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- 2019 -7 March
Smartphone now dominant device for buying online
For the first time, shoppers spent more money through their smartphones when accessing UK retail sites than either of the other two major device types – desktop or tablet – according to quarterly data from the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index. In Q4 2018/19 – which covers the festive period…
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Feb- 2019 -19 February
John Lewis shortlists six start-ups for its innovation programme
The John Lewis Partnership has shortlisted six retail start-ups to its innovation programme JLAB, who could “transform how we shop in the future”. Over 160 new start-ups and more established businesses entered John Lewis’ ‘experiential retail challenge’ with the chance of being selected to develop their ideas with the company.…
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7 February
Apple retail boss Angela Ahrendts quits
Angela Ahrendts has quit her role as Apple’s head of retail following five years with the technology retailer, and will vacate her post in April. Apple has not given a reason for the retail boss’s departure, following a mixed year for the company which saw it secure a trillion dollar…
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Jan- 2019 -17 January
Smartphone shopping to reach record usage in 2019
In 2019, and for the first time ever, consumers will be as likely to shop on their smartphones as they would a laptop or desktop, according to research by price comparison and switching service, uSwitch.com. Shoppers plan to spend £25bn using their smartphones this year, a £10bn rise on 2018.…
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4 January
Gear4Music issues warning despite 41% sales growth
Gear4Music has issued a warning on profit for 2019 saying it would be “slightly below” last year’s results. The warning comes against the backdrop of a 41% year-on-year sales growth, which has seen sales rise to £48.7m. The group also announced that UK sales had risen by 36% to £25.5m,…
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Dec- 2018 -18 December
HMV’s Hong Kong operations enter liquidation following 41% revenue fall
HMV is to wind up its Hong Kong stores after entering liquidation today (18 December), the company blamed a 41% revenue fall on the previous year along with the “global development of information and economic climate”. The retailer said the company’s insolvency was also to blame for the liquidation along…
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12 December
Shares dive as Dixons Carphone reports £440m H1 loss
Dixons Carphone has reported losses before tax of £440m in its half-year trading report, compared with the profit before tax of £54m last year, as shares in the company dived by 8.71% to 137.75p. The business said the figures were a result of non-headline charges of £490m, attributed to a…
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4 December
Most ‘disability friendly’ shopping centres in Northern Ireland named
New research has found the most “disability friendly” shopping centres in Northern Ireland, with Bloomfield in Bangor coming out on top. The research by lift provider, Olympic Lifts, has looked at the accessibility features of shopping centres across Northern Ireland, and has named 10 centres as the most disability friendly.…
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Nov- 2018 -30 November
Tesco and VW partner to provide largest retail electric vehicle charging network
Tesco and Volkswagen have announced the development of the largest UK retail Electric Vehicle charging network, powered by Pod Point. The UK’s leading fuel retailer and the world’s largest vehicle manufacturer have partnered to roll out over 2,400 EV charging bays across 600 Tesco stores within the next three years.…
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19 November
Nissan chairman arrested over allegations of ‘serious misconduct’
Carmaker Nissan’s chairman Carlos Ghosn has been arrested over allegations of “serious misconduct” and other “significant acts”, including personal use of company assets. An investigation revealed that over many years both Ghosn and representative director Greg Kelly have been reporting compensation amounts in the Tokyo Stock Exchange securities report that…
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