Avast (LSE:AVST), the digital security and privacy products provider, has found that almost 40% of small business employees think that a staff member who unknowingly clicks a malicious link would be held personally responsible for a data breach, which could be encouraging employees to keep quiet rather than flagging a potential threat.
Retail Critical Issues
These Critical issue articles relate to strategy, legislation, technology, best practice and some of the most challenging business topics in the world of retail information technology. The articles in this section have been contributed by leading vendors, industry leaders, research analysts, trade associations and consultancies. This collection of articles cover a variety of topics relating to IT equipment, hardware & software being used in a wide variety of retail and retail supply chain environments across Europe. They look at market trends, improvements in technology and some thought provoking comment on all aspects of optimising and improving efficiencies in store and across retail supply chains.
’Tis the season for confusion: marketers are unprepared for the disruption caused as consumer shopping behaviour is upended
Dec 16, 2020
Seismic shifts in consumer shopping behaviour are happening in the run up to the festive period, according to new research from BlueVenn.
COVID sparks massive shift towards sustainable Christmas shopping
Dec 16, 2020
The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a surge in interest in sustainability with almost a fifth (19%) of people in the UK planning to buy more sustainable Christmas gifts this year compared to last, according to research by the Fashion Retail Academy¹.
Report: UK shoppers fear e-commerce environmental impact
Dec 16, 2020
More than half (57%) of UK online shoppers worry that the rise in online shopping is a threat for the environment, a new report has found.
Manufacturing & Logistics IT December Reference Annual 2020
Dec 16, 2020
Welcome to the December 2020 edition of Manufacturing & Logistics IT. In this edition we feature a Special Technology Report looking in depth at the latest developments in the world of Printing & Labelling technology.
Also included is our 2020 Special Report round-up, featuring reports on Transportation Management and AIDC/Mobile Computing.
Brother UK report: channel set to play key role in supporting to food retailers to meet new food safety regulations
Dec 14, 2020
Channel resellers are set to play a key role in supporting food retailers in meeting the upcoming Natasha’s Law food safety guidelines, according to a new report by business technology solutions provider Brother UK.
eCommerce sites optimised for Black Friday increased revenue by 330%, says Kooomo
Dec 09, 2020
With lockdown restrictions driving an increase in web traffic, retailers who optimised their eCommerce stores for Black Friday secured a 330% increase in average monthly revenue this year.
Death of the high street – How technology can help its revival
Dec 09, 2020
By Tomas Jansons, Development Manager, Jansons.
For several years, there has been a very evident and well-publicised demise of local high streets as they struggle to compete with the ease and efficiency of online shopping.
Shoppers bag toys early this Christmas in the UK, driving November sales up 11% year-on-year
Dec 09, 2020
In 2020 Brits of all ages turned to toys to help occupy the long weeks of lockdown. From entertainment to education, crafting to creating, to simply playing outside, the sector has proved its worth during the COVID-19 restrictions.
The data dilemma - how can retailers avoid losing customer data to commence giants like Amazon
Dec 08, 2020
By Sam Counterman, Director of Marketing, Northern Europe & Global Digital Lead at Selligent.
As the landscape continues to shift, and Amazon profits continue to rise (with a 37% increase reported in its recent third quarter results) it’s never been more important for retailers to assess their Amazon strategy.
Critical issues:
The retail industry is facing a number of critical issues including:
- The rise of e-commerce: Online shopping has been growing rapidly in recent years, and it is now a major threat to traditional brick-and-mortar retailers. Online shopping has been growing steadily for years, and the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated this trend. As a result, many brick-and-mortar retailers are struggling to compete.
- The need for omnichannel customer experience: In order to compete with e-commerce retailers, traditional brick-and-mortar stores need to offer a seamless omnichannel customer experience. This means that customers should be able to shop online, in-store, or through a combination of both channels, and have a consistent experience regardless of how they choose to shop.
- The need for data-driven decision making: Retailers need to use data to make better decisions about everything from product assortment to pricing to marketing. This means collecting and analyzing data from a variety of sources, including customer transactions, website traffic, and social media activity.
- The need for a strong workforce: The retail industry is facing a labor shortage, as many retailers are struggling to attract and retain qualified workers. This is a major challenge, as a strong workforce is essential for providing excellent customer service and meeting the demands of the ever-changing retail landscape.
- The need to stay ahead of the competition: The retail industry is constantly evolving, and retailers need to be able to adapt quickly to new trends and technologies. This means being open to change and being willing to invest in new initiatives.
In addition to the challenges mentioned above, the retail industry is also facing a number of other threats, including:
- Cybersecurity threats: The retail industry is a major target for cyberattacks, as retailers collect and store a large amount of customer data. Retailers need to take steps to protect their data from cyberattacks, such as implementing strong security measures and educating employees about cybersecurity threats.
- Regulatory compliance: Retailers need to comply with a variety of regulations, such as those related to data privacy, product safety, and labor laws. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in significant fines and penalties.
- Sustainability: Consumers are increasingly demanding that retailers adopt sustainable practices. Retailers need to find ways to reduce their environmental impact and improve their sustainability practices.
In addition to these critical issues, the retail industry is also facing a number of other challenges, such as:
- The increasing cost of doing business: The cost of rent, labor, and inventory is all rising, making it more difficult for retailers to make a profit.
- The threat of cybercrime: Retailers are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, which can lead to data breaches and financial losses.
- The changing regulatory landscape: Retailers need to stay up-to-date on the latest regulations, which can be complex and time-consuming.
- The growth of artificial intelligence (AI): AI is already being used in the retail industry to automate tasks, personalize the shopping experience, and predict customer behavior. As AI continues to develop, it is likely to have a profound impact on the retail industry.
- The changing demographics of the customer base: The demographics of the global population are changing, and retailers need to adapt their strategies to reach these new customers.
The retail industry is constantly evolving, and retailers need to be prepared to adapt to change in order to survive and thrive. The critical issues discussed above are just a few of the challenges that retailers will face in the years to come. By understanding these challenges and developing effective strategies to address them, retailers can position themselves for success in the future.
