UK retailers are eggstatic about Easter 2026: 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 OnBuy, KIngfisher, M&S, Uber Eats, Starship Technologies, Pinterest, Studenac market, Next, Currys, Amazon, IGD, and VenHub Global.

1...Happy birthday to Amazon.ie which turned one year old last week.

In a LinkedIn post, Alison Dunn, Country Manager at Amazon Ireland, said: "One year of Amazon.ie. What a journey. A year ago, we launched with a simple goal: to better serve Irish customers. Twelve months on, I’m still learning something new about this country and its customers every day, and I love that."

"This past year, Irish customers have surprised us in the best way. Instant photography film becoming a favourite. Dehumidifiers flying off the shelves in Galway (fair enough). A love of tennis balls in Limerick. And Cork, a county of book lovers, with Kindle devices and bestselling titles among its top purchases. I love these insights. They say a lot about how and why customers are choosing Amazon.ie for everyday needs."

She added that customers have embraced Irish brands, including Spotlight Oral Care, Tayto, All Real Nutrition and Juspy. Irish SMEs sold more than seven million products on Amazon last year, more than ten items every minute, reaching customers in over 150 countries and generating €180 million in export sales.

6...VenHub Global, a US-based specialist in autonomous smart store technology, has developed six new security and protection solutions.

“We are focused on technology innovations for our smart stores that address the challenges of traditional retail to empower consumers with an easy and enjoyable shopping experience while also providing quantifiable financial benefits for our smart store operators,” says Shahan Ohanessian, CEO at VenHub.

“Theft and product shrinkage are two of the most critical challenges for retail operations today as highlighted by a 2023 National Retail Security Survey that quantified more than $100 billion in annual losses due to retail shrinkage inclusive of theft.”

“We have prioritised addressing this significant challenge as six of our 24 patent pending applications directly address providing for enhanced security solutions in our smart store deployments. Our focus on implementing new forward thinking technologies in our smart stores continues to establish VenHub as the leading provider of autonomous retail today.”

£7 billion...Next this week reported that full-year sales rose 10.8% to £7 billion. Pre-tax profits jumped 14.5% higher to £1.2 billion. In 2026/27, pre-tax profits are expected to grow by 4.5%.

Aarin Chiekrie, Equity Analyst, Hargreaves Lansdown, says: “Next delivered its full-year results in style as pre-tax profit growth of 14.5% edged ahead of its recently upgraded guidance. The strong performance was driven by better than expected UK sales and continued high double-digit growth in overseas markets.”

“Quality over quantity is what consumers want, leading them to buy slightly fewer, higher-priced, better-quality items. With its wide range of customers, that’s playing into Next’s strengths, helping drive more sales across the board."

Chiekrie adds: "Looking to 2026/27, pre-tax profit growth was always likely to simmer from last year’s level. But add a global spike in oil prices, and Next only expects pre-tax profits to grow by 4.5% this year, below market forecasts heading into results.”

“The Middle East accounts for around 6% of the group’s sales, and the conflict is likely to restrict growth in the region. For now, Next assumes three months of disruption, bringing £15 million of additional costs which it’s been able to offset elsewhere in the business. But if the conflict drags beyond this point, we could see higher prices passed on to consumers."

"While some caution is wise, Next has developed a track record of under-promising and over-delivering in recent years. And as a leader in the UK market, it’s well positioned to navigate challenging conditions better than many of its peers. Alongside overseas growth potential, strong cash flows and impressive shareholder returns, it remains a good long-term pick for investors looking for exposure to the retail sector.”

8...Currys reports that Alex Baldock is stepping down after eight years as Group Chief Executive, to take on a new external position.

No news as of yet regarding his next move, but RTIH will update this article as soon as we have the details.

In a statement, the omnichannel electricals and technology retailer said: “The board will commence a formal and thorough recruitment process for Alex's successor, considering both internal and external candidates, and will provide an update in due course. During this time, Alex will remain in role, continuing to drive business performance and ensuring a smooth and orderly transition, supported by his leadership team.”

Ian Dyson, Group Chair, said: “On behalf of the board, I want to thank Alex for his exceptional contribution to Currys. During his eight years here, he has achieved a huge amount, transforming the business in the face of some difficult headwinds.”

“We are very well positioned for future success with a strategy that is clearly working, great financial health and a very strong leadership team. On behalf of everyone here, I wish Alex all the best in his future endeavours.”

8...UK founded online marketplace, OnBuy, is accelerating its European expansion, launching eight new markets across Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Czech Republic and Switzerland.

Cas Paton, CEO and Founder at OnBuy, says:“Across Europe, retailers are looking for new ways of doing things. They’re tired of marketplaces that compete with them, squeeze margins or move goalposts. We are proving that a different approach works, which is clearly reflected in the growth we’ve experienced.”

