Smartphones and tablets are drastically changing the commercial landscape, as consumers use these products to purchase services and goods. While in-store and online shopping is still popular, these mobile technologies are providing convenience for customers to quickly and efficiently buy the items they want. For this reason, industry experts believe that the mobile payments trend is on the verge of becoming mainstream in the American marketplace, and many retailers are being encouraged to implement solutions that allow them to accept these purchases. However, it seems as though the adoption is soon to be widespread, some retailers are still hesitant when it comes to fully integrating these systems.

Merchants cautious about mobile payments

Retailers can adopt applications and solutions that allow them to process and accept payments from consumers who are using smartphones and tablets, whether it's in stores or from remote locations. However, hese initiatives cost money, and some businesses are hesitant to buy systems that they are not even sure will see much success, as the trend is still developing.

A recent survey by Forrester research, in 2011, 50 percent of merchants stated that they spent less than $100,000 on smartphone apps and solutions for mobile engagement, including purchasing options for shoppers, reports Retail Customer Experience. Nearly three-quarters said they spent less than that amount on tablet systems. However, things may be looking up for mobile payments, as retailers plan to spend an average of $207,000 on mobile initiatives. This represents a sharp increase from the average amount of $55,000 in 2011.

Merchants stated that there are several challenges that they face when deciding whether or not to adopt mobile systems. The inexperience with mobile applications and design is an aspect that many retailers face, along with budget concerns for maintaining and improving these programs.

"Retail executives are taking a measured view of the immediate benefits of these efforts – in part because of the myriad of challenges that must be considered when investing in mobile for their company," said Forrester vice president and principal researcher Sucharita Mulpuru.

Retailers encouraged to mobile payments adoption

However, merchants are being encouraged and pushed by industry experts to implement mobile solutions, reports the Wall Street Journal. Retailers could lose out to competition if they don't act quickly. On the other hand, the solutions they adopt should be effective and easy-to-use for customers, which can increase revenue and even consumer retention for businesses.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Friday, September 14th, 2012 at 1:46 am .

The upcoming Retail Pro 2012 Global Conference will feature a variety of retail industry topics and trends, including the company's latest technology products. The event, which will be held in San Francisco, California, from October 12-16, is open for Retail Pro Alliance and Business Partners, Users, Vendors and Sponsors.

The Global Conference will include an engaging and informative agenda for Retail Pro Customers. On the first day of the conference, there will be a variety of discussions and seminars about the retail industry and Retail Pro's technology products. For the keynote address, Retail Pro International CEO Kerry Lemos will speak to professionals about trends and how Retail Pro is committed to providing viable solutions for its customers to allow them to move forward. Retail Pro Customers will also be able to connect and establish valuable working relationships with other retail professionals at the Global Conference, as there will be several networking opportunities.

On the last day of the conference, Retail Pro Community Members can take advantage of the Retail Pro Prism Boot Camp, a day long event dedicated to the company's latest technology platform. Attendees can earn their certification in Retail Pro Prism after learning about all aspects of the product. Information registration for the conference can be found at https://www.retailpro.com/2012Conference/Registration.php.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Friday, September 14th, 2012 at 1:43 am .

Halloween marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season, when retailers begin to increase promotions and stock their shelves with related merchandise. As summer departs, merchants across the country are already gearing up for the next few months. Many retailers are saying they are extremely optimistic about the upcoming shopping season. Some have even brought back layaway programs, and many are hiring new employees to help get ready for the rush of customers.

Retail optimism surges for holidays

The outlook of merchants that are planning to see increases in holiday shopping is becoming increasingly positive. A recent survey by consulting firm Hay Group asked 14 large retailers about their opinions on the upcoming season, and the majority stated they were looking forward to the rise in sales that is expected this year. Three-quarters of businesses responded that they are anticipating a boost in holiday purchases over last year, compared to 68 percent that said the same last year. This is the highest percentage since 2008, the report stated.

