E-commerce technology

‘Times are hard’ for fintech but latest report reveals glimmer of recovery

Fintech investment in the UK hit a four-year low last year, as the wider EMEA region saw the lowest numbers in eight years Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

AI-driven personalisation appealing to UK shoppers, says research

Retailers should be using artificial intelligence to increase brand loyalty through personalisation, according to research Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Interview: Digital tech fuels AutoTrader’s drive into the future

Led by a technology enthusiast, AutoTrader is on a digital journey that began when it decided to take a different route in 2007 Continue Reading

What is customer self-service?

Customer self-service is digital support that lets end users access information and perform routine tasks without requiring the assistance of live agents or representatives. Continue Reading

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• Cameron Hashemi-Pour, Former Site Editor

NRF review: no escaping AI for retail in 2025

What themes will be seen in the retail tech space over the next year, according to the 2025 National Retail Federation’s Big Show? Continue Reading

By

• Glynn Davis

What is account mapping, and why do you need it (with template)?

Account mapping is a strategic process that involves researching and visually organizing the key stakeholders, decision-makers and influencers within a target customer's organization. Continue Reading

By

• Nick Barney, Technology Writer
• Griffin LaFleur, Swing Education

Barclays hit by major IT outage on HMRC deadline day

Customers of Barclays Bank are left unable to access web app and online banking following a significant IT outage that seems to have come at the worst possible time Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Interview: Digital tech fuels AutoTrader’s drive into the future

Led by a technology enthusiast, AutoTrader is on a digital journey that began when it decided to take a different route in 2007 Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

EU law could usher in transformative change to digital ecosystems

The EU’s Digital Fairness Act aims to end exploitative practices online and enhance consumer protection, but civil society groups say it must address the power and information asymmetries between users and tech firms Continue Reading

By

• Adele Zeynep Walton

ICO launches major review of cookies on UK websites

ICO sets out 2025 goals, including a review of cookie compliance across the UK’s top 1,000 websites, as it seeks to achieve its ultimate goal of giving the public meaningful control over how their data is used Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Clubcard at 30 – the evolution of retail loyalty

When Tesco Clubcard was developed 30 years ago, using the technology of the time to analyse data was a long shot, but it grew into a scheme that birthed retail loyalty as we know it today Continue Reading

By

• Glynn Davis

CMA kicks off investigation into Google search engine dominance

The Competition and Markets Authority is using powers that came into force at the start of the year to assess Google’s reach Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Collaborative transport optimisation helps towards decarbonisation goals

Real-life pilot projects show the potential, but industry mindset change is required to help retail and wholesale fleets drive major decarbonisation gains in the year ahead Continue Reading

By

• Ben Sillitoe

What is Dunelm doing for women in tech?

A dedicated Women in Tech Week event, coffee roulette, and boosting knowledge, confidence and connections – the women in tech work at Dunelm is building momentum Continue Reading

By

• Ben Sillitoe

Post Office scandal 2024 – part 3: Fujitsu’s 12-month fall from grace

After years of refusing to comment, Fujitsu was unable to continue hiding from its role in the Post Office Horizon IT scandal as politicians and a public inquiry demanded answers Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

From front to back: tech vice-president Dan Lake on Notonthehighstreet.com’s tech strategy

Notonthehighstreet.com vice-president of technology, Dan Lake, says that the online marketplace has underinvested in back-end systems – but it’s time for change Continue Reading

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• Ben Sillitoe

Stage is set for legal battles over Big Tech dominance

Having lost its case to drop a £7bn collective claim, Google is facing increased legal scrutiny on a number of fronts over its potentially anti-competitive business practices. Continue Reading

Unwrapping the benefits of AI for marketing

In the first of a new series of articles, the 12 Days of AI, we explore how AI is being used in marketing, the benefits and key use cases, as well as concerns and how marketers can best take advantage of AI Continue Reading

By

• Sophie Rea, ANS

Stage is set for legal battles over Big Tech dominance

Having lost its case to drop a £7bn collective claim, Google is facing increased legal scrutiny on a number of fronts over its business practices Continue Reading

