Content supplied by Ubamarket:
In the annual Retail & Hospitality Trends Report commissioned by Ubamarket, national research has uncovered that the desire for retailers to alter their service provision has radically shifted over the past year, there has also been recognition that supermarkets have been at the helm of society during the pandemic, with the study showing that as many as 50% of the British population stating that weekly visits helped alleviate their mental health during lockdown.
After a year that has ravaged the retail economy, witnessing a decline of shopping centre footfall by a record 47.3%, retailers are helping to fuel the economic bounceback so desperately needed in 2021. As an early indication of a resurgence in retail, research from Kantar unveiled that take-home grocery sales in the UK rose 5.7% in the 12 weeks to 18 April, with forecasts noting that consumer confidence is steadily increasing amidst a relaxation of social restrictions. With buoyancy returning to physical grocery shopping, the industry is looking forward to a summer of unrivalled growth - indeed 84% of Brits cited that they were planning to visit local high streets or shopping centres following the reopening of retail, according to shopping centre operator Landsec.
Founded in 2016, Ubamarket has established itself as a pioneer of 'Scan Pay Go' technology, offering the most innovative solutions to providing the fastest 'in and out' visit to supermarkets, offering innovative features such as aisle sat-nav, automated lists, age verification and till-less check out. Over the course of the pandemic, Ubamarket has forged national partnerships with SPAR and Central England Co-Op, further justifying the consumer requirement for such technology, and the admission of supermarkets that retail tech is now a necessity, not a luxury.
Will Broome Founder & CEO, Ubamarket Ltd: “The role of the British supermarket has served a purpose that extends well beyond day to day groceries and amenities, and has acted in a role that we have not witnessed during peacetime. Having largely been the only point of contact that Brits have experienced for close to 18 months, they have once again proven their worth at the helm of society.
"To this end, supermarkets and convenience stores have done a fine job throughout the periods of lockdown and their presence (and produce) has been hugely appreciated by shoppers. Whilst many retailers have implemented some technology in their stores, the past eighteen months has rapidly accelerated the move towards ‘own device’ in store personalisation, navigation and till-less checkout, which is now fast becoming mainstream. 2021 is already proving to be a pivotal year in both retail and hospitality with emerging statistical evidence showing the businesses that embrace technology are increasing their operational profitability exponentially.
“Now that non-essential retail and hospitality has reopened, our research has shown that of course, there will be a sense of trepidation as we return back to normality, but through Ubamarket, we are providing applications that will bring reassurances and comfort to customers and retailers alike. Once the lockdown measures are totally lifted, we will have produced the fastest, cheapest and most tech-enabled solution to many of the problems Covid has highlighted."