Steps are being taken to better plan promotions and discounts, as retailers are focusing on controlling their inventory to decrease deals that can chip away at profits. The survey found that 31 percent of respondents said they plan to begin their holiday incentives earlier this year, representing an increase from the 21 percent who did the same in 2011. October will be a big month for these promotions, as the majority of retailers surveyed said they will start their holiday campaigns during the month.

These merchants are also making efforts to hire new employees for the shopping season, and the chances of these staff members staying on board into next year is also increasing. Thirty-six percent of retailers are employing more workers leading up to the holidays, up from 10 percent last year.

"All things considered, retailers are on the 'nice list' this year," said Maryam Morse, a leader of Hay Group's retail practice. "With sales improving, retailers are placing more emphasis on retaining and rewarding employees beyond the holiday season."

Layaways are making a comeback

Many large retailers are also bringing back their layaway programs, as some consumers are still concerned about economic conditions and may not have the money needed up front to purchase gifts. NBC News reports that Kmart, Toys R Us, Walmart and Sears are all offering layaway services for cash-conscious customers. The companies said they decided to provide these programs because many shoppers asked them to. They are promoting layaway by waiving fees and letting consumers know about the benefits.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, September 13th, 2012 at 2:10 am .

In opposition to the recent agreement reached between Visa, MasterCard and retailers, the National Retail Federation (NRF) announced that it is prepared to go to court to fight and hopefully block the settlement, which the organization argues will negatively impact merchants across the country. The NRF has been authorized by its board of directors to go to court if necessary. The organization is hoping that several aspects about the settlement will be brought to light that were left out beforehand, such as the fact that consumers are charged hundreds of dollars each year through the swipe fees.

NRF argues settlement not fair to retailers, consumers

The agreement with MasterCard and Visa states that retailers can no longer sue the companies over swipe fees. This includes merchants who do not even exist yet. The NRF argues that this provision is unfair and can only result in further violations by the firms, as they can raise swipe fees at any time.

"The National Retail Federation categorically opposes the proposed settlement," NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. "It does nothing to curb the anticompetitive behavior of Visa and MasterCard, and instead ensures that swipe fees paid by retailers and their customers will continue to rise while barring any future legal challenges. The proposal is a lose-lose-lose for merchants, consumers and competition. NRF will take any and all steps necessary to oppose the settlement as it is currently proposed and will work toward real reform of the swipe fee system."

Swipe fees cost merchants and customers billions

Swipe fees are collected by Visa and MasterCard from each transaction that is made, whether at brick-and mortar locations or online. In total, these fees come to approximately $50 billion each year. This accounts for the third highest expense paid for by retailers, behind workers' salaries and benefits. For online merchants, swipe fees can be as much as three times higher than those paid by other merchants.

The NRF also states that the suggestion by Visa and MasterCard for retailers to charge credit card paying shoppers more for these transactions is pointless, as businesses want to decrease fees for consumers.

"A key question for the judge is whether this settlement is fair to the nation’s retailers," Shay said. "From what we have heard, it unequivocally is not. NRF's membership reflects the vast majority of retailers from Main Street small businesses to some of the nation’s best-known brands."

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, September 13th, 2012 at 2:05 am .

For Canadian retailers, last year did not produce the retail sales they were hoping for. Businesses and consumers across the North American country are keeping their fingers crossed that 2012 will surpass last year's amounts, although some recent reports state that sales have stalled or are only slowly improving. On the other hand, some studies are forecasting that this year will see a boost in the number of ecommerce retail sales for Canadian companies. Industry experts anticipate that online purchases might even surpass American growth in the market.

Canadian retail sales slow down during second quarter

According to recent research by KubasPrimedia, during the second quarter of 2012, retail sales in Canada saw only a 2.8 percent increase from the same time last year, reports The Star. The study's authors say this is one of the poorest results since the economic recession. For the first quarter, year-over-year growth rose by 5.6 percent, which was the highest amount since the downturn.

