By Maarten Hemmes, CarPal CEO & Founder.
As logistics is changing rapidly, more companies continue to look for ways to improve and optimise their last-mile delivery based on customer's demands and pressure from upcoming trends in the market. But to succeed, they will need to factor in more strategies that will allow them to leverage their services and offer a better delivery experience.
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.
Can companies build a more resilient last-mile delivery operations in today’s competitive landscape?
Apr 23, 2018
'Amazon effect' will grow as retail challenges increase, says Blue Yonder
Apr 23, 2018
With the retail market reeling from the latest round of profit warnings and administrations in the sector, many retailers will be looking towards innovation in order to ride out challenging times.
Online purchases in CPG are trending up, consumer survey shows
Apr 17, 2018
Consumer packaged goods (CPG), once purchased almost exclusively in stores, are quickly moving into the digital realm as more and more consumers are researching and purchasing CPG products online.
Managing increasing customer demand proving difficult for online retailers
Apr 10, 2018
Online retailers need greater automation in the warehouse to help meet delivery schedules during peak periods and to improve customer service, shows independent market research from Conveyor Networks.
Tackle GDPR now or risk business failure, warns Canonical
Apr 10, 2018
With less than two months until GDPR becomes mandatory, Canonical is warning companies are risking business failure by leaving compliance until the last minute.
Compromised Magento sites delivering malware
Apr 09, 2018
By Amina Bashir, Paul Burbage, and Vitali Kremez or business risk analyst firm Flashpoint.
Retailers should consider ditching discounting as 53% admit 'always on' sales are damaging profits
Apr 09, 2018
New research shows that retailers are under increasing pressure to discount to keep up with competition and rising customer expectations.
Blockchain group in UK launch to disrupt online retail
Apr 03, 2018
Blamed for the death of the High Street, online shopping giants face their own disruption from artificial intelligence (AI) driven retailers, according to a new e-commerce platform scheduled to launch in the UK.
New Instagram shoppable feature provides a golden opportunity for retailers and Brands according to Tryzens
Apr 03, 2018
News that social media giant Instagram is spreading its 'shoppable' tags to eight other countries following a year-long trial in the US, has been welcomed by eCommerce expert Tryzens.
Macro-less Word document attacks on the rise, Zero Day Malware variants jump 167 per cent
Apr 03, 2018
WatchGuard Technologies, a leader in advanced network security solutions, has announced new research findings from its Internet Security Report for Q4 2017.
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.