From retailers collaborating to stamp out shoplifting with the launch of a national retail crime database to Southern Co-op adding gamification to its loyalty offering and Debenhams deploying wallet-based payments, what’s been making waves in retail this week?

Lidl launches self-scan within Lidl Plus loyalty app

Lidl has launched a new self-scanning feature within its loyalty app, Lidl Plus, which will be trialled in four stores in September before a 2026 phased roll-out.

The integration allows customers to scan products, track spending and see savings in real-time within Lidl Plus. Once customers have completed their shop, they can then pay, quickly and conveniently, at Lidl‘s self-checkout terminals.

“This marks a significant leap forward in our digital evolution. Integrated into Lidl Plus, it’s designed to offer customers a smarter, faster, and more flexible way to shop,” Ryan McDonnell, CEO of Lidl GB, said.

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National retail crime database aims to stamp out shoplifting

Serial shoplifters face being banned from stores as major UK retailers collaborate to stamp out theft, sharing intelligence about repeat offenders on a shared national database, powered by loss prevention platform, Auror.

Leading retailers, including M&S, Boots, Morrisons and Greggs, will share images, CCTV footage and details of offenders on the national database, which security staff can use to refuse store entry to known shoplifters. It will also allow police to gather greater intelligence for case evidence.

Currys became the latest retailer to roll out the crime reporting tool across all its UK&I stores earlier this week. The move follows a 12-week trial, which the retailer conducted across two regions. The pilot helped identify 10 repeat offenders, resulting in 3 arrests, whilst preventing stock losses equating to £20k worth of product.

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Heatwave bolsters online orders, but leaves footfall faltering

UK and European ecommerce order volumes increased by +18% in Q2, according delivery management platform, Scurri.

Data from Scurri Unpacked, its index based on insight from 200million+ annual shipments, showed June was a standout month, with heatwave temperatures combined with Father’s Day gifting prompting a +25% spike in sales compared to last year.

It was a different story on the High Street, with BRC-Sensormatic data showing UK retail footfall dropped -1.8% year-on-year in June as soaring temperatures cooled shopper traffic to stores.

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Turning refunds into revenue: Loop’s John-David Klausner on rethinking returns

For ecommerce retailers, returns are unavoidable. Yet too often, exchanges are viewed as a cost centre, a logistical headache or a source of lost sales – or all three. But is it time to starting to see returns through a different lens, asks Loop‘s John-David Klausner?

In our latest guest post, he explores:
🤔 Why returns are at an all time high
🧠 The psychology behind exchanges
⏪ How UK brands like Oh Polly and hylo athletics are rethinking returns
💰 Returns strategies that drive revenue
💞 Turning exchanges from loss to loyalty

Read the full article here: Guest Post | Turning refunds into revenue: Loop’s John-David Klausner on rethinking returns.

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Southern Co-op taps Lobyco for new loyalty app

Southern Co-op will partner with Lobyco to launch and enhance its existing membership loyalty proposition with a new app.

The new loyalty proposition aims to simplify rewards, enhance customer engagement with gamification features as well as delivering improved value for shoppers via dynamic promotions.

Seeking to enhance customer experience, the new membership app will “combine innovative features with meaningful rewards”, offering shoppers more personalised and interactive ways to shop, earn points and access exclusive offers.

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Tradebyte launches of TB.360 Pro to power marketplace performance

Tradebyte has upgraded its analytics suite with the launch of TB.360 Pro, enabling retailers to power marketplace performance with greater control and insight-led decision-making.

With next generation analytics, TB.360 Pro maximises visibility into marketplaces insights to enhance performance across brands’ sales channels.

Offering greater visibility into cross-channel orders, categories, SKUs and countries, the solution’s insights help brands identify bestsellers as well as high-returning items to optimise their product mix.

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Debenhams links with Mangopay for wallet-based payments to power marketplace growth

Debenhams Group has selected Mangopay’s wallet infrastructure to handle payments and power the next phase of its marketplace growth in a multi-year partnership deal.

The integration with Mangopay will enable Debenhams to simplify multi-seller pay-outs, enhancing payment handling operations to drive efficiency and growth.

“As an online business, we’re constantly evolving to meet the needs of modern retail, from how customers shop to how sellers transact,” Dan Finley, CEO of Debenhams Group said. 

The partnership will enhance how Debenhams manages multi-seller payments across the 15,000+ premium brands that sell on its marketplace. Enabling real-time fund distribution via wallet-based infrastructure, it also affords the fashion retailer automated payment reconciliation and invoicing.