Buzzwords, cop outs, and new homes: ten key takeaways from an electric Retail Technology Show 2025
Retail Technology Show took place earlier this month at London Excel. And it was really rather good.
Royal Mail takes on InPost and Amazon by installing parcel lockers at Sainsbury’s stores across UK
Royal Mail lockers are being installed outside Sainsbury’s supermarkets across the UK. The first six are ready to go, and plans are afoot to grow this number quickly in the coming weeks and months.
In a LinkedIn post, Jack Clarkson, Group Strategy & Transformation Director at Royal Mail owner International Distribution Services (IDS), said: “If you live in Clapham, Desborough, Kempshott, Low Hall, Kidderminster or Chislehurst, go check them out. Thank you to the teams at Sainsbury’s, and well done to the Royal Mail lockers team who are working tirelessly to drive forward our business. More partnership announcements very soon.”
The Sainsbury’s deal marks the first such agreement between Royal Mail and a UK supermarket.
Prices start from £1.55 online for a small parcel that fits through the letterbox. The lockers feature label printing. Customers need to pay for postage online and print the label by scanning a QR code at the locker or request a QR code if they are returning a purchase.
Patrick Dunne, Chief Property and Procurement Officer, Sainsbury’s, says: “We’re always looking for innovative ways to deliver the best value, quality and service for our customers. That’s why we’re delighted to be partnering with Royal Mail to offer this fantastic new proposition at our stores. The lockers will be available seven days a week, giving customers an easy, convenient way to drop off and collect parcels via Royal Mail as they shop.”
Royal Mail launched its parcel locker network in December. It now has 1,500 lockers, compared with around 8,000 operated by InPost and 5,000 operated by Amazon in the UK.
RTS 2025: Theo Paphitis talks Ryman’s blended approach, his love of technology, and Shein ‘cop out’
“I love technology. I’m an early adopter,” said the eponymous Owner and Chairman of the Theo Paphitis Retail Group, which owns the Ryman stationer, Robert Dyas and Boux Avenue brands, at Retail Technology Show 2025 in London, as he shared his trenchant views on the past UK government and future of the High Street, which is likely to rely on a blended approach where tech supports the in-store offering.
As an aside Paphitis, who is well known for the Dragon’s Den TV programme and for his Small Business Sunday (#SBS) business network that supports over 4,000 SMEs, also advised attendees at RTS 2025 to play with artificial intelligence tools in order to be an early adopter themselves of this important technology. “You ignore AI at your peril,” he warned.
More immediately, Paphitis discussed how his Ryman stationary estate of stores is using technology to drive customers back in-store after a tough time during the Covid-19 pandemic, and indeed since when more and more of its customers now work from home. They no longer regularly travel into UK city centres, where his physical Ryman stores are typically located. “We went from a £10 million profit to minus -£4 million, but returned to profit last year,” he said.
Former Ocado exec and Rohlik Group CFO Vineta Bajaj added to RTIH AI in Retail Awards judging panel
We’re hugely pleased to announce the addition of Vineta Bajaj, CFO at Rohlik Group, to the RTIH AI in Retail Awards judging panel.
This January marked two years since Bajaj joined European e-grocery retailer Rohlik Group. Her appointment followed a ten-year stint at Ocado Group.
During her tenure, she helped to transition the Ocado business from a pureplay retailer to a technology business licensing grocery technology and fulfilment globally. She also raised significant capital, led strategic M&A and supported the company’s international expansion.
Bajaj has major strategic and commercial experience in retail, tech and warehouse automation environments within large public companies. She also features in the RTIH Top 100 Retail Technology Influencers List.
Burger King UK promises free fast food as it preps new flagship restaurant on The Strand in London
Burger King UK will be opening its new flagship restaurant on London’s Strand on 14th April and will be giving away 1,000 free burgers to celebrate.
This is Burger King UK’s first opening in the capital’s city centre for years, with opening hours of 8am – 11pm every day, The former Topshop on the Strand (which closed three years ago) is being taken over by a five-storey location with room for more than 100 customers..
You will have to be quick if you want to get your hands on the free treats. The deal is first come first served on the 14th. To get in on the action, you will need to order a Whopper or Plant Based Whopper at a kiosk to get the burger free of charge.
Also, the 100th customer who orders at the restaurant on 14th April will win a year’s supply of Burger King. Limited edition Burger King UK tote bags will also be given out to mark the opening, including a leaflet with exclusive offers available on the company’s app – but once again you will have to be quick as there are only 250 available.
Arlene Pallares, Operations Manager at Burger King UK, Strand, says: “It’s no secret that the Strand restaurant is one of our biggest and boldest across the whole country, and it’s an amazing feeling to finally open up in such an iconic part of the city. We really believe that this restaurant will become a go to for hungry customers, whether they work nearby or they’re just visiting for the day. Me and the team can’t wait for burger lovers to set foot in here for the first time.”