Blockbuster acquisitions and AI trust issues: presenting the retail technology week in numbers — Retail Technology Innovation Hub

1…Castorama has become the first DIY retailer in France to launch a store on Amazon. Customers can now shop products from some of Castorama owner Kingfisher’s own brands, including Erbauer, Magnusson, MacAllister and GoodHome, through the US online giant.

A spokesperson for Kingfisher says: “This is another important step in accelerating our digital ecosystem and meeting customers wherever they choose to shop. Congratulations to the teams involved in making this happen.”

€45 million…Glacier, a European pureplay manufacturer of private label and co-manufactured ice cream and frozen desserts, has announced a €45 million investment programme that, it says, will expand production capacity, accelerate innovation and support international growth across its operations.

This will fund two new production lines in Italy to expand capacity in high growth product categories, alongside investment in additional warehousing, automation capabilities and upgrades to cooling facilities at its Langemark site in Belgium.

The new production lines will be dedicated to extruded ice creams and linear moulded ice lollies, to meet growing consumer demand for fruit-based ice creams that offer a lighter, lower calorie alternative. The first line will produce spiral ice cream lollies and fruit coated sticks, doubling the company’s manufacturing capacity in these formats. The second will expand Glacier’s water ice capabilities, increasing manufacturing speed while enabling the production of lollies with up to seven layered flavours.

Longer term, Glacier is in the process of creating a dedicated innovation centre at its Cavriago site in Italy, establishing a collaborative space where customers can co-develop, refine and test new products alongside the company’s innovation teams. The site is currently in its final design stage with plans for completion by the end of the year.

The new facility will, according to those involved, accelerate the speed at which Glacier can bring products to market, strengthen its product development capabilities and feature a multi-sensory kitchen and interactive studio where customers can taste new concepts while watching the product development process.

Matt Frost, Managing Director at Glacier, says: “Consumer expectations of ice cream continue to evolve, with growing demand for premium products, exciting new formats and lighter, fruit-based options that don’t compromise on enjoyment. This investment strengthens our ability to respond to those trends, from expanding our fast growing bites portfolio to creating more innovative water ice and extruded products. Combined with our continued investment in innovation, it ensures we can help our retail and brand partners bring differentiated products to market more quickly than ever before.”

1 billion…Evri Group says that it is now delivering more than one billion parcels on an annual basis. Martijn de Lange, Chief Executive at Evri Group, comments: “Shopping habits have changed for good. The growth of online small businesses, social commerce and pre-loved marketplaces last year is driving parcel volumes higher, with the combined Evri Group now delivering more than one billion parcels annually.”

“Following significant investment in our service, operations and people this year, including £50 million to more than double our ParcelShop and locker network by 2030, we are focused on meeting customers where they are, with greater flexibility, convenience and choice. The formation of Evri Group, through our merger with DHL eCommerce UK and acquisition of Coll-8, means we are better placed than ever to offer greater reach and more ways for customers to send, receive and return parcels at a fair price.” 

He says: “Our ambition is to become the UK’s largest parcel company by 2030, delivering 1.4 billion parcels a year. We will achieve that by continuing to invest in our network, technology and people, while maintaining the quality of service our customers expect.”

3,000…Quadient reports that its Parcel Pending by Quadient locker network now exceeds 3,000 locations across the UK. Open to all major logistics providers, including Royal Mail, Evri, DPD and UPS, the lockers allow consumers to send, collect and return parcels 24 hours a day. 

The network also supports prescription collection, retail Click and Collect, key exchange, spare parts collection and temporary luggage storage through partnerships with companies such as KeyNest, Stasher, Qeepl and Radical. Quadient lockers are available through a network of host partners, including Shell Service Stations, Morrisons, Northern Rail, Buzz Bingo, Everyone Active, The Range and Stonegate Group pubs.

“Surpassing 3,000 locations is more than a network milestone; it marks a fundamental shift in how people manage deliveries, returns, and everyday services. Consumers increasingly seek a single, convenient location to access multiple carriers and services. Carriers and retailers require dense and scalable infrastructure that improves efficiency and reduces costs and environmental impact,” says Geoffrey Godet, Quadient CEO. 

“Our open locker network addresses these needs, creating shared infrastructure that benefits consumers, businesses, logistics providers, and host partners. As we continue to expand at a rapid pace across the UK, we are further building the foundation for the future of out of home delivery and local community services.” 

With over 28,200 locker units installed worldwide, Quadient says that it is on track to deploy 40,000 lockers globally by 2030.

£7 billion…Analysis from Experian reveals that buy now pay later (BNPL) continues to grow in popularity across the UK. From 15th July, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will begin to regulate the sector for the first time, introducing new consumer protections including clearer information, affordability checks, and access to support if they get into difficulty with repayments. 

A look at Experian’s  datasets found there were more than 100 million BNPL transactions across 8.5 million customers in 2025, worth more than £7 billion in spending. Of that spend, 98.5% of balances were repaid on time. Its popularity is continuing to grow. In March 2026, more than nine million transactions were recorded across nearly four million consumers, worth £621 million. Average transaction values remain modest at around £60.

Users of BNPL aren’t just younger consumers. While 25-34 year-olds remain the largest user group, adoption continues to expand across all age ranges, with particularly strong growth among older demographics. Customer volumes among those aged 65-74 have increased 46% year-on-year, while usage among consumers aged 75 and over has grown 53%. 

John Webb, Head of Consumer Affairs, Experian UK&I, says: “It’s clear people of all ages have enjoyed the convenience of BNPL, helping them managing their monthly budgets affectively and without getting into difficulty. As with all forms of borrowing, it’s important to be aware of the commitments you’re taking on and keep a close eye on what your repayments will be. And remember that each time you open a new BNPL account, it will appear on your credit report, which lenders may consider when you apply for new borrowing, such as a loan, credit card or mortgage.” 

15…Congratulations to Andy Saw who has hit 15 years at The Perfume Shop, a UK retailer founded in 1992 and owned by A.S. Watson.

In a LinkedIn post, the IT Director said: “That feels a bit crazy to write, it has literally flown by! Looking back, it is not just the projects, systems, stores, websites, launches or all the change that stands out. It is the people. That is what makes us special. Our culture, our people, and the fact that so many people genuinely care about what they do. I have been so lucky to work with so many brilliant people over the years, and that is what has made it such a great place to be part of.”

He added: “A huge part of what I am most proud of is the systems team we have built. I have been so lucky to have worked with so many amazing people in systems over the years. People who care, take ownership, look after each other, and just get stuff done. A lot of what they do happens quietly in the background, but the impact is everywhere – in our stores, online, in our support centre, and across the wider business. I am so proud of the team, the standards they set, and the difference they make every day.”

Technology has changed a lot over the last 15 years, but the last three years have been something else, Saw observed. 

“With AI and the pace of innovation, it feels like tech has moved faster in the last three years than it did in the previous 12. That has meant my role has never really stood still. It keeps changing, challenging me, stretching me and giving me new things to learn. Even after 15 years, I am still learning every day, and I love that,” he said.

“I also want to say a big thank you to A.S. Watson. Being part of a group with that scale, ambition, support and belief in technology has helped make so much of this possible. I am really proud of what we have achieved, the team we have built, and the part technology continues to play in moving us forward. Excited for what comes next, and for everything we still have to build together.”