Traxlo brings pay-per-task gig labour model to UK

Traxlo, a gig worker platform that uses pay-per-task pricing for store operations, has launched in the UK and is targeting grocery retailers and commerce groups.

The company said it already works with 60% of Europe's largest grocery and commerce players, including Carrefour. Traxlo said it has delivered more than 300,000 tasks across European markets.

Traxlo positions its service as a way for retailers to add labour flexibility without moving to hourly staffing models for short-term work. It prices tasks upfront and assigns local workers through a mobile app.

Pay-per-task model

Traxlo's model centres on paying for outcomes rather than time. Retailers set a price per task in advance and offer the work through Traxlo. The company said typical task prices range from £3 to £50.

Traxlo lists common assignments as shelf replenishment, gap scanning, pallet handling, inventory control, product expiry management and online order picking. The company said stores can offer multiple tasks in a single outlet on the same day.

Retailers can use the service at head office level or store level, according to Traxlo. The company said it provides assistance and guidance on setting task prices.

Traxlo distributes tasks through its gig worker app, tasku.app. Workers can view tasks locally and select work that matches their qualifications.

Retail pressures

The UK grocery sector has faced staffing constraints alongside rising costs. Traxlo linked its UK expansion to labour market pressures and the availability of workers for short-notice shifts.

In the European Union, digital labour platforms have become a larger part of the workforce mix across several sectors. The company cited estimates from the European Parliament that 43 million Europeans are expected to work for digital labour platforms by 2025.

Traxlo also pointed to the UK's post-Brexit labour environment as a factor for retailers when they assess staffing and availability in stores and warehouses.

"Brexit is just one challenge for the UK. There are plenty of reports and statistics about declining retail staff morale, a worsening labour market and the impact of higher wage costs and tax increases. Having tested and refined our model in Europe for the last few years, we are now in exactly the right position to empower UK retailers to manage a flexible, specialised, trained human resource on a pay per task basis. This model brings with it a time and cost reduction but also enables internal staff to focus on core, high-value tasks and improves a store's local community engagement as it becomes recognised as both a place to earn as well as spend," said Paul Vezelis, CEO and Co-founder, Traxlo.

Quality control

Traxlo said it manages quality control for tasks delivered through the platform. The company said it carries out legal right-to-work checks and provides task training.

Traxlo said the gig workers remain its responsibility rather than the retailer's. It framed that approach as a way for retailers to use short-term labour without taking on additional administration.

The company said it targets both in-store and warehouse requirements. It also said the service can cover gaps created by peak demand, sickness and skills shortages.

Company background

Traxlo was founded in 2020 in Stockholm. It is headquartered in Vilnius and operates in Poland and Romania alongside the UK launch.

The company said it has 11 employees and more than 30,000 gig workers registered on its platform. It named clients including Carrefour, REWE Group, RIMI and Żabka.

Traxlo said it graduated from Antler's startup accelerator in Sweden in 2020. The company said it has raised more than €2.7m in venture capital investment from backers including Antler, Iron Wolf Capital, Coinvest Capital, Bad Ideas Fund, Plug and Play and NGL.

Traxlo said it will offer UK retailers the same task-based labour model it has used in European markets.