UK MARKET HIGHLIGHTS – OCTOBER 2018

Trends News 13 - UK MARKET HIGHLIGHTS – OCTOBER 2018

UK MARKET HIGHLIGHTS – OCTOBER 2018

Every month B.D.C. gives you the key retail information you should not have missed. Key trends, innovation, major players, startups, market figures – discover in 60 seconds the latest key retail news.

 

MARKET HIGHLIGHTS

 

  • Since June, contactless payments outnumber traditional chip and pin transactions in the UK, according to the payment processing company Worldpay. Since the upper limit of transactions has risen to £30 and as customers want more convenient and seamless experiences, the shift to contactless has became obvious. In particular, fashion retailers followed by betting shops and department stores have seen significant increases of such transactions.
  • The BRC-KPMG Retail Sales monitor said September suffered from a “summer hangover”, with UK retail sales falling by 0.2% compared to a 1.0% increase in September 2017. Indeed, while sales were significant in June, shoppers were then kept at home by the heat in July and August. 
  • Ecommerce non-food sales grew by 5.4% in September, according to the report, compared to a 10.7% growth a year before. Plus, September’s online growth was the lowest seen since January, although online sales still accounted for 24% of total sales. The British Retail Consortium reiterated its call to the government to introduce a fairer tax system for high street retailers compared to their online rivals.

 

KEY PLAYERS

 

  • Amazon had many news this month, starting with its ambition to create more than 3,000 Amazon Go grocery stores by 2021. It aims to open first 50 stores in major cities by 2019 and is currently looking for retail space in the UK. Also, later this month, the eCommerce giant announced the launch of its first UK pop-up store dedicated to its fashion brand, open from October 23 to 27 in Baker Street. Along with workshops and activities, the shop will feature its own brands as well as the most-famous ones on the marketplace. 
  • This month, the watchword among retailers was “convenience”. Waitrose unveiled its new in-home delivery grocery service while customers are absent. Using smart locks, the deliver will even put away goods in clients’ fridge and leave products on the kitchen counter. A camera worn by the driver will record the entire delivery process.

 

waitrose in home delivery - UK MARKET HIGHLIGHTS – OCTOBER 2018© Waitrose

  • Marks & Spencer played on convenience as well. After a successful trial of “Mobile, Pay, Go” in Waterside, it will roll out its checkout free service in six more stores by Christmas, enabling customers to pay via their mobile for their lunch and go. In Waterside, smartphones sales now account for 20% of all sales.

 

INNOVATION

 

Snapchat and Amazon announced a new visual product search service that will be available on the social media app. Snapchat users will be able to take a picture of a product or barcode and buy them or similar ones on Amazon. Information regarding products will be displayed to the user, such as title, price, review, Prime availability. Snapchat wants its camera to become an interface with the reality. Doing so, it is also challenging Pinterest and Instagram new shopping features. 

 

snapchat amazon partnership 1024x553 - UK MARKET HIGHLIGHTS – OCTOBER 2018© Snap Inc

 

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