Tesco plays it safe and lulelemon hits West London: presenting the retail technology week in numbers

Do you like numbers? Do you like retail tech news? Then this is the article for you. Including Amazon, Debenhams Group, PayPal, Breadfast, Co-op, Just Eat, Fluent Commerce, RTS 2026, Waitrose, Flloid, Depop, eBay, Las Palapas, and Paytronix.

$1.2 billion..eBay has agreed to purchase secondhand fashion marketplace Depop from Etsy for about $1.2 billion in cash.

Depop, based in London, is expected to retain its name, brand, platform and its culture. It was founded in 2011.

"Depop has built a trusted, social-forward marketplace with strong momentum in the pre-loved fashion category," says eBay CEO Jamie Ianonne. "We are confident that as part of eBay, Depop will be even more well positioned for long-term growth, benefiting from our scale, complementary offerings, and operational capabilities."

Peter Semple, CEO at Depop, says: "The transaction is testament to the significant growth we have delivered."

36%...After a surge in high profile cyberattacks on major UK brands last year, over a third of consumers say they have been directly impacted by cybercrime in the past 12 months, according to research released by Retail Technology Show.

Over 1,000 shoppers were surveyed for this. In the last year, 36% had been contacted by retailers to warn their data had been compromised, rising to 53% of Gen Z.  33% of consumers were also told their personal information had been stolen, while a further 30% reported having account passwords breached.

Cyber attacks instances in the UK rose +129% over the past year, with the National Cyber Security Centre saying it handled four major incidents a week in 2025.  This included a series of significant cyber incidents at major UK retailers, including M&S, which was forced to suspend online trading for almost four months in the wake of attack, and Co-op, which later admitted data from 6.5 million members had been stolen. 

These well publicised cyberattacks - combined with personal experiences of breaches - are making consumers more aware of cyber risk; 76% view cybercrime as increasing threat to retail businesses. 

While 77% of consumers feel retailers should invest more to keep their businesses and customers safe from cybercrime, many accept there is a collective responsibility for digital vigilance. Yet 47% admit they are not always “security savvy” when shopping online, while a further 52% reuse the same passwords across accounts, increasing their exposure to cybercrime tactics like credentials stuffing.

1,200 and 180...Oliver Tebbutt, Project Manager - Shrink & Security Technology Transformation at Tesco, has taken to social media to discuss the UK grocery retailer’s deployment of staff body cameras across both its convenience and large stores.

In a LinkedIn post, he said: “As we come to the end of the Tesco financial year, I’ve taken a moment to look back, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve delivered together. Through our body camera programme, we’ve made significant strides in creating a safer place for our colleagues to work and for our customers to shop.”

He added: “With the fantastic support of Reveal Media and Case Security , we’ve successfully deployed Reveal body cameras across 1,200+ convenience stores and 180 large stores, strengthening safety and confidence on the front line.”

“I’m also extremely proud that Tesco is now one of the first retailers in the UK to equip grocery home delivery drivers with body cameras, with 110+ dot.com sites now live. This is a huge step in protecting the colleagues who serve our customers every day out on the road.”

Tebbutt concluded: “Our technology teams have delivered something truly transformative: an internally developed video management system that enables us to securely store and manage our own body worn footage. This now gives us the ability to share incidents efficiently with our central hub and, where needed, with the police, ensuring we can take meaningful action against those who choose to abuse our colleagues.”

£140,000...A London-based jewellery brand has generated over £140,000 in revenue through TikTok Live in 2025.

Family run company, L’ERA Jewellery, has almost doubled its TikTok revenue year on year, with livestream sales now making a measurable contribution to overall turnover. While TikTok is often associated with low cost impulse buys, the brand reports selling individual pieces worth nearly £700 via livestream, with its largest single TikTok order exceeding £1,400.

Founders Lara Sofia-Mar and Angèle Sofia run four two to three-hour livestreams per week, increasing to six during peak retail periods such as Black Friday and Christmas. Through these sessions, they demonstrate their 18ct gold vermeil, sterling silver, and lab grown diamond pieces in real- time, allowing customers to ask questions and purchase instantly.

