In the upcoming March/April 2018 issue of Retail Executive, I dedicate my Viewpoint article to voice commerce, a topic we’ll be covering more diligently as the technology progresses. As such, I caught up with Saeed Amidi, CEO of Plug and Play Tech Center and Retail Executive Editorial Advisory Board member to get his take on the progression of the technology and how retailers should utilize it.
Maintaining accurate, standardized product data across all channels is a priority, as consumers have learned to expect a seamless retail experience. Sam Copeland, vice president of merchandising operations for Office Depot, Inc., took time to discuss why expanding assortments and the demand for personalization are placing additional emphasis on the need for centralized master data.
Today’s retail CIO must be equal parts technologist, trusted advisor, and business co-creator.
This is the last issue you’ll receive of Innovative Retail Technologies.
In today’s customer-engagement race, seasoned retailers have come to understand the value and opportunity startups offer.
Here’s how an improved e-commerce strategy fueled the legendary train maker’s growth in just four months.
Ever since I returned from ShopTalk, I’ve dedicated time to learning more about the startups that exhibited at the show, as well as others in incubation labs around the country. You’ll read more about startups in the May/June issue of Innovative Retail Technologies.
It shouldn’t surprise you to hear that ShopTalk 2017 was a hit. I walked away from the show more informed on the future of retail than when I was when I walked in. I suspect there are quite a few meetings and conversations taking place as retail execs share what they learned with their teams. In a nutshell, the content was top notch. Here are some of the sessions I attended and what I learned:
Our friend, Miya Knights, global retail technology director at Planet Retail, in partnership with Digimarc, just released an insightful report titled, “Harnessing the Power of Digital Transformation: The Ultimate Retail IT Therapy.” In her report, Knights explains the importance of harnessing digital transformation in omni-channel retailing. She writes, “Only through the digital modernization of their own automated systems will retailers truly be able to grow sales efficiently and enrich shopper engagement effectively at any and every physical and digital touch point.”
Forget B2B, B2C, and B2B2C. As the customer — specifically the Millennial and Gen Z segments — help shape the future of retailing, we’re in the throes of the “Me2B” economy.