“OnBuy is the only marketplace giving customers real cash rewards on every purchase. It boosts repeat purchases, grows lifetime value and gives sellers a competitive edge from day one, which is something retailers simply don’t get anywhere else. This new phase of expansion brings us closer to a truly pan-European marketplace built on fairness, transparency and growth.”

He concludes: “For retailers, it’s a chance to establish themselves early as we continue reshaping the e-commerce landscape.“

11,000...M&S reports that it is giving its store managers and support centre colleagues AI and Agentic AI tools, with the aim of making tasks like accessing data and analysis quicker and simpler, freeing up time to focus on customers and colleagues.

The retailer is purchasing 11,000 Microsoft 365 Copilot licences, supported by a training and development programme. A partnership with Microsoft is supporting the use of AI at scale across the organisation.

M&S CEO Stuart Machin says: “We’re already embedding AI across M&S - supporting stock forecasting and ordering, generating marketing materials, and powering a colleague help hub with AI agents. Now 11,000 colleagues will have AI support at their fingertips, pulling together summaries from multiple sources and giving them the data, analytics and insights they need in seconds.”

“As we reshape M&S for growth, scaling the use of AI is central to our technology transformation and today's announcement is just one of the steps forward on that journey."

1...Pinterest has launched its first shoppable TV series on Roku. A new series, Bring My Pinterest to Life, turns users’ inspiration boards into real-life makeovers, while integrating QR enabled shopping experiences that allow viewers to instantly explore and purchase featured products.

Produced in partnership with B17 Entertainment, the six-episode series follows creators Drew Michael Scott (@lonefoxhome), Caroline Vazzana (@cvazzana), and Tay BeepBoop Nakamoto (@taybeepboop) as they help participants bring their Pinterest boards to life - from room redesigns and wardrobe updates to gathering spaces and small business concepts.

Each episode features on screen QR codes linking to curated Pinterest boards. Viewers can save ideas, explore inspiration and shop featured items from brand partners including Wayfair and eos.

“It’s an entirely new way to move from inspiration to action, right from your living room,” says Nadine Zylstra, Pinterest’s Global Head of Editorial. “Bring My Pinterest to Life offers Pinterest fans and newcomers an exciting opportunity to see what’s possible, while giving advertisers innovative ways to partner with us and reach viewers at home and beyond our app.”

2...REWE, a supermarket chain in Germany and the main brand of REWE Group, has launched a new Drive&Go pick up service in two pilot stores.

In a LinkedIn post, Clemens Uwe Bauer, Director of E-commerce at REWE, said:  “Your purchase. In three minutes. Without getting out. With Drive&Go, we are launching our new drive-in pick-up service. The first two pilot stores have been launched in the West, with a third to follow.”

Customers can order online, select a time slot, drive to a store, scan a QR code and the order will be delivered to their car within three minutes.

Bauer commented: “Sounds like a nice feature? It's more time for you and for us the next step in our omnichannel strategy. E-food is diverse. And the numbers prove us right: If customers also use an online channel, they reward us with loyalty. Omnichannel is not a buzzword, it's the business model.”

“Retailers often discuss the last mile. The Drive&Go in Euskirchen shows: E-food is not only home delivery, but also smart handover on site. We pilot, learn, scale - and consistently expand the technological infrastructure for this.”

7 and 5...Exotec, a specialist in robotic solutions for warehouse logistics, has announced the deployment of a multi-site programme called Skyfleet for Decathlon.

This spans seven logistics platforms across five European countries: France, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Italy, and Germany.

After deploying its first Skypod robotic system at its Tilburg site in 2021, Decathlon chose to expand the partnership with a project that involved standardising store replenishment across the European continent.

Exotec developed a dedicated programme built on a harmonised, replicable, and scalable architecture; one that enables the roll-out of a standardised model while still adapting to each site’s specific requirements.

At every Decathlon site, Exotec integrates additional automated equipment to optimise intralogistics processes: automatic depalletisers, automated carton opening machines, RFID tunnels, automatic palletisers etc.

The Skyfleet programme has improved working conditions for Decathlon warehouse teams. For example, at the Northampton (UK) site, a picker would walk 10km per day, but within the new programme, they now walk just 1km per day. The number of workplace incidents related to order preparation has also sharply decreased, from one per 5.000 to 1 per 10.000.

The implementation has also enabled most Skyfleet sites to increase the number of Decathlon stores they supply. This is the case, for example, in Ferrières (France), now supplying 73 stores vs 37 previously, and in Setúbal (Portugal), which now supplies 73 stores vs 41 previously.