Industry experts told the news source that Canadian consumers are worried about economic conditions as well as debt and employment. In order to have a successful year for retail sales, the numbers should be steady throughout the year and growth should be sustained leading up to and all the way through the holiday shopping season.

One sector that has performed well is clothing, as sales growth for apparel rose by 7.7 percent from 2011's amounts. This increase happened during the first six months of this year. Health and personal care stores also saw boosts, although sales were not as high as was hoped for.

Next few years to see boost in Canadian ecommerce

While Canadian retail sales have been producing less-than-expected results, ecommerce is anticipated to grow significantly over the next few years. According to recent research by eMarketer, growth of online sales will increase by 14.3 percent this year and continue to rise, states Internet Retailer. The study also states that this figure will surpass American internet retail sales, which will come in at a 13.8 percent increase for 2012.

Industry experts believe that ecommerce growth will slow down after this year, but Canada is expected to grow by 11 percent in 2016, while the United States will increase by only 9.4 percent. These are significant forecasts, as Canada has approximately 33.4 million citizens, which represents 10.7 percent of the population of the U.S.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, September 12th, 2012 at 2:02 am .

When Retail Pro hosts its 2012 Global Conference starting on Friday, October 12, Business and Alliance Partners along with Users, Sponsors and Vendors will converge on San Francisco, California, to learn about the latest industry trends and technology.

Business Partners will be able to gain insightful knowledge about Retail Pro's technology products and listen to retail professionals talk about how shopping experiences can be enhanced with Retail Pro's tools and solutions. Attendees will be able to learn more about creating effective software development roadmaps that can help customers make informed technology decisions. Retail Pro 9 seminars will also be featured, where the uses of Retail Pro Reports and Retail Pro Business Intelligence will be highlighted. Additionally, there will be several networking opportunities for attendees, who will be able to meet and establish valuable working relationships with other retail professionals.

The last day of the conference will be dedicated to Retail Pro Prism, the company's latest technology platform that provides flexible workflows and user interfaces which support business processes of individual retailers. Attendees of the Retail Pro Prism Boot Camp will be able to learn about all the features of the technology. They will also be able to earn their certification which is recognized by Retail Pro International, LLC and Retail Pro University. Registration information can be found at https://www.retailpro.com/2012Conference/Registration.php.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, September 12th, 2012 at 1:58 am .

Retail sales throughout the U.S. produced positive numbers in August, mainly due to strong back-to-school shopping. However, the momentum seems to be carrying over into September, as retail purchases increased from the amounts at the end of last month.

According to the Johnson Redbook Index by Redbook Research, chain retail store sales rose slightly by 1.7 percent in the first week of September, reports Fox Business. This was a better-than-expected result, as it was anticipated that the increase would be 1.5 percent. From the same time last year, seasonally adjusted sales were up by 2.5 percent, surpassing the 2.2 percent target. The report stated that the increase was due to better promotions and advertising leading up to Labor Day, writes the source.

August retail sales were very strong and were boosted by the back-to-school shopping season. Research by Thomson Reuters found that same-store purchases increased by 3.6 percent from the previous month, surpassing the anticipated 2 percent rise. However, American commerce still faces some challenges, as both retailers and consumers are still slowly regaining confidence in economic conditions.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, September 11th, 2012 at 1:55 am .

The internet has become a valuable tool in today's world. It has also helped retailers and changed the commercial landscape, as consumers are increasingly going online to purchase services and goods. While shoppers still like to visit brick-and-mortar locations, the internet provides more convenience and sometimes faster transactions. Additionally, retailers that offer products online can see boosts in sales as they are now able to reach a wider range of consumers.

Small and midsize retailers get August boost

Internet Retailer reports that online sales for small and midsize retailers throughout August rose by 6 percent from the same time last year, according to a study by an industry software firm. This highlights the growing number of customers who are purchasing products and services online. These merchants also saw higher sales per order since the past year, with the average order size rising by 4.19 percent.

