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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Sep- 2025 -9 SeptemberClothing & Shoes
Decathlon appoints new leadership team for UK and Ireland
Decathlon has appointed Elena Pecos as chief executive and Romain Gravigny as chief operating officer for its combined UK and Ireland business. Pecos takes over from Eric Mazillier as the two territories formally merge under one leadership team. She previously led Decathlon Ireland as chief executive, a role she took…
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Aug- 2025 -27 AugustHigh Street
Frasers acquires minority stake in We Do Play
Frasers Group has announced the acquisition of a minority investment in UK leisure, retail, and hospitality experts, We Do Play. The group said this strategic investment marks Frasers’ debut into the leisure market, diversifying its consumer offering through synergies with its existing ecosystem, including Sports Direct and its growing real…
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21 AugustSupermarkets
M&S to invest £340m as it doubles food business
Marks and Spencer (M&S) will open a new food hub after announcing a £340m investment in its food supply chain, the largest in its history. This multi-year investment will fund the development of an automated National Distribution Centre (NDC) in Northamptonshire as the group looks to double the size of…
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Jul- 2025 -29 JulyHigh Street
Greggs sees pre-tax profits fall 14.3% to £63.5m
Greggs has revealed that its pre-tax profit fell 14.3% to £63.5m, down from £74.1m, for the 26 weeks ended 28 June 2025. Alongside this, the company saw its operating profit fall 7.1% to £70.4m, down from £75.8m. Despite this, the company’s total sales rose 7% to £1.03bn, up from £960.6m.…
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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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