Executive Summary

• This week’s note “From the Desk of Deborah Weinswig” discusses the WWD Apparel & Retail CEO Summit held in New York this week, and highlights the key themes covered by presenters and panelists at the event.
• With “see now, buy now” gaining momentum in the fashion industry, fast-fashion retailers could stand to lose, even though they operate at different price points. The trend could cause other factors—such as strong and relevant product offerings, improved service options, e-commerce options and increased sales productivity—to play a bigger role in retailers’ success.
• German discounter Lidl is expected to trial click-and-collect service for fresh and frozen products in Hamburg beginning in December this year. Lidl’s parent company, Schwarz Group, is reported to be investing “a three-digit million figure” to improve its global online presence.
• British grocer Tesco has launched a trial at two stores in Essex for a new technology called Tap&Tag, which replaces paper receipts with digital ones when a customer completes a purchase. To use the technology, customers simply need to tap a contactless card or NFC-enabled phone on the Tap&Tag console to pay, and a digital receipt will then be sent to them.