A number of retailers are investing in new software and other technology as a means of improving store operations. This is particularly the case with point-of-sale (POS) systems that can be leveraged to expedite the checkout process.

For example, many merchants are now experimenting with tablets such as Apple's iPad. Some arm their sales associates with the devices to help customers find specific items and learn more about merchandise. Others incorporate them into the frontend for use as POS terminals. There are a number of potential ways to use these devices, depending on the needs of the brand.

"When it comes to retail software, one of the key questions many merchants are asking has to do with hardware – namely, what role tablet computers will play at the point of sale and how these devices can be integrated with existing POS systems," adds Business Solutions magazine.

Some retail merchants are using tablets to run Retail Pro's own software. For example, Chinese Apple Premium Reseller iSpace leverages the iPad as a touchpoint for operating Retail Pro's management solution.