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ONS confirms fifth consecutive month of rising retail sales

By Peter Walker

23/10/20

The value of retail sales increased by 1.4 per cent in September when compared with the previous month - and the fifth consecutive month of growth - according to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) report. This was reflected in the three-month growth rate of 17.4 per cent for volume of sales – the biggest quarterly growth seen on record, as sales recovered from the low levels experienced earlier in the year.

Apple is rolling out a range of new “tailored purchase experiences” online, by phone, or in store for its new iPhone 12 and iPad Air from tomorrow. From a chat session with a specialist that starts online and finishes with contactless delivery, to visiting select Apple Store locations for a one-on-one session with a staff member, the tech giant has redesigned its customer journey.

Royal Mail begins parcel pick-up service

Royal Mail has launched a parcel pick-up service across the UK, one of the biggest changes to the daily delivery since the launch of the postbox in 1852. The new service - Parcel Collect - means postmen and postwomen will now be able to collect parcels as well as deliver them on their round.

Retail rebounds in Q3, but ‘Christmas will paint a different picture’

The latest KPMG and Ipsos Retail Think Tank (RTT) has revealed a qualified recovery between July to September, compared to April to June. Its Retail Health Index (RHI) - a quantitative and qualitative assessment of demand, margin and cost - rose by six points, bringing the index to 67.

BRC launches cyber security toolkit for retailers

As part of its strategy to increase cyber resilience amongst retailers, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has worked with experts at the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to develop a new toolkit to support business leaders in reducing the threat of a successful attack. The actionable guide is specifically designed for non-cyber experts, such as board members, those in senior strategic roles, and startup businesses.

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Andy Martin to join John Lewis Partnership board

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SIX Payment Services appoints managing director

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Shop Direct appoints Henry Birch as CEO

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itim hires Simon Evetts as UK managing director

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JoAnn Stonier joins Mastercard as chief data officer

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Fast fashion falls out of favour

The ethics of retailer supply chains has been called into question recently, with brands now rushing to implement technology that gives better visibility into how products are made, sourced and shipped. The scandal that brought the issue into focus most recently was a report in July on Boohoo’s UK supply chain that had a significant impact on the company’s share price and reputation.

Delivery sector reacts to lockdown demand

One fairly predictable consequence of the Coronavirus lockdown has been a marked increase in the amount of online shopping – but how is the delivery and logistics sector dealing with the spike in demand this has caused?

Cashierless store trials struggle with security

Cashierless shopping trials are currently underway with a range of retailers across the US and Europe, but concerns around shop security could hold back the roll-out of the technology. In the last 12 months, the Co-Operative and Sainsbury’s supermarkets in the UK have run in-store pilot schemes, while Europe’s largest consumer electronics retailer MediaMarktSaturn recently deployed MishiPay’s mobile self-checkout solution in the world’s biggest electronics store in Hamburg.

Should ailing retailers dump stores post-COVID?

With High Street clothing and footwear retailers among the hardest hit by the Coronavirus lockdown, some are suggesting that those going under would be better to re-emerge as online-only brands.

Coronavirus-hit grocers struggle with supply chain modelling

The Coronavirus crisis has hit many industries hard, but those grocers expected to keep the nation fed and watered have been criticised in recent weeks for not being able to handle the surge in demand. The self-isolation advice and eventual lockdown across the UK has led people to stockpile certain key items, putting a serious strain on ‘just in time’ replenishment models not prepared for such spikes in sales – especially while dealing with staff shortages that cut available manpower by as much as a quarter.

Retailers use tech to meet sustainability demands

Sustainability and the environment have shot up the business agenda recently, as consumers have become more demanding of the companies they deal with; with retailers increasingly implementing technology to help them meet those demands.

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Latest videos

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Published on: 10/07/2019
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HULFT

Find out how HULFT can help you manage data, integration, supply chain automation and digital transformation across your retail enterprise.

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Published on: 17/04/2019
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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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Published on: 14/12/2018
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Why the High Street needs a digital upgrade

Fluent Commerce’s EMEA managing director Rob Shaw sat down with Retail Systems editor Peter Walker to discuss omnichannel opportunities, the best way to tackle technology and how the company is expanding into the UK and Europe.