Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
When it comes to technology, retailers are increasingly saying they plan to spend money on wireless networking, point-of-sale software, Wi-Fi, mobile POS devices, digital signage and other tech options.
The information comes from Innovative Retail Technologies, which conducts an annual study asking a sample of 500 retail executives about their tech spending plans for the coming year.
Retailers’ tech spending is spreading across multiple channels with a variety of goals, such as convenient in-store shopping experiences for customers, more secure payment card transactions and, for employees, streamlined digital systems for security, inventory management and data storage, according to Innovative Retail Technologies.
The report outlines omnichannel opportunities that proactive retailers are pursing. For example, more than half of respondents to the survey note that their company is moving data and applications to the cloud.
Applied to Retail: The study shows that Wi-Fi and in-store networks are top initiatives this year, but don’t forget that the focus is on an integrated customer experience. Consider adding Wi-Fi to your store to encourage customers to price shop online and see that your store has competitive pricing.
Find ways to use technology and data to streamline customers’ in-store interactions. The technology you use behind the scenes can improve those shoppers’ experiences, as well, by improving efficiency and making information more accessible to your employees.
