include:
Only 16% of shoppers are comfortable with how retailers are using AI. 44% of consumers are uncomfortable with retailers using AI generated product images and models, 41% are uncomfortable with AI generated video content, and the same number with customer service chatbots.
Shoppers are open to the benefits of AI in the buying journey - if it’s done correctly. 21% rank finding products faster first among the positive impacts of AI. 19% rank better customer service and more personalised offers first.
57% of consumers cite increased prices as their primary reason for abandoning brands. Online shoppers are also very likely or likely (each 40%) to abandon their carts when their preferred payment method isn’t available. Flexible payment options are no longer a ‘nice to have’ - they are an essential part of the shopping experience.
Poor customer service (50%) ranks nearly as high as price concerns (57%) and inconsistent product quality (53%) among reasons shoppers leave brands. While 41% of shoppers are uncomfortable with AI powered chatbots, 19% rank a better customer experience first in what to expect from AI in their buying experience. .
57% of consumers prefer a mix of both online and in-store shopping, with ‘buy online, pick up in-store’ (46%) and ‘buy online, return in-store’ (40%) ranking as the most valued omnichannel features.
62% of UK shoppers expect regular discounts when joining a loyalty programme. 30% expect services like free shipping, or buy now, pay later, and 26% expect free returns. Loyalty programme should be free according to 42%.
Continue reading…