They say that they have built strong audience engagement through jewellery giveaways hosted during livestreams. While every stream includes some form of giveaway, larger giveaway schedules are reserved for new jewellery launches and special occasions.

In a single TikTok Live session, L’ERA has given away over £1,500 worth of jewellery, with individual pieces ranging in value from £64 to £700. Many of their repeat customers received their first L’ERA piece through a giveaway win.

1...Amazon has begun construction on its first delivery station designed to achieve Living Future's Zero Carbon Certification in the UK and Europe. This is situated in Stockton-on-Tees in the north-east of England, with Amazon set to stump up more than £40 million, creating 100+ roles in the process including managers, supervisors, and associates.

The investment is part of Amazon's plans to invest £40 billion in the UK from 2025 to 2027.

The 10,800 m² delivery station, where packages are sorted for delivery to customers’ doorsteps throughout North Yorkshire and parts of County Durham, is set to open in the autumn. The building becomes eligible for certification in 2027 following a full year of operational data collection and third-party assessment.

It will be constructed to the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard, the new UK framework. It incorporates several key sustainability features including locally sourced and lower carbon building materials, and energy efficient systems. Amazon will track performance data and share learnings to help refine the methodology for future industry adoption.

“Decarbonising buildings means tackling both how we build and how we operate,” says Prajvin Prakash, UK Director at Amazon Logistics. “This site shows how we’re using smarter materials, advanced technology, and AI driven insights to cut emissions from day one and improve performance over the long term.”

“When fully operational, it’s expected to consume around 50% less energy than a typical logistics building - a significant step forward as we work toward our goal to achieve net-zero carbon by 2040. Backed by our £40 billion UK investment, we’re pairing sustainability progress with long-term economic growth in communities like Stockton-on-Tees.”

40...Las Palapas has teamed with Paytronix to overhaul its tech stack, including a new mobile app and loyalty programme. Guests can download the app and join the LP Club to begin earning rewards. The project comes as the San Antonio-based Tex-Mex chain celebrates its 40th anniversary.

“Partnering with Paytronix was a strategic move to simplify the Las Palapas tech stack, making it more efficient and bringing more functionality. This digital backbone positions us to succeed as we look to a new period of growth, further scaling the brand,” says Joseph Fain, VP of Operations at Las Palapas.

“We now have a cutting-edge digital foundation that streamlined our restaurant operations and is bringing new ways to engage and excite our guests. Online ordering is much easier, as is loyalty enrollment, and more than 100,000 loyalty members are transitioning to the new app where they can re-order favourites, browse new offers, earn and check their rewards and now they can even manage or pay with e-gift card balances.”

$50 million...Breadfast, an Egypt-based same day delivery and consumer supply chain technology platform, has secured a $50 million pre-Series C funding round involving SBI Investment (Japan), IFC, EBRD, Novastar Ventures, AAIC, Olayan Financing Company (Saudi Arabia),  and existing investors Y Combinator and 4DX Ventures.

Founded in 2017, Breadfast has developed an operating platform that combines demand forecasting, inventory management, quality controlled fulfillment, and optimised delivery. The company currently serves more than 500,000 monthly active customers and offers over 8,000 products across its network.

“We are proud to partner with an outstanding team that is reimagining household commerce through an innovative private label strategy. The Breadfast model delivers quality, speed, and convenience to everyday consumers at scale while significantly reducing food waste,” says Steve Beck, Co-founder and Managing Partner at Novastar Ventures.

“Breadfast is a homegrown champion reshaping how people shop for everyday essentials in Egypt and beyond,” says Ethiopis Tafara, IFC’s Vice President for Africa. “Our investment backs a bold, technology driven platform that is modernising supply chains for consumer markets and accelerating resilient, private sector led growth across Africa.

5...Waitrose has renewed its relationship with Flooid for a further five-year term. The pair have been working together for the past 20 years.

"For more than 20 years, we have supported Waitrose with trusted Point of Sale technology, and we remain committed to delivering the high performing, flexible and resilient platform needed to enable great shopping experiences for their customers," says Martyn Osborne, Chief Executive Officer (EMEA, APAC) at Flooid.

