Do you like numbers? Do you like retail technology? Then this is the article for you.

£1.1 billion…Primark has estimated that non-essential retail closures across its global store estate cost it £1.1 billion in lost sales in the first half of its financial year.

It does, however, expect the post-coronavirus lockdown period to be “highly cash generative”.

73% of UK shoppers have left retail stores feeling frustrated about their experience, according to research from VoCoVo. 

250,000…Buy now, pay later specialist Klarna is now working with 250,000+ retailers globally.

3…Home improvement retailer Wickes has signed a three year, “multi-million pound” contract with same day delivery company CitySprint.

6…LVMH has launched the sixth edition of its La Maison Des Startups LVMH incubator programme.

23% of UK shoppers are using social media to discover new products, according to research from Bazaarvoice.

A third, meanwhile, are purchasing directly through Facebook et al, making it more popular compared to other European countries.

$45 million and $500 million…Shippo, a startup that powers shipping services for e-commerce companies, has announced a $45 million investment led by D1 Capital. The new capital values the venture at $500 million.

$1 billion…Locus Robotics, which specialises in autonomous mobile robots for fulfilment warehouses, has bagged $150 million in Series E funding, bringing its valuation to $1 billion.

£4 million…London-based last mile delivery venture, Gophr, has bagged £4 million in a funding round led by Nauta Capital. 

The cash is earmarked for strengthening the company’s core product through improved UX and client customisation options and driving growth.

78%…The experience of numerous coronavirus lockdowns has prompted 78% of Brits to change the way they think about and consume their food, according to research by ThoughtWorks.

This ranges from the amount they throw away to where and how they buy it.

8…Warren Richmond, CEO and Founder, Situ Live, has criticised John Lewis for considering further store closures.

Last year, the retailer took an axe to eight stores as it looked to address the impact of Covid-19. 

Up to eight more of its 42 remaining outlets could now be shuttered, the Sunday Times reports.

300…Digital retailer The Very Group has donated 300 new laptops for 30 primary schools across Liverpool, Bolton and the East Midlands, with the help of its charity partner, Coram Beanstalk.

50…US grocery delivery service Instacart is reportedly looking into the use of robotic warehouses to fulfil its orders.

It currently uses more than 500,000 gig workers for this.

According to a FT article, citing several people familiar with discussions, Instacart has initially expressed a desire to open as many as 50 micro-fulfilment centres across the US in about a year. 

Two-thirds of high-end shoppers are more comfortable making expensive purchases online since the Covid-19 pandemic began.

However, 90% believe luxury brands and retailers fall behind their high street counterparts for online experiences, according to research by Norstat on behalf of AR firm London Dynamics.

1 and 5 million…Waitrose has announced a new trial that will redirect surplus farm food to families in need.

This will see it team up with some of its biggest suppliers and food distribution organisation FareShare.

In total, over five million surplus apples, cucumbers, crooked carrots, mushrooms, peppers, sweet baby sprouts and tomatoes will be redirected - aiming to create more than one million meals for vulnerable families across the UK.

$100 billion…Former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney has joined the board of online payments provider Stripe.

The announcement closely follows reports that the US firm is planning a primary funding round, valuing it at more than $100 billion.

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