Automation
This coverage examines the role of automation in the UK retail sector, focusing on technology adoption, workforce impact, operational efficiency, and supply chain innovation. Reporting highlights how retailers implement automation to improve productivity, reduce costs, and respond to consumer expectations — offering insight for executives, managers, and professionals driving transformation in retail operations.
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Jul- 2025 -17 JulyComment
What will separate supply chain winners and losers in the years to come
For decades, logistics and supply chain operations have been the unsung heroes of commerce—efficiently humming behind the scenes, away from public attention. But in a world shaped by pandemic shocks, geopolitical tensions, and shifting consumer expectations, supply chains have stepped into the spotlight. For Emile Naus, Partner at BearingPoint, this…
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17 JulyDepartment Stores
Frasers warns of £50m budget hit despite FY25 profit rise
Frasers has seen pre-tax profits rise by 2.8% to £560.2m in its full-year results, but has warned it faces over £50m in extra costs caused by last year’s budget. In the year ended 27 April 2025, trading was particularly strong in the second half, where profits were up by 8.3%,…
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9 JulySupply Chain
DHL Supply Chain to invest £550m in UK and Ireland automation
DHL Supply Chain is to invest £550m to expand its infrastructure and speed up automation across operations in the UK and Ireland, targeting growth in e-commerce and life sciences healthcare. The move builds on the €1bn (£861m) the contract logistics firm has spent on automation over the past three years.…
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2 JulyOnline & Digital
Amazon hits robot milestone as fleet nears outnumbering humans
Amazon has deployed its one millionth robot to its workforce, marking the highest number of robots the company has ever had and almost equalling the number of human workers at its facilities. According to The Wall Street Journal, Amazon currently employs about 1.56 million people overall, with the majority of…
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Jun- 2025 -27 JuneOnline & Digital
Dotdigital Group acquires influencer, affiliate and referral marketing platform Social Snowball for $35m
Dotdigital Group plc (AIM: DOTD), the leading SaaS provider of customer experience and data platforms (CXDP), has acquired Social Snowball Holdings, Inc., a US-based influencer, affiliate, and referral marketing platform for e-commerce brands, for $35m (£25.5m). The investment brings together two fast growing technologies that until now have been distinct…
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18 JuneSupermarkets
Ocado expands Bon Preu partnership with new warehouse
Online retail technology firm Ocado Group and supermarket chain Bon Preu have announced plans to open a new customer fulfilment centre in Parets del Vallès, Catalonia. The automated site will serve online grocery orders across the region and marks the latest phase in the two companies’ long-standing partnership. Bon Preu…
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11 JuneClothing & Shoes
Debenhams Group adopts AI for real-time pricing across brands
Debenhams Group has introduced artificial intelligence (AI) technology across its brands to automate product pricing and promotions in real time. The news follows the retailer’s partnership with AI platform Peak to replace manual pricing with automated, data-driven processes. The rollout will cover thousands of stock keeping units (SKUs) across its…
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May- 2025 -16 MayComment
The most sought-after jobs in British retail in 2025
By 2025, the British retail landscape is a mysterious blend of shuttered doors, mass sackings, and a thriving ecosystem of creativity and new career opportunities which can be home-grown. While the closure of thousands of stores and the whole transformation of the high streets made it look like the retail…
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13 MayFeatures
What does the new Employment Rights Bill mean for retailers?
The Employment Rights Bill, slated for major implementation in autumn 2026, is being hailed by the government as a bold step forward for workers’ rights. But for the retail sector – a cornerstone of the UK economy that employs over three million people – the swift nature of the proposed…
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7 MayFeatures
Retailers at risk: how cyber threats are shaping the future of commerce
In recent weeks two major UK retailers – Marks and Spencer and Co-op – have fallen victim to high-profile cyber attacks that sent ripples through the entire retail sector. These breaches were a stark reminder that no company, no matter how established or trusted, is immune from cyber threats. As…
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