£1.6 billion...Easter is set for a stronger performance in 2026 according to research from retail and shopper marketing agency, Savvy. Carried out across a representative sample of 1,000 UK shoppers, its findings indicate that 70% plan to celebrate the occasion, with total retail sales for the event forecast to reach £1.6 billion - up 14% year-on-year. 

Alastair Lockhart, Insight Director, comments: “After a subdued 2025 shaped by sharp cocoa driven inflation, this year’s more stable pricing environment is helping to unlock spending.”

“Even so, value remains firmly front of mind - with 79% of shoppers saying they knew where to find the best value Easter eggs. At the same time, half expect to spend more than last year, suggesting that shoppers are balancing price awareness with a willingness to stretch budgets for the right products.”

“Retailers are adapting accordingly. With HFSS restrictions banning traditional multi-buy promotions, we are seeing a noticeable increase in price promotions to help to maintain volume.” 

50,000...Uber Eats and Starship Technologies are launching autonomous robot deliveries to 50,000 households in Sheffield.

This builds on a roll-out in Leeds last year. As part of the launch, Brits will also be able to submit their own 15-30 second long recordings of the track that the robots will play on the delivery to customers, for up to a month. 

The nationwide search runs until 30th April, with Uber Eats unveiling the winning track and its composer in May. The composer will bag a cash prize of £3,000 and a year’s supply of Uber Eats credits. Anyone in the UK is encouraged to submit their jingle - including choirs, schools and social clubs - so long as the applying representative is over 18 years old. 

"Our robots have been a much loved part of daily life for communities across the UK since 2018: picking up shopping, dropping off essentials, there when people need them. Cutting out the short car trips that add up, our robots have already saved over 500,000 kg of emissions across Europe. We're proud to bring that everyday convenience to 50,000 people in Sheffield, making robot deliveries just another normal part of the day,” says Ahti Heinla, CEO and Co-founder at Starship.

"We’ve already proven that robots are a key part of the future of efficient, high tech delivery," says Merve Basci, General Manager at Uber Eats in the UK. "Now, we want to see if they can hold a tune. This moment is about more than just innovation; it’s about bringing a bit of unexpected joy to our customers’ doorsteps. Whether it’s a power ballad or a catchy hit, we’re letting the nation compose the soundtrack to their next takeaway."

£560 million...European home improvement retailer Kingfisher has reported a rise in ​annual profit, with a strong ‌performance in the UK offsetting softer markets in France and Poland.

For the year ended 31st January 2026, it booked adjusted profit before tax growth of 6% to £560 million, driven by gross margin expansion +80bps and cost discipline. The group, which owns B&Q and Screwfix ​in the UK and Castorama and Brico ​Depot in France and other markets, forecast a ⁠further rise in profit in its 2026/27 year.

On the digital side of things, total e-commerce sales grew +20% excluding Screwfix (21% of group sales vs 19% FY 24/25). Marketplaces are now live across all regions. B&Q launched 15‑minute Click & Collect for 1P orders and completed the roll-out of the UK’s first marketplace Click & Collect service across 300 stores

AI driven product recommendation and personalisation engines are live in all banners (excluding Iberia) - with c£165 million sales coming from this. Retail media capabilities are now available across banner apps and websites. In‑store digital media screens are in pilot at Screwfix, B&Q and Castorama France.

33% and 60%...New research from Visualsoft, surveying 2,000 UK consumers, shows that 33% would pay a premium for a seamless shopping journey. Among younger consumers aged 18–34, that figure rises to more than 60%.

Frictionless shopping is key for younger demographics, and that includes everything from knowing what’s in-store before setting out, simple payments, earning loyalty points no matter where you are, and delivery systems.

Today’s shoppers rarely think in channels. Instead they move fluidly between digital and physical retail, expecting the same experience wherever they interact with a brand. 88% of shoppers now blend online and in-store shopping.

When retailers fail to connect those experiences, customers notice quickly. 70% say price mismatches between online and in-store channels make shopping stressful, while 69% expect the same payment methods to be available everywhere they shop. 75% say it is important to be able to check stock online before visiting a store, rising to 90% among 18 to 24s and 89% among 25 to 34s.

The research also shows that seamless experiences directly influence how often people shop and how they feel about a brand. Confidence also rises when experiences are joined up. 74% of shoppers say they feel more confident buying from brands that offer a connected journey across channels.

70% would shop more often with retailers whose loyalty schemes work consistently both online and in-store. When rewards, points and offers travel with the customer across every touchpoint, the experience feels more dependable and personal.

499,863 and 94,133...Businesses and food charities have teamed up to pilot what is pitched as a first of a kind AI solution to visualise food waste, reduce it and redistribute unavoidable surplus to people - the equivalent of 499,863 meals. This has supported an estimated 94,133 people across hundreds of charities and organisations.

