May 14 2025
Sussex police to pilot UK’s first GPS tagging scheme for persistent shoplifters
Prolific offenders could be banned from shops and given curfews as part of the trial…
Persistent shoplifters will be electronically tagged in the first such scheme by a British police force. With theft from shops at record levels, police and shopkeepers will be able to track the movements of prolific thieves.
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M&S says customer data stolen in cyber attack
Marks & Spencer has revealed that some personal customer data was stolen in the recent cyber attack, which could include telephone numbers, home addresses and dates of birth.
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Co-op pauses deliveries of non-essential items amid cyber attack
Another major British retailer to be hit by cyber crime is Co-op, who are now only manually ordering the items that ‘customers need most’ as they continue to deal with the fall-out of the attack.
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May 7 2025
Co-op forced to shut down part of IT system following cyber attack
The Co-op has shut down parts of its IT systems in response to hackers attempting to gain access to them. It said the “proactive measures” it had taken to fend off the attack had had a “small impact” on its call centre and back office.
Co-op cyber attack more extensive than first reported
The recent cyber attack on Co-op has impacted more systems than initially disclosed, raising concerns about further supply chain disruption.
Target revamps self-checkout amid theft concerns
Target is changing its self-checkout policy to limit basket sizes in a bid to cut down on shrink and improve customer flow.
Most retailers say store tech isn’t meeting shopper expectations
New research from Jumpmind finds that many retailers feel their in-store technology lags behind evolving customer needs.
Ann Summers launches virtual shopfront on Deliveroo
The lingerie brand has created a dedicated space on Deliveroo to offer rapid, discreet delivery of its best-selling products.
April 30 2025
UK supermarkets face scrutiny over facial recognition use
Privacy experts are raising concerns as more UK supermarkets trial facial recognition to combat theft.
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Puma partners with Sitoo to power global store network
Puma has selected POS and unified commerce platform Sitoo to support its store operations worldwide.
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Shoplifting hits another record high in the UK
The latest figures reveal yet another surge in shoplifting, with industry leaders calling for stronger action.
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Morrisons rolls out Simbe’s Tally robot in UK first
Morrisons has become the first UK retailer to trial Simbe Robotics’ autonomous inventory solution across select stores.
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April 23 2025
Face biometrics from iProov used in UK trials of security at maritime ports
Biometrics aren’t just for border control. Trials like this hint at a future where facial recognition could speed up click-and-collect, kerbside delivery or even drive-thru pickups — think smarter, safer service at the window.
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Cyber attack disrupts M&S Click and Collect service
Marks & Spencer is investigating a cyber incident that caused delays to its Click and Collect service and contactless payments, prompting apologies from CEO Stuart Machin.
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Shopify x OpenAI new retail partnership unveiled
Shopify and OpenAI have joined forces to bring ChatGPT-powered tools into retail, aiming to transform customer interactions and backend workflows.
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Mattress Firm boosts supply chain with invent analytics
The US retailer is using Invent Analytics to improve supply chain efficiency, forecasting and strategic planning.
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AllSaints rolls out unified commerce in stores
After launching its new app, AllSaints is now deploying NewStore’s platform across physical stores to unify its online and in-store experiences.
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eBay adds Checkout.com for smoother payments
In a bid to streamline transactions, eBay has integrated digital payments provider Checkout.com into its growing tech ecosystem.
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HelloFresh opens first standalone UK delivery hub
Marking a major milestone, HelloFresh UK has launched its first delivery centre independent of its main distribution network.
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April 16 2025
UK awards NEC $25M facial recognition policing contract
The NEC is one of three suppliers awarded a £20 million contract for live facial recognition. The software will compare live camera feeds of faces against watchlists to locate persons of interest.
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Are data centres in space the key to ‘unparalleled security’?
Last week, a data centre the size of a hard-back book was sent into space. What does this mean for data security, the environment, and space-to-space data transfers?
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Police raid shops suspected as crime gang fronts
BBC investigation reveals barbers and vape shops across England being used as fronts for international crime gangs.
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April 9 2025<
Should robots have legal identity?
Spanish biometrics firm Mobbeel explores the implications of giving AI-powered robots a legal status of their own.
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M&S doubles down on personalisation
Chairman Archie Norman says the retailer is on a mission to become “the most personalised retailer in Britain.”
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TikTok Shop goes global as US brands look beyond borders
With domestic uncertainty mounting, US sellers are exploring international growth via TikTok Shop.
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Asda tests facial recognition to tackle retail crime
The supermarket giant is trialling AI-powered facial recognition in select stores as part of its crime prevention strategy.
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Amazon bets on ‘Buy for Me’ to drive retail growth
Instead of more stores, Amazon is investing in concierge-style shopping powered by AI and human assistance.
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Tariffs threaten Nintendo’s biggest launch yet
As the Switch 2 faces delays, tariffs are adding friction to one of gaming’s most anticipated releases.
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Westfield opens sensory room to support neurodiverse visitors
The new space aims to offer a calming, inclusive environment for shoppers with sensory sensitivities.
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April 4 2025
FaceFirst completes merger with Gatekeeper Systems
In a major move for loss prevention, FaceFirst has merged with Gatekeeper Systems, combining top-tier facial recognition with cutting-edge cart-based theft prevention tech.
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Bumble adds Veriff ID verification
Bumble is rolling out optional ID verification with Veriff, letting users add a badge to their profile — a timely move as romance scams continue to rise.
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Digital wallet payments set to make up majority of UK online spend
Digital wallets are on the rise — they’re expected to handle 58% of all online spending by 2030, according to Worldpay’s latest global payments report.
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Consumers are buying more from generative AI’s suggestions
According to Adobe’s latest report, shoppers are spending more when guided by generative AI, especially on electronics and jewellery.
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Amazon to open latest robotics fulfilment centre in US
Amazon’s newest robotics fulfilment centre is coming to North Carolina — a 650,000 sq ft site designed to speed up deliveries with over 3 million sq ft of floor space across multiple levels.
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Holland & Barrett to launch its first experience store
Holland & Barrett is opening its first experience store, marking the next step in its retail transformation journey.
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Walmart has developed a new GenAI-powered tool to boost productivity for merchants
Walmart’s new AI tool, Wally, turns complex data into instant insights, cutting out manual reporting so merchants can focus on getting the right products to customers faster.
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March 12 2025
Tesco trials giant trolley scales in Gateshead
Mixed reactions from customers as Tesco in Gateshead trials giant trolley scales to identify products that have been missed or scanned twice with Scan as you Shop.
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M&S introduces AI tool to help customers choose the perfect wine
From just a few quick questions this tech, powered by Preferabli, tailors wine recommendations based on customer preferences.
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Aldi rethinks checkout-free stores strategy
Aldi, known for its lightning-speed cashiers, is scrapping its app-centric, checkout-free store in Utrecht.
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Co-op launches rapid delivery grocery app for independent retailers
The new app, named Peckish, will help smaller stores serve their customers online.
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Younger shoppers are demanding ‘faster and more secure’ online checkouts
53% of 18-24 year olds use digital checkouts thanks to their speed.
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