Retail News

Pets at Home, the UK’s largest retailer of pet supplies, has signed a deal with Conveyor Networks to implement a £2.5m warehouse automation project at its eCom distribution centre in Northampton (‘SDC’).  Following trifold growth in eCom parcel volumes over the last 18 months, Pets At Home will use warehouse automation technology to drive efficiencies, achieve greater productivity and deliver real-time visibility across the operation, so it can continue to provide accurate deliveries to its…

With Australia’s new Goods and Service Tax imminent UK retailers should look for expert partner support to relieve the administrative burden and ensure compliance UK retailers wishing to explore the lucrative Australian market will soon be obliged to negotiate new import tax laws. From 1st July 2018, Australian goods and services tax (GST) will apply to consumer sales of low value goods imported by consumers into Australia. According to figures from the Office for National…

In a thought-provoking viewpoint for ParcelHero, Forbes magazine’s digital currency specialist Roger Aitken asks if Amazon will adopt Bitcoin as early as this month, and says we should all consider joining the crypto currency party. In a wake-up call to investors and consumers, the award-winning Forbes’ cryptocurrency journalist Roger Aitken has revealed that a global petition urging Amazon to accept Bitcoin has already gained nearly 12,000 signatures. In a Viewpoint for the e-commerce delivery specialist…

myHermes, the consumer delivery specialist, has launched a new Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) that will enable sole traders, SME retailers and online marketplace sellers to provide their own customers with improved visibility over delivery. By increasing consumer confidence and convenience, the new solution will help smaller independent retailers to secure repeat sales and grow their businesses. The free service – which is also available to Hermes Business Account holders – will see myHermes provide…

In 1950 there were 600,000 retail stores in the UK, in 2012 there were 290,000, and just 220,000 are predicted to survive in 2020. Physical stores are not what necessarily attracts shoppers to make a purchase in the mobile era and pureplay retailers are looking to take advantage of the shifting structure in retail. It has never been easier to shop online, penetration of smartphones in the UK is now over 80% and with more…

Data released from Forrester earlier this year revealed that global cross-border trade will grow more than domestic trade in the UK, US and EU over the next ten years. The report states that cross-border sales will grow 17% between 2017 and 2022, compared with 12% growth for ecommerce generally. Of course, any growth figures are to be welcomed, but ecommerce players will be particularly enthused by the larger slice of pie available from cross-border trading….

Apple Watch sales doubled last year, and smart speakers such as Amazon Echo will be a £7bn market within 5 years. But are consumers and retailers ready for the revolution in shopping habits they will bring, asks e-commerce specialist Fastlane International. Sales of smart watches such as the Apple Watch, and smart speakers such as Amazon Echo and Google Home, are booming. Household ownership of smart watches rose from 3% in 2015 to 12% in…

Consumers’ demands on retailers have intensified in the past decade. Previously, having an online store to accompany your physical shop was seen as a luxury, now it is essential and online shopping has taken the next step to meet customer demand. Consumers want the ability to shop seamlessly across multiple devices anytime anywhere. Whatsmore, they want more than the promise of next day delivery and to have the opportunity to order online and pick up…