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• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

More Google search woes

Summary judgment clears path for UK campaigner to pursue collective action against Google over search engine practices Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Financiers isolate Middle East over sanctions-evading paytech

Cross-border payment system loses support of association of global central banks Continue Reading

By

• Mark Ballard

Google to appeal Play Store ruling

Google’s ongoing fight with Epic Games is game-over, after a judge ruled in favour of the developer to open up access to Android apps Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Amazon Mechanical Turk workers suspended without explanation

A likely glitch in Amazon Payments resulted in hundreds of Mechanical Turk workers being suspended from the platform without proper explanation or pay Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Fraud and scam complaints hit highest ever level in UK

The Financial Ombudsman Service says it recorded almost 9,000 complaints about fraud and scams from April to June, the most ever recorded Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Interview: Currys CIO Andy Gamble on AI strategy

The CIO of Currys on the four pillars of the retailer’s artificial intelligence strategy and how generative AI can enable staff to be the best versions of themselves Continue Reading

By

• Ben Sillitoe

Google's cookie conundrum: What comes next?

Google's revised approach to third-party cookies shouldn't come as a surprise, and may also be welcome Continue Reading

By

• Christian Ward

Court document reveals Google’s strategy to dodge Department of Justice

Google got away with various practices to avoid scrutiny from regulators, but has been found guilty of acting in an anti-competitive way in the US Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

WTO digital trade agreement aims to modernise global commerce

A digital trade deal negotiated over five years at the World Trade Organization has been signed by 91 countries, laying the groundwork for a new global digital trade regime Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Chrome cookies reprieved amid Google Privacy Sandbox changes

Google abruptly changes tack on third-party cookies in its Chrome web browser, cancelling plans to deprecate them in favour of an unspecified ‘new experience’ for users Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Public awareness of ID security grows, but big obstacles remain

Consumers are improving their awareness of the issues around digital identity security, but there are still some big issues preventing many from doing better, according to an Okta report Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

The pros, cons and misconceptions of dynamic pricing for retailers

The terms dynamic pricing and surge pricing are often conflated, leaving retailers battling against misconceptions and angry consumers as they use technology to implement price flexibility across their stores Continue Reading

By

• Glynn Davis

CDO interview: Sophie Gallay, global data and client IT director, Etam

The French retailer has some catching up to do on its data strategy and digital transformation – and its new data chief has an ambitious roadmap to deliver on data science, business intelligence and artificial intelligence Continue Reading

By

• Mark Samuels

European data chief prepares bid to get UK to join EU digital single market

Data initiative Gaia-X is trying to plug the UK into a planned digital European single market, as the EU seeks to extend the reach of vast and controversial data laws over global supply chains Continue Reading

By

• Mark Ballard

Executive interview: Richard Wazacz, CEO, Travelex

The data-savvy chief executive is rebuilding Travelex as an omnichannel, digital business after the company foundered during the pandemic Continue Reading

By

• Mark Samuels

Interview: EU data chief Ulrich Ahle on obstacles to Europe’s digital single market

EU data scheme Gaia-X is trying to plug the UK into Europe’s planned digital single market as opposition mounts to efforts to extend the reach of Europe’s vast and controversial data laws over global supply chains Continue Reading

By

• Mark Ballard

Norway bolsters digital transformation drive

Norway’s government backs digital transformation with major capital investment this year Continue Reading

By

• Gerard O'Dwyer

Data, online delivery and the search for continual e-commerce improvement

Retailers and carriers met for the annual Delivery Conference in February, discussing how to use tech and data to drive improvements in e-commerce Continue Reading

By

• Ben Sillitoe

affinity marketing

Affinity marketing is a type of direct marketing in which a business forms a partnership with an organization to provide goods or services in exchange for access to a new market. Continue Reading

By

• Katie Terrell Hanna

European Parliament approves platform worker directive

The approval of the platform worker directive gives member states two years to incorporate its measures into their national legislation, which includes provisions on how to classify the employment of gig workers and deploy algorithmic decision-making at work Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Alphabet earnings show drive to boost Google Cloud and AI adoption

