UK Companies' Physical Footprint Vanishes in 2019, Revealed by New Report

What the UK Is Really Saying About Digital Future

Today Nimbus Ninety rolled out its Annual Digital Trends Report, giving a clear picture of how businesses across the UK are planning to meet the tech tide in 2019. Long‑haul companies are packing their shelves with automation, while the cozy world of SMEs is buzzing about how to keep customers glued to their digital touchpoints.

Fast‑Forward: The New Playbook for Customer Access

Only 33 % of businesses still count on physical shops as a way to connect with shoppers.
Chatbots lead the pack at 51 %, followed by voice assistants at 48 %, and augmented reality takes a modest 32 %.
These new digital channels are reshaping how people interact with brands — and they’re here to stay.

Where the Money Is Going

The forecast forecast is clear: more funds are heading into digital. 70 % of firms are planning to boost their digital budgets this year, up from 67 % last year and 54 % the year before. Big data analytics sits at the top of these investments with 45 % preferring to crunch numbers, while artificial intelligence is catching fire as the next disruptive wave.

Different Ropes, Same Destination

Large giants focus on making operations leaner — 85 % see operational efficiency as their number one priority. In contrast, medium and small players matter most where the customer experience stands out: another 85 % highlight engagement as their strategy’s heart.

Key Takeaways

Customers love intuitive experiences (27 %) and personalised products (25 %). Yet businesses still lag on personalisation.
Data insights are now the biggest worry among businesses. 45 % feel uneasy about data handling, whereas only 19 % fret about Brexit.
Talent gaps are real: 63 % think they’re not getting the right skillsets, but only a 20 % score staff training as a critical mission.

Emma Taylor’s Take

“The digital arena is on a rollercoaster, yet we’re still finding the gain training,” says Emma Taylor, founder and MD of Nimbus Ninety. She added: “Data management is the new Brexit— your biggest challenge and the biggest payoff. The UK’s future is already typing in binary.”

Behind the Curtain

The study spanned from November 2018, surveying 279 decision makers across a spectrum of sectors during the Chief Disruptor LIVE gala in London. Over 450 C‑suite leaders threw in their two cents on how tech is changing the game.