Executive Summary

• This week’s note “From the Desk of Deborah Weinswig” offers thoughts on voice technology, artificial intelligence and drones in retail, including comments from the recent R:Evolution 4.0 retail and consumer conference in London.
• Despite the furious pace of store closures and bankruptcies in the US, many indicators suggest that retail employment is unlikely to shrivel and that the US economy can withstand shocks from the sector’s rout.
• The UK Intellectual Property Office has approved Amazon’s application to trademark the slogans “No Lines. No Checkout. (No, Seriously.)” and “No Queue. No Checkout. (No, Seriously.)” The approval signals that a move by Amazon into the European grocery market may be imminent.
• German discounter Lidl this week launched its own web shop in China on Alibaba’s online platform, Tmall Global. The site will offer a number of Lidl’s private labels, shipped from Germany.