The parent company of Google has increased artificial intelligence R&D spending and raised cloud sales commissions to boost adoption of Google Cloud Continue Reading

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• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Amazon lobbyists banned from European Parliament

Amazon lobbyists have had their access badges to the European Parliament revoked, following allegedly repeated refusals to engage with lawmakers on issues around working conditions and rights Continue Reading

How to create an omnichannel marketing strategy

Marketers often struggle with the complexities of omnichannel implementation. To get started, they can set their business goals and invest in the right technologies. Continue Reading

By

• Griffin LaFleur, Swing Education

Nationwide building society falls victim to IT outage

Nationwide joins McDonald’s, Greggs, Sainsbury’s and Tesco as the fifth major high street name to experience an IT service outage in the space of a week Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

US sues Apple, alleging smartphone monopoly

A major legal action against Apple over its dominance of the smartphone market has kicked off in the US, alleging anticompetitive practices on Apple’s part that have damaged the sector and restricted consumer choice Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

B2B (business to business)

B2B (business-to-business) is a type of commerce involving the exchange of products, services or information between businesses, rather than from business to consumer (B2C). Continue Reading

By

• Cameron Hashemi-Pour, Former Site Editor
• TechTarget Contributor

TechUK calls for next government to introduce ‘industrial strategy’ for AI

Trade group TechUK publishes blueprint calling for winner of next election to boost tech startups, digitise government services and accelerate technology R&D Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

How AllSaints, L’Oreal and Deliveroo are using AI to improve CX

From fuelling chatbots and digital assistants, to helping with retail media targeting, retailers continue to announce ways artificial intelligence is helping them boost customer experiences online Continue Reading

By

• Ben Sillitoe

Amazon lobbyists banned from European Parliament

Amazon lobbyists have had their access badges to the European Parliament revoked, following allegedly repeated refusals to engage with lawmakers on issues around working conditions and rights Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Flying into cloud – EasyJet’s journey out of the datacentre to AI

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we find out how EasyJet fills an aircraft every 10 seconds while migrating to the cloud and introducing AI. There’s only 283 years to go until we have a diverse IT workforce – we find out why. And we examine how the UK anti-trust investigation into the cloud market could hit the big hyperscalers. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Crew Clothing head of IT: ‘The projects don’t stop’

Crew Clothing parted ways with its senior leadership team in 2023, but there is a clear roadmap in place for technology transformation – and it doesn’t involve an ERP system Continue Reading

By

• Ben Sillitoe

Retail’s Big Show: Reporting from the retail technology front line

What themes will we be seeing in the retail tech space over the next year according to the 2024 National Retail Federation’s Big Show? Continue Reading

By

• Glynn Davis

Top metaverse investors and how to start investing

Would-be metaverse investors have many ways to get in on the action. Read our coverage of the metaverse's top investors, direct investing opportunities and investment risks. Continue Reading

By

• Ashwin Krishnan, StandOutin90Sec

How will the metaverse affect the future of work?

Virtual field trips to the Louvre for inspiration, accelerated learning, onboarding reimagined -- how will the metaverse change our working environments and when? It depends. Continue Reading

By

• George Lawton

All eyes are on the Post Office scandal – at last

In this week’s Computer Weekly, 15 years since we first revealed the plight of subpostmasters, and four years since their High Court victory, the UK public and government are getting behind the victims, thanks to a TV dramatisation of the scandal. We look at government plans to quash convictions, and analyse the role of Horizon IT supplier Fujitsu in how the Post Office scandal developed. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Top 10 retail technology stories of 2023

Computer Weekly looks at what 2023 had in store for the retail industry – a year of financial uncertainty and increasing cost of living has made consumers ever more demanding, so how are retailers using tech to cope? Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Top 10 financial services and fintech stories of 2023

Generative AI is the buzzword on every financial services IT professional’s lips as the technology promises to accelerate the ongoing fintech revolution Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Orange Business boosts digital ambitions with Expertime acquisition

