More than half of global wholesalers have witnessed manufacturers sell directly to end customers driving the disintermediation of the traditional supply chain model and increasing competitiveness between traditional partners, according to new research.
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.
Making your mark - Printing & Labelling Special Technology report
Oct 30, 2018
Manufacturing & Logistics IT spoke with a number of leading spokespeople from the vendor and analyst communities about current and possible future developments within the world of printing & labelling technology.
This special technology report will investigate a number of key current and ongoing areas of innovation and development with the printing & labelling marketplace; one of the most critical and fast-changing technology environments within the manufacturing, logistics and retail sectors.
The Perfect Platform – A B2B Online report
Oct 24, 2018
B2B customers are more demanding than ever. With targeted content on the rise, people expect relevant, accurate information to be made available at a moment’s notice. As a result, B2B companies are figuring out innovative ways to streamline their platforms. But where should you start?
A vision for the future of retail
Oct 24, 2018
In a retail landscape that is changing daily, you have to be prepared for constant evolution. Stand still for too long try to assess how to take the next step forward and you may in fact find yourselves two steps backwards, or worse - a Datalogic white paper.
October 2018 edition of Manufacturing & Logistics IT
Oct 23, 2018
The October 2018 edition of Manufacturing & Logistics IT features a Special Technology Report on Printing & Labelling.
For this report, we spoke with a number of leading spokespeople from the vendor and analyst communities about recent, current and possible future developments within the world of printing & labelling technology.
Consumers aren’t as opposed to bots as you might think
Oct 23, 2018
While bots are often cited as a reason for poor customer service, new research from Genesys finds many UK consumers do not rank them high on their list of frustrations.
New research: Payment fragmentation is the “new normal” across all markets
Oct 23, 2018
Research published by RS2 examines the payment landscape across a number of global markets, and finds that proliferating payment channels and the expectations of consumers and merchants has made payment service processing increasingly complex.
Lack of consumer finance options costing UK retailers £25bn
Oct 23, 2018
UK businesses could be losing out on over £25 billion in potential sales by not offering a range of consumer finance options, according to recent research.
Disruptive Dutch scale-up sets sights on UK retail market
Oct 23, 2018
Omnia Retail, the pricing and online marketing automation software provider, has launched in the UK with a dedicated London office.
The seamless omnichannel journey: convenience at the heart of shoppers’ research
Oct 23, 2018
Convenience in product research is a key consideration in omnichannel conversions, a report from KPS, a transformation agency, reveals.
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.
