More than half of UK retailers believe their existing fulfilment infrastructure is preventing them from meeting customer demands and limiting business growth, according to new research from automation and robotics company Inteq (formerly Invar Group).
Based on a survey report titled Fit for Growth of directors and senior leaders across the retail and e-commerce sectors, the findings highlight increasing concern that outdated systems are no longer fit for purpose in an industry under constant pressure to deliver quickly and efficiently.
A majority of respondents (58%) said their current systems were holding them back, while 56% reported that logistical shortcomings were directly affecting their ability to grow.
Nearly nine in ten (88%) agreed that robotics and automation would help them better manage peak periods and meet surging customer expectations.
Despite strong support for automation, technical hurdles remain. Selecting the right technology partner was identified as critical to success, with maintenance complexity (34%) and integration challenges (32%) cited as the biggest barriers to implementation.
However, early adopters appear to be reaping the rewards. Nearly seven in ten (69%) retailers reported realising the benefits of automation in under a year.
Among the most commonly observed improvements were increased operational efficiency (41%), greater scalability (28%), and enhanced accuracy (26%).
Scott Merrick, Managing Director at Inteq, said: “Retailers clearly understand the value that robotics and automation can bring to their operations – from improved efficiency and flexibility to increased accuracy.”
Achievements and innovations in retail and e-commerce, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, automotive, transport & logistics, and more will be celebrated at the Robotics & Automation Awards on 29 October 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.roboticsandautomationawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s robotics and automation sectors!