1...Debenhams Group, home to PrettyLittleThing, boohoo, boohooMAN, Karen Millen and Debenhams, has partnered with PayPal on an AI driven shopping experience, becoming the first retailer in the UK to enable customers to discover, receive personalised recommendations and check out entirely within the PayPal app.

PayPal is currently testing the AI assistant with select US customers, where it has also been integrated with AI tools such as Perplexity and Microsoft Copilot, with a broader US and UK launch planned later this year.

Shoppers can use an AI assistant within its platform to ask for product suggestions, explore relevant items and browse curated selections from brands including Karen Millen, boohoo and boohooMAN. Customers can then complete their purchase directly within the chat experience, with PayPal automatically using saved account details for home delivery.

Dan Finley, CEO at Debenhams Group, says: "Our goal is to help customers discover and be inspired by new products and brands, while making shopping as easy and enjoyable as possible.”

“This kind of innovation has the potential to fundamentally transform online retail; in a way we haven’t seen since the shift to mobile shopping. We’re proud to be the first UK retailer to partner with PayPal on this experience, bringing a faster, more intuitive way to shop to customers across our brands.”

1...Co-op and Just Eat have announced changes for online shoppers as the former becomes the first supermarket to introduce member price savings on the latter's platform.

Approaching 150 everyday products and essentials have seen an average price saving of almost 37% with Co-op member prices now available online as well as in-store for shoppers via Just Eat, with the addition of speedy home delivery.

Co-op has grown its quick commerce channel through its own online shop and with partners such as Just Eat who it has worked with since 2022. Just Eat is now available from over 1,000 Co-op stores.

Online orders are picked in the local store, and delivered quickly, often in as little as 60 minutes or less. Co-op says that this approach ensures the high street store also benefits from online demand and, with a store in every postal area, around 86% of the UK population now has access to Co-op groceries online.

1 and 13...lululemon has announced the opening of its first store on High Street Kensington, which will become the brand’s 13th store in London. 

Located at 132–136 Kensington High Street, W8 7RL, this spans approximately 7,000 square feet across two floors. The design draws inspiration from the store’s proximity to Hyde Park and the area’s natural surroundings, combining wood finishes, textured materials, and soft, neutral tones. The store also features a local manifesto centred on running culture, brought to life through inspiring quotes and movement led design elements. 

“Following the opening of our Regent Street flagship store last year, we’re excited to continue growing our presence in London with our new High Street Kensington location, which will be our 13th standalone store in the city,” says Sarah Clark, Senior Vice President, EMEA, lululemon.

“This store brings our latest design concept to life in a way that feels open, welcoming, and genuinely connected to the local community. The High Street Kensington store showcases both our men’s and women’s ranges across yoga, Pilates, train, tennis, and golf - high performance, high style collections covering technical apparel, footwear, and accessories. The new space provides us with a great opportunity to better serve West London’s active community and build meaningful, long-term connections in the neighbourhood.” 

A$46 million...Fluent Commerce, an Australian order management systems company whose customers include Prada Group, L’Oreal, Kingfisher, LVMH and JD Sports, has secured A$46 million in new funding from Bain Capital. It says that the investment will support global growth, and enable customers to scale faster with new AI powered capabilities in its Fluent Order Management offering.

Fluent Commerce CEO Graham Jackson says: “Our goal is to serve our customers with real-time data to enable them to remove profit leaks and to grow. Whether it’s into a new market or launching a new brand or experience, we provide the decision-making engine for AI ready commerce operations. This investment from Bain Capital enables us to supercharge our international growth and become the AI powerhouse for global brands.”

Paul Kennedy, Partner at Bain Capital, says: “We are excited to partner with Fluent Commerce as it accelerates its global expansion. Fluent has built a best-in-class order management platform guided by a proven management team, a focused customer first strategy, and technology leadership that has earned the trust of leading global brands. Our conviction in the company is grounded in our global technology investing experience, which we will continue to apply as we support its ongoing growth.”