The UK is becoming a nation of smartphone shoppers, with more consumers from the UK opting to hit the January sales on mobile devices than those from other regions around the world.
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.
Smartphone addiction driving January sales as UK declared the nation ‘most likely to shop on a smartphone’
Jan 19, 2016
Digital disruption? New Cisco research reveals nearly half of all retailers are at risk
Jan 19, 2016
US$506 billion. That's the digital value the retail industry has the potential to generate over the next three years. Looking out over the next 10 years, that number grows to $2.8 trillion in Digital Value at Stake.
More than half of SMEs are failing on security
Jan 19, 2016
59% of UK SMEs are not taking their security seriously enough and are at huge risk of a security breach, according to new research.
Digital ID, the access control and smart card specialists, conducted research which found 23% of businesses have very little visitor security and 36% have no visitor security processes at all.
Muddy Boots identifies a 140% increase in fresh produce quality management since the horsemeat scandal.
Jan 19, 2016
More than three million items of fresh produce were quality checked by Muddy Boots' QC system in 2015, an increase of 140% since the horsemeat scandal surfaced in 2013.
More than a third of Christmas Click & Collect shoppers experienced issues with their orders
Jan 12, 2016
More than a third (36%) of Christmas Click & Collect shoppers encountered issues with their 'Click & Collect' orders, according to the second annual JDA/Centiro Christmas Customer Pulse report (conducted online by YouGov).
Manufacturing & Logistics IT December 2015 Reference Annual Edition.
Jan 05, 2016
The December Reference Annual edition of Manufacturing & Logistics IT (MLIT) features a brand new exclusive Special Report on the latest developments and key talking points related to Software as a Service/Cloud.
Fujitsu forecasts advancements in enterprise technology to stimulate immense changes in retail
Jan 05, 2016
Retail experts at Fujitsu Americas have offered projections for the future of retail and the implications for enterprise technology.
Don’t just survive the holiday season, thrive
Dec 15, 2015
By Richard Davies, CEO of ElasticHosts.
On Black Friday this year Britons spent a whopping £1.1bn online, but many retail websites, such as John Lewis', couldn't keep up with increased traffic despite increasing server capacity by a third from the year before.
MWR InfoSecurity suggests 2016 will be dramatically impacted by smart technology
Dec 15, 2015
As we prepare to close the book on 2015, no will argue that it's not been eventful, particularly for IT practitioners. For a number of years, experts have been talking about how 'smart' technology will impact the way we live with the promise of spectacular functionality in the technology we utilise.
Learn the lessons from Santa: Deliveries need to come first this Christmas
Dec 15, 2015
By Niklas Hedin, CEO, Centiro.
This Christmas, UK consumers are expected to spend a record-breaking £26.7bn online. So, with crowds of shoppers hitting the web for their festive fix over the Christmas period, retailers really need to ensure they are able to handle peaks in orders and make sure the experience they deliver is consistent throughout the whole supply chain.
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.
