Artificial Intelligence

By Mark Ledbetter, Global VP Retail Strategy, SAP

The changing nature of retail combined with an ever-greater reliance on data is forcing retailers to adjust their workforce and employee skill sets accordingly. From a customer experience standpoint, most retailers are transitioning to a brick-and-click model that aims to ensure customers have a seamless shopping experience regardless of which channel they use.

New York -- As technology transforms multichannel retail into hyper-channel, “always-on” retailing, chains must emotionally connect with consumers as never before, according to Joseph Bona. Bona, president of branded environments for New York City-based brand agency/retail design firm CBX, is one of the featured speakers at Chain Store Age’s upcoming 50th annual SPECS conference,  March 9 -12, Grapevine, Texas.

Over this year, four key trends will propel the industry down the path to more efficient payments.

Sport Chek has opened a digitally savvy flagship in the largest shopping mall in North America: West Edmonton Mall, Edmonton, Alberta (Canada). The sporting goods retailer has woven interactive technology and digital installations throughout the 80,000-sq.-ft., two-level space, which is designed to offer an enhanced, personalized shopping experience that connects consumers to the sports they are passionate about.

Cape Town, South Africa -- South African retailer Woolworths has implemented MetricStream's Sustainability Performance Management Solution to capture and measure sustainability metrics and indicators around energy, water, soil, and waste management. The solution will also help Woolworths monitor supplier compliance with sustainability guidelines, and optimize the performance of the company's sustainability projects and initiatives.

Cincinnati - Intelligrated is introducing fulfillment execution systems, a new software model from its subsidiary company, Knighted Fulfillment execution systems optimize fulfillment in real time.

Atlanta – Accellos is releasing AccellosOne Warehouse Management System (WMS) version 6.5, which is built on Accellos’ unifying technology platform, the AccellosOne Platform version 3.0. This cloud-ready WMS features an all-new configuration mechanism that leverages Microsoft’s Workflow Foundation, enabling partners and customers to analyze and modify business processes without writing code or using proprietary scripting languages.

By Jeff Weidauer, VP of Marketing and Strategy, Vestcom International

Webster defines technology as “the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry.” Put another way, technology is the use of knowledge that solves problems in a practical manner. It’s important to understand that, because when it comes to the concept of retail technology, history shows that too often the solution becomes a hammer looking for a nail.

New York - Verizon Enterprise Solutions has opened the Verizon Cyber Intelligence Center (VCIC). The new center will offer advanced detection and response capabilities to better manage and mitigate cyber attacks.

Verizon Enterprise Solutions has opened the Verizon Cyber Intelligence Center (VCIC). The new center will offer advanced detection and response capabilities to better manage and mitigate cyber attacks.