Data & Analytics

Retail facilities are making the shift to LEDs, a more efficient, brighter and longer-lasting lighting option that saves energy and reduces operating costs. Its rapid return on interest makes LED retrofitting a smart, simple fix.

But what if LED lighting installations could also increase and guide purchasing decisions? What if thoughtful placement and controlled lighting could make customers feel more comfortable and safe, and make employees more productive?

While mobile payments are increasing, cash receipts still remain a healthy percentage of total sales and aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Fifth Third Bank’s John Bultema discusses the proper management of cash in retail stores and solutions aimed at improving store efficiency and reducing costs.

What is the current status of cash handling in retail stores? Are cash receipts in stores on the decline?

Imagine you are the general counsel at a retailer involved in sensitive M&A discussions. You receive an email from one of the deal’s outside advisers. He says he needs some information about your company the kind you’ve passed on before. You send it along, and later find that you were victimized in a sophisticated cyber attack aimed at stealing sensitive information.

Retail cloud technology deployments have been getting a lot of attention lately. However, the most publicized retail uses of cloud technology tend to be flashy, front-end implementations. For example, cloud platforms are frequently deployed to support the seamless customer experience that underpins omnichannel retail strategies. But the cloud is not just suited to running customer-facing systems. Cloud technology can also serve as an ideal platform for back-end systems and functions, such as workforce management.

The need for technology innovation in retail has never been greater, and the proper assets and expertise are not always available in-house.

Every day, it seems there is news of another large retailer opening a tech innovation center, launching a new engagement channel or otherwise making its mark as an IT innovator. But while the big guys get all the attention, a lot of smaller retailers are also doing some very interesting and innovative things with technology. Read on for three recent examples of small retailers launching large initiatives in technology innovation.

Poler Outdoor Stuff activates Instagram indoors

Target Corp. has long been an innovator in retail marketing and merchandising. But its latest efforts to think outside the box are taking it even further afield.

Taking the reins of Toys “R” Us in July 2015, new CEO and chairman David Brandon recognized one of the biggest challenges he faced would be inspiring others to execute his vision of what the company could be. The retailer had gone through a decade of leadership changes, and Brandon was well aware that frequent executive changes, strategic shifts and cost-cutting can cause stress and a lack of trust.

So many new stores, so little space. Here are my top faves of the year:

Retailers who develop their e-commerce environments for mobile phone users appear to be on the right track.

According to the new Q3 Shopping Index from e-commerce platform provider Demandware Inc., tablets now account for only 11% of digital commerce traffic, down 22% from its peak of near 15% in the first quarter of 2014.
Meanwhile, mobile phones account for 41% of digital commerce traffic. Desktops still lead with 48% of traffic, but the only platform showing traffic growth is mobile phone.