With the second wave of COVID-19 and fresh restrictions in place across the country, retailers have needed to rethink their sales strategy in the run-up to a very different festive season. Black Friday, traditionally, has been the busiest and most profitable period. This year, it may be the saving grace for many retailers trying to stay ahead of  new restrictions and guidelines that potentially restrict their ability to do business.  

Retailers have been preparing for the surge in online sales, as customers will be unwilling or unable to shop in-store. With quick, contactless home deliveries playing a key role for customers, businesses have been focusing on getting their logistics up to speed.

Customers have responded well to the expanded world of self-scanning, click-and-collect, curbside pickup, and home delivery. In fact, our customer data shows that some retailers have seen up to a 500% increase in transactions through these contactless solutions. 

Since the outbreak of coronavirus, computer vision software on personal phones is yielding new value for logistics companies, allowing couriers to maintain social distancing, and keeping staff and customers safe. 

Smart scanning, with computer vision and AR on a smartphone, is a frictionless and fast way to identify and pick parcels from sorting rooms and delivery vans, and provide proof-of-delivery. And with the retail industry set to fluctuate for the foreseeable future as employees self-isolate and redeploy – and shopping patterns change in line with government measures – it’s a model that scales, easily and affordably.