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Retail sales decline in September


By Alexandra Leonards

Sales volumes across the UK retail sector fell by 0.2 per cent last month, according to the latest ONS figures. However, despite the fall, volumes were still 4.2 per cent higher than their pre-coronavirus pandemic February 2020 levels.


Amazon opens ‘first-of-its-kind’ robotics manufacturing warehouse

Amazon has opened a new robotics manufacturing warehouse in Westborough, Massachusetts. The facility is designed to expand upon the e-commerce giant’s existing Amazon Robotics manufacturing market in the US.

UK gov to ditch Digital Services Tax

The government has announced it will phase out the Digital Services Tax (DST) and transition to a new global tax system. On Thursday, the UK struck a deal with the US and other European countries which outlines a DST-credit system that will bridge the gap between the existing tax and the start of the new system, due to be implemented in 2023.

Pret A Manger to trial new self-service coffee stations

Pret A Manger is set to trial new self-service coffee stations, dubbed ‘Pret Express’ . The technology and infrastructure for the project will be delivered in partnership with Dutch beverage firm JDE Peet’s.

Shopify partners with Spotify

Shopify has announced a new partnership which will enable artists to showcase and sell products directly on their Spotify accounts. Musicians can now introduce products using the music streaming service by connecting their Spotify for Artists accounts with their Shopify online stores.
Alphabet partners with Walgreens for drone deliveries

Alphabet’s drone division, Wing, has partnered with US pharmacy Walgreens to make drone deliveries in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area. The operation will initially make deliveries from just one Walgreens outlet to the city of Frisco and the town of Little Elm.

BNPL industry responds to launch of regulation consultation

HM Treasury has today launched its long-awaited consultation on the regulation of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) payments. In February, the government announced plans to regulate pay later services after the Woolard Review highlighted the potential risk of “consumer detriment.”

PayPal 'exploring $45bn acquisition of Pinterest'

PayPal is exploring a $45 billion acquisition of social media platform Pinterest, according to sources reported by Bloomberg. Pinterest, founded in 2009, has more than 450 million users worldwide and experienced rapid user growth over the pandemic.

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The future of retail: bridging the gap between online and in-store

Achieving fluidity across channels is crucial to survival in an ever-changing retail market. Alexandra Leonards discovers how retailers are adapting to the new normal by embracing technology and reinventing the store.

The top retail trends of 2020

As the year of disruption draws to a close, Alexandra Leonards identifies the top retail trends of the past 12 months and explores what they mean for the industry next year.

BNPL: regulation gets the go-ahead, but what happens next?

Alexandra Leonards explores what regulation might mean for the future of Buy Now Pay Later and looks at how the market has responded to the government’s decision to green-light new rules.

Uyghur forced labour: do government measures go far enough?

Under the new guidelines, retailers still aren’t legally obliged to cut ties with modern slavery. Alexandra Leonards reveals why the latest measures aren’t likely to change things on the ground, and explores how retailers must look beyond the legal minimum to rid their supply chains of forced labour.

Are shoppers ready for biometric payments?

The recent announcement that Amazon has started using palm scanning payment technology shone a light on the rise of biometric technology – and whether or not consumers are ready to let their bodies be part of transactions.

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Talking shop: retail technology solutions from Brother
Retail Systems editor Peter Walker sits down with Brother’s senior commercial client manager Jessica Stansfield to talk through the company’s solutions for retailers and hospitality businesses, what’s new in labelling technology, and the benefits of outsourcing printing.

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