Store Systems

The NRF annual “Big Show” conference is always marked by a few key technology trends. While the event has been known to throw a few unexpected surprises at attendees, usually it confirms and advances the direction industry momentum has been traveling.

Here are three major themes that will likely be prominently featured and discussed at this year’s NRF conference, which runs January 17 - 20, at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City.

‘Omnichannel’ Comes of Age

Concord, California-based specialty beverage retailer BevMo is ensuring customers have easy access to products, whether they are in one of its 157 stores or online.

Sally Beauty Supply is applying analytics to the literal consumer touchpoint where revenues are made -- the point of sale.

Sally Beauty is teaming up with prescriptive analytics provider Profitect Inc. to analyze sales and other data recorded at its in-store POS terminals. After a two-week implementation, Sally Beauty now has better insight into trends and patterns associated with areas of leaking profit, including shrink, damage, costing errors, waste, process mistakes, and lack of training.

Winter Garden, Fla. -- The Sembler Company has completed construction on the final outparcel at the 1.15 million sq. ft. Winter Garden Village located in Winter Garden, Florida.

Pei Wei Asian Diner and Mattress One will occupy the new 7,200-sq. ft. building, marking complete build-out of the development originally started in 2006.

Sundance is gearing up for retail expansion with a new prototype that speaks to its Western roots and brand heritage.

Costco hopes to sell more high-definition televisions and merchandise in clubs after going live with its revamped Costco TV Network.

The warehouse club leader deployed 4K technology to its existing in-warehouse TV network in a move designed to boost sales of televisions and help brands who use the network’s promotional capabilities better connect with shoppers. Powered by PRN, a division of Stratacache and longtime Costco partner, the TV network is in all 487 of the retailer’s U.S. clubs.

Costco hopes to sell more high-definition televisions and merchandise in clubs after going live with its revamped Costco TV Network.

The warehouse club leader deployed 4K technology to its existing in-warehouse TV network in a move designed to boost sales of televisions and help brands who use the network’s promotional capabilities better connect with shoppers. Powered by PRN, a division of Stratacache and longtime Costco partner, the TV network is in all 487 of the retailer’s U.S. clubs.

Retailers still working on compliance with the EMV chip-based card payment standard have a new technology option.

Verifone is partnering with Microsoft to provide comprehensive EMV-ready payment as a service solutions certified for Microsoft Dynamics AX for retail and commerce solutions.

The offering bundles payment hardware, software and support services into a single integrated solution, enabling retailers to centrally manage their entire payment system.