Technology
Technology explores how digital innovation, automation, and data are transforming every aspect of UK retail. This section covers retail tech developments including AI, analytics, payment systems, robotics, and omnichannel solutions that enhance operations and customer experience. Retail Sector’s Technology coverage provides analysis and insight for retail executives, IT leaders, and suppliers, examining how digital transformation and emerging technologies drive competitiveness, efficiency, and long-term growth across the sector.
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Mar- 2020 -24 March
Contactless spending limit to rise to £45
Barclaycard has announced it will be rolling out the deployment of a new £45 contactless limit across UK retailers from 1 April 2020. The payments provider, which enables almost half of the UK’s credit and debit card transactions, said that the increased threshold would “help to prevent” the spread of…
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17 March
Carphone Warehouse shutters stores, 2,900 redundancies expected
Dixons Carphone has announced that all UK standalone Carphone Warehouse stores will close their doors next month. The 531 stores, which represent 8% of Dixons Carphone’s total selling space, will shutter on 3 April 2020. The group will now focus on selling mobile devices and connectivity through its shop-in-shops in…
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Oct- 2019 -25 October
Robots could take half a million UK retail jobs within the next five years
UK retail is set to lose over half a million jobs to robots, according to the 2019 Harvey Nash/KPMG CIO Survey. According to the study, the move towards automating the retail sector is being “driven from the top”, with almost half (44%) of IT leaders reporting that using automation to…
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Aug- 2019 -7 August
Boots to trial in-store interpretation service
Health and beauty retailer Boots is trialing an interpretation service for non-English speaking pharmacy patients, starting in five stores across the UK. The service is being provided by US firm Voyce, with the service being accessible via in-store iPads. Voyce connects colleagues and patients with interpreters who can translate over…
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Jul- 2019 -19 July
Microsoft reports Q4 revenues of £26bn despite gaming slump
Microsoft has revealed its total revenues for the fourth quarter jumped 12% to $33.7bn (£26.7bn), despite struggles at its gaming division. For the three month period ending 30 June, the technology company also recorded a 20% increase in operating net income to $12.4bn (£9.9bn). Microsoft attributed the growth to the…
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11 July
Laybuy announces partnership with Alexachung
Laybuy, the buy now, pay later service, has announced the fashion brand Alexachung as its second major UK partner. Laybuy allows consumers to spread the cost of purchases over six interest-free payments, with the first being made at the point of sale. The partnership will see the option to pay…
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Jun- 2019 -14 June
Asos brings models to customers’ homes with new Virtual Catwalk
Online fashion retailer Asos has today (14 June) announced the launch of ‘Virtual Catwalk’, its first augmented reality (AR) experience. Available now through the Asos app on iOS 11.3 devices and above globally, the Virtual Catwalk test will run on 100 new-in Asos Design products. Simply by pointing their smartphone…
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May- 2019 -30 May
Microsoft’s flagship store to open on 11 July
International technology and software company Microsoft is set to open its first physical retail store in Oxford Circus, London on 11 July. As well as getting access to new products, the store will feature an answer desk, offering a dedicated area for customers to get tech support, training, repairs and…
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Apr- 2019 -2 April
O2 increases paternity pay leave package to 14 weeks
Mobile network and phone retailer O2 has announced it will increase its paid paternity leave to 14 weeks for all permanent employees, effective from 1 April 2019. The new policy, which moves away from traditional two-week paternity policies, has been introduced to ensure all partners have the support and flexibility…
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Mar- 2019 -12 March
Laybuy launches in the UK with Footasylum partnership
Laybuy, New Zealand’s largest buy now, pay later service, has officially launched in the UK with footwear retailer Footasylum confirmed as its first major retail partner. Laybuy allows consumers to spread the cost of purchases over six interest-free payments, with the first being made at the point of sale. The…
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