Acquisition of consulting company by business services division of global telco becomes latest part of strategic ambition to accelerate growth in digital services and support growth in digital, public cloud, AI and data Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

e-commerce

E-commerce (electronic commerce) is the buying and selling of goods and services, or the transmitting of funds or data, over an electronic network, primarily the internet. Continue Reading

By

• Cameron Hashemi-Pour, Former Site Editor
• Ben Lutkevich, Site Editor

Currys data strategy takes major step forward with launch of Connected Media

Data is the foundation for the future success of the new Currys retail media platform, as the tech retailer’s CDO explains Continue Reading

By

• Ben Sillitoe

CIO interview: Sasha Jory, Hastings Direct

For a company aiming to be the biggest digital insurer in the UK, that means going cloud-first, and focusing on innovation for both customers and employees Continue Reading

By

• Mark Samuels

Cyber and remote working: How Covid moved the cursor

Remote working has enabled people to work from almost anywhere but has piled pressure on cyber pros. Three years after Covid, how are best practices evolving and what can we expect going forward? Continue Reading

By

• Lionel Garacotche

Government’s Online Fraud Charter welcomed

The government has corralled 11 of the largest tech platforms in the world to commit to its Online Fraud Charter, designed to tackle online scams, fake adverts, and more Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Cancer Research UK uses AWS for payments and trial search function

Charity Cancer Research UK has been using AWS to make its donations platform more scalable, as well as making it easier for patients to find clinical trials Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

BlackCat affiliate seen using malvertising to spread ransomware

Researchers at eSentire identified a wave activity from an ALPHV/BlackCat ransomware affiliate which has adopted a somewhat unusual approach to delivering its locker Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Where tech can smooth out the retail returns process

New tech from supply chain companies, M&A activity among logistics firms, and H&M’s new fees show product returns is the retail industry debate that keeps coming back Continue Reading

By

• Ben Sillitoe

Million Brits could lose access to bank branch if closure rate continues

Even people in urban constituencies could lose access to a local bank branch, according to research Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

NCSC makes annual Black Friday plea to consumers

Ahead of the annual festival of retail avarice, the NCSC is once again asking consumers to do the bare minimum to avoid falling victim to scams Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Over a quarter of UK adults use buy now, pay later fintechs

Latest research from UK financial services regulator shows BNPL more likely to be used by people experiencing financial difficulty Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Retailers and customers alike open to AI, but calls for caution

Retail-related studies into AI’s influence suggest its capabilities are welcome by the sector and shoppers alike – but tech leaders advise treading cautiously Continue Reading

By

• Ben Sillitoe

Insights from launching a developer-led bank

A software developer's approach to building a bank in the digital age. Continue Reading

By

• David Jarvis

The most important law you’ve never heard of - the Electronic Trade Documents Act

The UK's Electronic Trade Documents Act has come into force, and it promises to make international trading easier, cheaper, faster and greener - but only if companies and government adopt its measures Continue Reading

By

• Lord Chris Holmes, House of Lords

Ending the online fraud epidemic

A different approach to managing personal data across the web is possible - and it could minimise online fraud, boost e-commerce, and help make the web more secure. So why isn't the government doing it? Continue Reading

By

• Jon Nash, Demos

Number of UK contactless payments rose by 30% last year

UK consumers are increasingly making contactless payments, with the number of payments using the technology up 30% last year Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

European fintech investment plummets, but more sustainable future lies ahead

Investment in European fintechs has seen a dramatic drop, but a more sustainable sector will result from investment discipline Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Hyundai to launch in-car payments in US

Hyundai will launch an in-car payments service in the US when the company’s latest car model is launched next year Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Ducktail social media marketing malware rears its head again

Use of the Ducktail infostealer, which first popped up in 2022 targeting Meta Business accounts, seems to be increasing Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

July sees huge jump in open banking payments

The number of open banking payments in the UK have doubled over the past year, according to latest figures Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Innovative UK SMEs spend half of turnover on tech

UK SMEs are increasing spending on technology, with dedicated IT teams set up to enable them to keep pace with tech change Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Rise in fraudsters spoofing the websites of leading UK banks

