Retail businesses play a key economic role in the UK. The 452,060 firms in the sector employ 3.6 million people, generating £517 billion in sales. In total, they account for an estimated 4.7% of the UK’s total economic output.
Yet the sector is under increasing pressure from rising operational costs, higher National Insurance contributions, declining consumer spending, and reduced in store footfall. These challenges are forcing retailers to rethink how they operate, modernise, and maintain resilience in an uncertain economic climate.
Ericsson’s latest research among retail technology decision makers reveals that while many organisations are eager to adopt emerging technologies, outdated and inconsistent connectivity, particularly beyond flagship stores, is limiting progress. Poor network performance is not only impacting customer experience but also affecting operational continuity, sales performance, and service standards.
In this report, we explore some of the leading areas where cellular connectivity can help take retailers’ services and operations to the next level and what they should be looking for in a provider.
