The retail technology space during the Covid pandemic — Retail Technology Innovation Hub – Retail Technology Innovation Hub

17,000 local high street stores could open in the next 12 months as British shoppers adapt to a post-lockdown world by looking local, according to research from Barclays Corporate Banking.

Online grocery venture, British Corner Shop, has opened a new warehouse in the Netherlands after Brexit caused a surge in demand across Europe.  

The 125,000 sq ft unit is the company’s first European warehouse and is set to serve as a distribution centre for customers across Europe and beyond. 

Incubeta has expanded its UK partnership with Marks and Spencer to deliver its programmatic display and paid social channels. 

E-commerce startup Fabric has landed a $100 million investment.

This comes just five months after it raised a $43 million Series A round. The four-year-old company says revenue has grown more than 800% year-over-year, with the coronavirus pandemic accelerating e-commerce adoption. 

Covid-19 restrictions have lead to the birth of a new type of consumer – the fusion shopper, according to research from DS Smith.

They are splitting their time across bricks and mortar, online, and Click & Collect, leaving retailers and brands under huge pressure to keep up.

The UK ranks third in the world, behind the US and China, for its number of tech businesses valued above $10 billion, according to research from Tech Nation.

The former has doubled its number of companies (aka decacorns) at this stage in six months alone, with seven companies reaching $10 billion valuations in 2021: Revolut, Wise, Arrival, eToro, Checkout.com, Farfetch, and Ocado.