Retail stories

Only 1% of FTSE AIM-100 firms have AI embedded in core operations, as poor data governance and weak strategy stall wider adoption.

8x8 expands Secure Pay globally, unifying compliant digital payments and AI-led outreach across its customer experience platform.

UK retailers are racing to fix parcel delivery failures as squeezed shoppers demand smoother service and loyalty becomes harder to win.

UK health and beauty marketers plan to deepen AI use in 2026 while boosting hiring, creative budgets and influencer partnerships.

EU rules are turning the checkout into a compliance hub, pushing retailers to rethink POS tech, processes and in-store customer journeys.

Xero unveils its 2025 Power Lists, spotlighting the most‑connected apps across accounting, payments, retail, trades and professional services.

Verde Digital has hired former PrettyLittleThing specialist Chloe Steele as SEO Manager to bolster fashion and eCommerce search expertise.

Humanforce appoints AI-driven growth specialist Cameron Partridge as Chief Growth Officer to spearhead global expansion and scale strategy.

Cloudflare snaps up the Astro web framework, vowing to keep it open source while tying it closer to its performance and developer platform.

Smart speakers and TVs dominate UK smart homes as Argos index shows rising demand for security, heating and energy-saving tech.

Altimetrik has been named a major contender in Everest Group’s latest PEAK Matrix for enterprise quality engineering services.

SEON posts over 80% ARR growth, boosts API usage 250% and secures USD $80 million Series C to scale AI-powered fraud and AML platform.

BioCatch warns AI shopping agents will turbocharge online fraud, urging banks and retailers to distinguish helpful bots from criminal misuse.

Akeneo launches an AI‑driven Winter Release to power “agentic commerce”, speeding product data from enrichment to activation for AI buyers.

Summa Equity has bought workforce safety provider Peoplesafe from ECI Partners to back its tech-enabled resilience strategy and expansion.

Five9 and Google Cloud unveil a joint AI-powered CX platform, unifying contact centre workflows and customer data across all channels.

AI-powered eCommerce delivery will top the agenda at London’s TDC 2026, featuring Mary Portas, Arka Dhar and closing keynote Richard Ayoade.

StarHub has launched a compact fast-service store at Suntec City, targeting office workers and city shoppers seeking quicker, human-led support.

Diligent snaps up AI-native vendor risk specialist 3rdRisk to sharpen third-party oversight and speed audit readiness for clients.

Google launches Universal Commerce Protocol to link AI shopping agents, retailers and payments in a new ‘agentic commerce’ push.