Contactless payments have taken a leap forward during 2020, in part driven by concerns around the potential spread of COVID-19. In the Nordics, the contactless payment ratio has grown from around 57 per cent in early January to 75 per cent of all in-store card payments in late October this year, according to data from Nets, the Nordic payment provider.
Retail Critical Issues
Critical issues are thought provoking articles relating to strategy, legislation, technology, best practice and some of the most challenging business topics in the world of retail information technology. The articles in this section have been contributed by leading vendors, industry leaders, research analysts, trade associations and consultancies.
This collection of articles cover a variety of topics relating to IT equipment, hardware & software being used in a wide variety of retail and retail supply chain environments across Europe. They look at market trends, improvements in technology and some thought provoking comment on all aspects of optimising and improving efficiencies in store and across retail supply chains.
2020 has seen an irreversible change in consumer behaviour; now is the time to adapt, says Conversity
Nov 24, 2020 Comments (0)

2020 has been an exceptional year for the retail sector, with all businesses having to rapidly adapt in some way or another. Such a time of upheaval has led to a permanent, irreversible change in consumer behaviour as shoppers embrace the convenience and security of e-commerce more readily. This is according to retail technology expert Conversity, which has released its predictions for the sector for 2021.
Online sales boomed over 60% in October to lead the retail fightback
Nov 23, 2020 Comments (0)

October’s retail sales estimates, released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), reveal sales volumes soared by 5.8% YOY, up 1.2% from September’s results.
Leader at major UK logistics provider warns supply chain resilience critical to Christmas cheer this festive period
Nov 18, 2020 Comments (0)

An executive at one of the UK’s largest multi-modal logistics platforms has warned that a surge in online demand for goods this Christmas as a result of the pandemic will test supply chains to the limit in the lead up to the festive period.
Hundreds of millions of eCommerce parcels into the US set to be rejected unless higher data quality threshold is met from 1 January 2021
Nov 18, 2020 Comments (0)

Several hundred million mail parcels destined for the US will be rejected when the requirement for a higher threshold of advance electronic data comes into force on 1 January 2021.
Tis the season for a customer database health check
Nov 18, 2020 Comments (0)

By Barley Laing, UK Managing Director at Melissa.
With the festive ads of big retailers hitting our screens and Black Friday not far away, the busiest trading period of the year is getting into full swing.
Safety is too important to rely on ‘off the shelf’ products. When sourcing safety solutions, consultation is key
Nov 16, 2020 Comments (0)

By David Thomas, General Manager, ZoneSafe - Proximity Warning & Alert Systems.
The boom in online retail in recent years has undoubtedly boosted warehouse and logistics operation in the UK while the circumstances of 2020 continue to fuel further growth within the industry as consumers steer clear of the high street; opting instead for online shopping and delivery.
55% of brands are set to run their Black Friday campaigns as normal
Nov 16, 2020 Comments (0)

More than half of UK and Irish businesses plan to run their Black Friday campaigns as planned or with further investment than originally planned, despite the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Retail success post-COVID will rely on understanding new customer mindsets, says Conversity
Nov 16, 2020 Comments (0)

Six months after COVID-19 started making its mark across the world, lockdown restrictions and widespread working from home offices have caused many consumers to rethink their shopping habits. Retail technology company Conversity believes that understanding the intricacies of these new mindsets is vital if brands are to thrive in the post-pandemic world.
Retail businesses: Make sure you are Brexit ready, says Logistics UK
Nov 11, 2020 Comments (0)

If Britain’s retail businesses are to protect their trading links with customers across Europe and beyond from the end of the year, it is vital that they prepare as fully as possible for the post-Brexit trading environment, according to business group Logistics UK.