Despite safeguards to protect customers from scams, UK retail banks are still seeing high volumes of fake phishing websites exploiting their brands, and the problem seems to be increasing in scope and scale Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Online Safety Bill screening measures amount to ‘prior restraint’

The Open Rights Group is calling on Parliament to reform the Online Safety Bill, on the basis that its content-screening measures would amount to “prior restraint” on freedom of expression Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

11 social commerce statistics for 2023

As consumers spend an increasing amount of time on social media, it's important for brands to meet them where they are and integrate social commerce into marketing strategies. Continue Reading

By

• Griffin LaFleur, Swing Education

Ofcom’s online safety preparedness efforts hobbled by government

Despite Ofcom’s progress so far, UK government changes to the scope and timetable of the Online Safety Bill are hobbling the ability of the regulator to successfully prepare for the new regime Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

‘Political lethargy’ to blame for digital exclusion, says Lords

A House of Lords report about digital exclusion across the UK has blamed slow and undedicated government intervention for the extent of digital exclusion Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Retail tech transformation: Winning boardroom hearts and minds

Retail tech leaders from Sweaty Betty and Selfridges discuss levers to pull and tactics to adopt when influencing the boardroom on transformation projects Continue Reading

By

• Ben Sillitoe

Interview: Paul Cooper, director of technology operations, River Island

Retailer River Island has had a recent in-store technology overhaul, making it easier for shop staff to cater to customers Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Prime minister Rishi Sunak faces pressure from banks to force tech firms to pay for online fraud

The UK’s major banks have told the prime minister to force tech firms to do more to prevent fraud that the banks end up paying for Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Collaboration in finance sector develops prototype API for digital currency

The Bank for International Settlements and the Bank of England worked with private sector on central bank digital currency experiment Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

TSB calls on Meta to intervene and protect users from fraud losses of £250m this year

TSB is the latest bank to demand more action from social media sector in helping to reduce online fraud Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Banks still investing heavily in legacy payments systems

Banks are missing out on additional revenues through payment services because they are stuck with inflexible legacy payments systems. Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Delivery charges and slow payments have customers abandoning baskets

Customer expectation has been on the rise, both on and offline, and no-code automation firm Primer finds there are several reasons why consumers are choosing not to checkout Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Open banking regulator sets out next steps

Plans for ongoing evolution of the UK open banking sector have been set out by regulator in bid to grow the open banking sector in a ‘safe, scalable and economically sustainable way’ Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Lloyds Bank calls on tech companies to control social media ‘wild west’

Lloyds Banking Group is calling on tech giants to step forward in the fight against online fraud, which emanates in the social media ‘wild west’ Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Digital channels thriving for M&S but profits down

Many of M&S’s digital offerings have gained more users over the past year, but after a long programme of transformation, profits are still smaller this year than last Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Microsoft and Google go into battle for enterprise AI

In this week’s Computer Weekly, as developments in generative AI accelerate, Microsoft and Google have each unveiled their plans around enterprise applications. Nobody doubts the importance of digital transformation – but experts say it won’t work without cultural change as well. And we examine the emerging practice of FinOps as part of cloud automation projects. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Online sales suffer as consumers hit shops for bargains

While overall shopping figures saw year-on-year growth in April 2023, online sales took a hit as shoppers look for cheaper goods in stores Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Open banking use to increase 470% in next four years, driven from Europe

Europe is leading the surge in the take-up of API-based open banking services, according to Juniper Research Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Age UK calls for physical banking hubs as older people demand face-to-face banking

UK charity calls for banks and government to speed up the introduction of physical banking hubs as research reveals millions of older people don’t bank online Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Researchers see surge in scam websites linked to coronation

Scammers and fraudsters continue to take advantage of large public events, with the coronation of King Charles III no exception Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

The role of AI as an everyday life assistant

We speak to the co-author of a book that explores the idea of artificial intelligence-powered automation that enables machines to become customers Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Online makes up 25% of retail sales three months in row

The percentage of all retail sales made online remains steady at around a quarter this year, though cost of living is affecting customer behaviour Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor