A global research study has revealed that online shopping brings clear sustainability benefits and that urban logistics facilities, like those needed to serve dense populations such a London, could dramatically reduce transportation-related carbon emissions.
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.
Graphic Packaging International partners with Liffey Meats to support Lidl`s sustainability goals
Jan 29, 2021
assets/files/images/03_02_21/PaperSeal_Tray_Deluxe-resize.jpgGlobal market leader in paper-based packaging solutions, Graphic Packaging International (‘Graphic Packaging’), has announced its PaperSeal® tray solution will be used on a new premium steak range for the Irish market.
PFS Europe comment: High street retailers are threatening to burn products returned by EU shoppers
Jan 26, 2021
PFS Europe comment: High street retailers are threatening to burn products returned by EU shoppers
Strong customer overlap makes ASOS best suitor for young Arcadia brands, says GlobalData
Jan 26, 2021
Following reports that ASOS is in talks to buy Topshop, Topman and Miss Selfridge out of administration, Chloe Collins, Senior Apparel Analyst at GlobalData, the data and analytics company, offers her view on this news:
Post-purchase issues contribute to over half of retailers’ one-star Trustpilot reviews
Jan 26, 2021
Problems with receiving and returning products are having a major impact on customer perceptions of UK retailers, according to a new report from post-purchase technology platform HelloDone.
2021 is set to be a ‘golden age’ for data, says Oxylabs
Jan 26, 2021
2021 will bring a new set of organisational challenges, but for now business leaders are taking solace in the fact that, as vaccine rollouts begin to gather pace, there is light at the end of the tunnel, from the past 12 months of turmoil. In doing so, operational planning is increasingly moving out of short-term survival-mode to long-term progression.
Sorted: robots will provide the answer to eCommerce fulfilment
Jan 26, 2021
The end of 2020 marked a turning point for the online grocery market, with COVID-19 accelerating orders and some key acquisitions of robotics companies in the retail space. Since the beginning of the pandemic in March, consumer demand for shopping online has sky-rocketed, fuelled by lockdowns and accompanied by high expectations of fast and free delivery.
3 Ways to Improve Employee Engagement in Your Remote Workforce
Jan 25, 2021
By Philip Turner, freelance writer.
How do you engage with employees who rarely come into the office? How do you maintain the company culture of communication you worked so hard to establish?
UK companies are not effectively communicating with multicultural communities, warns Mediareach
Jan 25, 2021
Over the past few decades, the UK has undergone a drastic cultural shift which has seen an increase in the number of ethnic minorities living in the UK, despite this, far too many companies are not adequately communicating with multicultural communities in the UK.
Reimagined supply chains emerge from global crisis as enterprises focus on data insights to mitigate risk
Jan 20, 2021
New research from Orange Business Services found that the supply chains in 40% of multinational corporations were unable to cope with the crisis created by the pandemic. The survey of 320 enterprises, focusing on the manufacturing, transport and logistics sectors, revealed that the global crisis has dramatically changed attitudes to risk.
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.
