Innovation in the UK Retail Sector - Nesta

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Innovation in the UK Retail Sector the sector was responding with purpose and conviction to any integrating efforts would be an important demonstration of commitment. 8.11 Some of the most significant informational initiatives in relation to innovation are the Knowledge Transfer Networks (KTNs)). The 22 UK Knowledge Transfer Networks currently in existence are the main plank of the Government’s investment in technology transfer and knowledge exchange between industry and the science base. The first KTNs, funded by the Government, Regional Development Agencies and the Research Councils, were established in 2005 and the number continues to grow. The opportunity of creating a Retail KTN has been explored on a number of occasions, but has not been taken up by the sector. However, Quotec identified 14 existing KTNs with “skills and expertise of relevance to the retail sector” within five specific areas: • Innovation in retail products • Technology to improve the manufacture, marketing & sale of retail products • Sustainability, efficient use of resources and the reduction of waste; • Retail logistics, transport and security and • Health & safety (Quotec, 2007). Table 8.1 summarises the 14 KTNs and their particular points of relevance. Table 8.1. KTN relevance to retail sector KTN Product Innovation Improved manufactur ing, marketing & sales Sustainable use of resources Resource Efficiency � Logistics, transport & security Health & safety Electronic-Enabled Products � � � Bioscience for Business � � � Food Processing � � � � Industrial Mathematics � � Sensors � � � � Industrial Pollution Management � Grid Computing Now! � � Materials � � � � Location & Timing � � UK Displays and Lighting � � � � � Low Carbon & Fuel Cell Technologies � � Modern Built Environment � � Health Technology � Source: Knee, 2007; www.ktnetworks.co.uk Page 58
Innovation in the UK Retail Sector 8.12 It is important to recognise that KTNs are essentially technology-focused networks grounded in the UK science & R&D base and may be less appropriate vehicles for stimulating the kind of wider innovation sought by retail firms. However, of the 14 KTNs to have pointed to the relevance of their activities to retailing, few have been able to generate direct contacts within the sector. For example, companies and academics within the Displays and Lighting KTN are developing the new technology platform of Plastic Electronics which has widespread implications for retail processes. But they have yet to engage with significant end-users from the sector. Some KTNs have reported difficulty reaching the most appropriate individuals within retail firms; retailer attendance at relevant events has been relatively poor and only a small number of individual retailers have fielded speakers at KTN conferences. However, retailers have worked on a limited number of specific issues with certain KTNs in the past, some, but not all, of which have been technology-focused. For example: • Project E-Flex (Electronics-Enabled Products KTN) explored the efficiency of home delivery, including vehicle, software and refrigeration design, in which the John Lewis Partnership participated. • Project NAPSTER (Industrial Mathematics KTN) examined the effect of weather upon operations, using data from Marks & Spencer. • Smart Textiles (Materials KTN) working with an unspecified ‘range of leading retailers’ to support their introduction of smart textiles and nanotechnology. • Electronic shelf edge labels (Displays & Lighting KTN) the former ‘in volume trial at a number of major store locations’. KTN activities in respect of innovation in sustainability are dealt with separately below. 8.13 Identifying specific application areas (often technological) where there are common concerns has led to effective action which generates real business benefits to retailers. For example, an event run by BERR with BRC - by retailers for retailers, followed by the setting up of the RFID Business Benefits Action Group is an example of where government can work effectively with the retail sector on a technology issue. Page 59
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Report for NESTA December 2007 Inno
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Contents Innovation in the UK Retai
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Innovation in the UK Retail Sector
Page 7 and 8: Innovation in the UK Retail Sector
Page 9 and 10: 2. The nature and contribution of r
Page 23 and 24: v. Retailers’ reverse innovation
Page 41 and 42: Vignette 5.3: Currys customer recyc
Page 43 and 44: 6. What are the barriers to retail
Page 47 and 48: 7. What are the measures of retail
Page 49 and 50: . Types of Measures Innovation in t
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Page 65 and 66: . Promoting innovation in sustainab
Page 69 and 70: Conclusion/Next Steps: Innovation i
Page 73 and 74: Recommendation 4: Innovation in the
Page 77 and 78: Appendix 1 Research Methodology 350
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