The pandemic is accelerating automation, through forcing workers to isolate. Automation technology is being used to process some government business loans that were launched after the crisis.
Source: https://fortune.com/2020/08/11/the-pandemic-is-speeding-up-automation-putting-jobs-in-question/
IKEA India is looking to boost sustainability and cut prices in India through using local wood, including bamboo and Sheesham (also known as Indian Rosewood), instead of importing wood from Europe.
Source: https://www.retailnews.asia/ikea-proposes-one-third-price-cut-by-boosting-local-sourcing/
Having seen sales fall over the lockdown period, Pret has launched a monthly coffee subscription service to try and attract customers back to quiet stores.