Among the small and midsize retailers that saw the most growth of internet sales since August of last year were booksellers and sporting good companies, the study found. Book retailers increased by 20 percent from the same time in 2011, and sporting goods merchants grew by 32 percent.

Retail web sales are up for many retailers across the country. A recently released report by comScore found that for the second quarter, the total amount reached $43.2 billion, or a 15 percent rise from the same quarter last year. This represents a steady increase of online purchasing over the past five years.

Discounts can easily boost online sales

For retailers looking to increase their internet sales, there may be hope with discounts. A study by GroupM Next discovered that consumers are willing to leave brick-and-mortar locations if a discount of 2.5 percent or more is offered online for products. Of the customers surveyed, 45 percent stated they would be willing to purchase items on the web for a small discount.

The amount of shoppers going online rises the higher the discount is, states the report. Approximately 60 percent of respondents said they would leave stores and use the internet to purchase products if the discounts are at least 5 percent.

"Consumers have shifted their path to purchase to include the store as a step but not necessarily the final step, and this will likely continue to increase over time," said GroupM Next CEO Chris Copeland.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, September 11th, 2012 at 1:53 am .

Retailers and shoppers throughout the world took part in 2012's Fashion's Night Out, which was held in more than 500 cities, including New York City, Paris and Sydney. The annual event allows stores and designers showcase their latest merchandise and increase sales, as they offer discounts for consumers.

According to The Huffington Post, retailers who participated were looking forward to the night-long affair, as they expected it to significantly boost sales and bring more customers into their stores. Although the total amounts for the event are not yet available, the numbers from 2011 were positive and merchants were hoping to surpass them this year. The source states that with the improving economy and successful summer sales, this year's Fashion's Night Out is anticipated to especially benefit the stores that participated.

"What happens is there's a big bump in the stores the following week or 10 days after that," said George Fertitta, head of New York City's tourism organization NYC & Company. "People go and they see … and then they go back to the stores and buy what they want the next day."

This is the fourth year that Fashion's Night Out has been held, and each year more cities encourage their retailers to open their doors for local customers.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Monday, September 10th, 2012 at 1:39 am .

The months leading up to the holiday shopping season are both hectic and exciting for retailers. This period of high sales is always anticipated to boost economic conditions, especially over the past few years since the recession. Although the outlook has been getting brighter for the United States, there are some consumers who are still struggling. These individuals certainly do not want to miss out on holiday shopping, so they are relying on store layaway programs that provide an alternative option for purchasing the gifts and items they want. Retailers are focusing their efforts on increasing their layaway methods to accommodate these customers.

Layaway options already being offered

In the hopes of bringing more consumers who are looking to get their holiday shopping completed early, retailers are already gearing up their layaway efforts. According to The Street, big name retailers are relaunching these methods to provide more options for customers. These companies had done away with or decreased their layaway offerings, as it became unpopular a few years ago. However, the economic downturn forced many to begin offering the service again.

Wal-Mart and Toys-R-Us are some of the largest retailers who are aiming to accommodate shoppers who prefer to layaway items, states the source. Other big brands include Kmart, T.J. Maxx and Sears. These companies don't have layaway for customers during the rest of the year and are providing the option just for the holiday season. They have also decided to waive fees and other costs that normally come with layaway to attract consumers who might be cash-strapped.

Money-conscious consumers can benefit from layaways

Industry experts anticipate that both large and smaller retailers could begin offering the option as the holiday shopping season gets closer, according to ABC News. These methods offer many benefits for consumers who might not have access to credit cards or are strapped for cash. The number of Americans who have financial troubles has risen significantly over the past few years, and layaway options allow them to afford the items and gifts they are looking for.

Additionally, brick-and-mortar retailers are using this strategy to draw in shoppers, as online retailers normally do not offer the service. As these stores compete with internet sellers, layaway options can increase revenue and customer retention as more shoppers come into the physical location to purchase goods.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Monday, September 10th, 2012 at 1:36 am .