Online & Digital
Online & Digital covers the innovations, strategies and technologies driving the growth of e-commerce and digital retail across the UK. This category explores how retailers and brands are adapting to evolving consumer behaviour, omnichannel expectations and the rapid pace of technological change.
Coverage spans website performance, digital marketing, data analytics, online fulfilment, and the integration of AI and automation in customer experience. Retail Sector’s Online & Digital section delivers expert insight into how digital transformation is redefining retail operations and competitiveness — helping professionals stay ahead in an increasingly connected marketplace.
-
Oct- 2024 -28 October
Amazon grocery boss to step down
Amazon grocery boss Tony Hoggett has revealed that he is set to step down from his position at the company to “pursue the next chapter of his career”. Hoggett joined Amazon back in 2022 as senior vice president of worldwide grocery stores. Previous to this he was Tesco group chief…
Read More » -
24 October
Very Group profits jump 17% amid ‘careful cost management’
The Very Group has revealed that its pre-exceptional operating profit jumped 17.1% to £218.3m for the year ended 29 June 2024. Furthermore, the group’s EBITDA rose 8.4% to £267.6m, up from £246.9m in the previous year. Alongside this, Very UK revenue increased 0.7% to £1.84bn however its group revenue declined…
Read More » -
24 October
Amazon expands same-day delivery to 80 towns and cities
Amazon has announced the expansion of its same-day delivery service to 80 towns and cities, with Aberdeen, Middlesbrough, and Plymouth the most recent additions. Same-day is Amazon’s fastest delivery speed, allowing Prime members to shop millions of products and receive their order conveniently at home, or at a pickup location…
Read More » -
23 October
Virgin Wines returns to profitability in FY24
Virgin Wines has reported a return to profitability in the year to 28 June 2024, as profit before tax rose by £2.4m to £1.7m, up from a previous loss of £700k. While total revenues held steady at £59m, the wine retailer’s adjusted EBITDA rose 59% to £2.8m and gross profits…
Read More » -
21 October
UK serial returners to drive £6.6bn in online returns in 2024
The retail sector is currently seeing a surge in the number of ‘serial returns’, with an estimated £6.6bn of online returns in 2024, according to the Annual Returns Benchmark Report 2024 conducted by returns specialists ZigZag, in partnership with Retail Economics. The report stated that serial returners, accounting for one…
Read More » -
11 October
THG raises £95m to fund Ingenuity demerger
THG has raised over £95m to fund the demerger of its Ingenuity arm, which is set to become a standalone and independent company, after receiving “strong support” from new investors and existing shareholders.The oversubscribed and upsized fundraise of £95.4m comes as existing shareholders contributed around £50m, while CEO Matthew Moulding…
Read More » -
10 October
Amazon launches new AI-powered tools for shoppers and drivers
Amazon has unveiled new AI-powered initiatives for both shoppers and delivery drivers, including the launch of AI Shopping Guides, product guides that will leverage AI for shopping guidance and product recommendations for customers.Alongside this, the retail giant has also unveiled new AI tech for Amazon delivery vans, with plans to…
Read More » -
10 October
Asos completes Topshop sale
Online fashion retailer Asos has completed the sale of Topshop and Topman brands to a joint venture led by Heartland for an undisclosed sum. The news comes after Asos announced its plans to offload the brands on 5 September 2024, amid a refinancing of the business. Following the sale, Heartland,…
Read More » -
8 October
Very Group owners to appoint banks ahead of potential £2.5bn sale
The owners of the Very Group, the Barclay family, have reportedly appointed banks as they eye a £2.5bn sale of the group, according to reports from Sky News. The board, now chaired by former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, is lining up Barclays, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley to handle a strategic…
Read More » -
4 October
Watches of Switzerland acquires Hodinkee
The Watches of Switzerland Group has announced the acquisition of Hodinkee, a US digital content provider for watch enthusiasts. With a history of stewarding brands, the Watches of Switzerland Group aims to utilise its leadership role in the industry to further Hodinkee’s mission in sharing “engaging, educational and entertaining” watch…
Read More »