In 2021, UK food manufacturers generated just under 2.1 million tonnes of food waste and surplus. While manufacturers seek greater visibility to pinpoint these losses, redistribution organisations increasingly rely on this for high quality food surplus.

Over the last 16 months, a nine partner consortium has piloted Zest's AI led solutions, built on Google Cloud that addressed this challenge. The project was funded through a £1.9 million match funded BridgeAI grant from Innovate UK. The scope, feasibility and benefits of these solutions were tested by Bristol Superlight, Company Shop Group, FareShare, FuturePlus, Howard Tenens, Nestlé UK&I, Sustainable Ventures and Zest.

According to those involved, the pilot demonstrated the power of AI in connecting siloed data points using a Nestlé manufacturing line to map where exactly food waste and surplus is generated in real-time, and identifying actions to reduce and redistribute it.

Early comparisons indicate potential for AI to improve speed, accuracy, consistency and predictability of data analysis versus manual waste assessment. During the project, Zest trialled its solutions with a number of other food manufacturers. In one trial, the AI led process halved the speed of the manual process, and quadrupled the amount of food surplus identified and redistributed.

By applying AI optimised algorithms, Zest’s redistribution platform matched unavoidable edible surplus from four Nestlé sites with the real-time demand and capacity of Company Shop Group and FareShare. Logistics partner Howard Tenens tracked and fulfilled these surplus deliveries, providing the physical infrastructure to move food safely from Nestlé sites to FareShare's network. 

23,000...Croatia's largest retailer, Studenac market, has officially opened its new 23,000 sq m logistics facility in Dugopolje.

Key features include significantly larger and more modern spaces and a higher rack height of 12 metres, fully centralised processes and an optimised layout with a larger number of loading and unloading ramps. Its WMS and TMS systems enable the retailer to maximise the efficiency of warehouse operations, better volume planning and accurate tracking of deliveries.

In a LinkedIn post, Studenac market said: "We are proud that 260 of our employees will soon work in this modern and sustainable centre, equipped with its own solar power plant, who will supply 700 stores throughout Dalmatia every day. Although the technology and squares are impressive, the real heart of this centre is still them - our people who connect Studenac with their customers on a daily basis."

3...M&S is opening three new food stores as it seeks to double the size of its Food business and attract more family shoppers.

A new 15,000 sq ft fresh market style food store opened last week at Hatfield Oldings Corner, as well as a 16,000 sq ft Luton Bramingham location, set to be followed by a 18,600 sq ft store in Farnham this Wednesday.

M&S says that the three openings have created over 200 new jobs combined and build on the more than 20 new and renewed stores that it has opened so far this financial year. It is working to double the size of its food business by growing its store footprint and expanding existing locations to offer a wider range of products, appealing to those customers doing their weekly shop.

Both Luton and Farnham are two of the former 12 Homebase sites which M&S is developing across the UK. The first of these, in Cannock, opened last December and since launch is triple the size of the former store: Food sales have more than doubled in the new store, the retailer says.  

Alex Freudmann, Managing Director at M&S Food, says: “We’re transforming M&S Food and we want every store we have to offer the very best of the food range to our customers - from trusted value to exceptional quality and innovation.”

“To do that, we are finding the right store locations with the right space across the UK that can allow us to offer the widest possible product range for customers and families. This month, we’re bringing M&S Food to three new towns, and we have a strong pipeline of new openings planned for the year ahead.”

4.8%...Discount will remain the fastest growing physical grocery channel globally through to 2030, with its CAGR almost 1% higher than the wider market’s 4%, according to new research from IGD.

This shows that the discount channel’s 4.8% growth will be driven by shoppers’ demand for value, rapid store expansion, and increasing momentum from product and operational innovations.

Dan Butler, Insight Partner at IGD, comments: “Once seen as low cost outliers, discounters are now at the cutting edge of retail: innovating at pace and operating tech enabled, health forward, sustainability driven stores. With the stigma of discount shopping fading, the channel enters the next phase of economic recovery with a stronger brand image and greater resilience to shifts in shopper spending power.”

By 2030, the channel will represent 9.7% of global grocery sales, adding $209 billion in new revenue, according to IGD. Europe will remain the heartland of discount retail with 23.6% grocery retail market share, but growth hotspots include the US, Russia, and Poland, where discounters will gain both share and scale at pace.

IGD expects the global grocery retail landscape will continue to shift with the expansion of major players, such as Lidl and Aldi - the largest global discounters – who are projected to generate a combined $334 billion in sales by 2030. The growth of both giants will be driven by major private label investment, the expansion of Aldi Süd in the US, and Lidl’s data driven pricing and loyalty ecosystem in Europe.