Retail industry professionals know that while ecommerce is an increasingly important part of their industry, brick-and-mortar sales are still the bulk of their business. For consumers and merchants alike, there are a number of advantages to shoppers wandering the aisles. Customers could see and try on or test products that they might not have bought or noticed online, and stores can benefit from the impulse sales that these habits generate. This also reduces the chance that an item will be returned, and it simplifies the refund process when one is brought back. 

Because of the advantages inherent to brick-and-mortar sales, some retailers are running events leading up to the holiday shopping season to draw customers into their stores. Integrated Solutions for Retailers recently highlighted Barnes & Noble's own efforts to attract shoppers with its "Discovery Friday," which will take place on November 22. At this time, the book seller will run a variety of games, giveaways, storytelling sessions and other activities meant to drive customer engagement.

According to the news provider, this effort is meant to showcase the advantages of having access to on-the-floor associates who can answer questions and provide recommendations to curious shoppers. Although discounts and other promotions are an important part of the holiday shopping season, customer service can help encourage brand loyalty that extends beyond the price point. 

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, November 19th, 2013 at 2:48 pm .

In the world of ecommerce, delivery is one of the most critical aspects of the business. Without free shipping offered at the point of sale, some customers might abandon their carts and find another merchant to fulfill their online shopping needs. The feature does not need to be offered for any purchase, but after a certain spending threshold, many consumers expect that they can forgo the charge. 

Because of this, retail industry professionals should be aware that the United States Postal Service recently announced that shipping prices may increase by 2.4 percent starting on Jan. 26, 2014. Notably, the announcement is not yet official. First the change must be reviewed and approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission. However, merchants may want to look over their current free delivery thresholds and prepare for the change. 

Fortunately, even ecommerce giant Amazon has recognized the need to revise its shipping policy, and its spending minimum for free delivery rose from $25 to $35 in October, according to CNN. Balancing the cost of transporting goods against the benefits of online sales can be difficult, but with versatile retail software in place, merchants can get a better overview of their companies and have an understanding of when free delivery becomes viable. 

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Friday, November 15th, 2013 at 4:24 am .

For the past few years, retail industry professionals have seen the holiday shopping season start earlier and earlier, be it by hours or days. Some stores are opening at midnight on the day after Thanksgiving to capitalize on Black Friday, but for some of the largest retailers, even that is too late in the season. USA Today recently reported that the top eight retailers will let customers in on Thanksgiving Day, rather than wait until the holiday is finished. Walmart's specials will go on sale at 6:00 pm on November 28, and Target's doors will open for customers at 8:00 p.m. and only close come 11 p.m. the following day. Meanwhile, Best Buy, Sears, Macy's and other merchants will be running on similar hours. 

The trend is understandable, because for many consumers, the holiday shopping season already began. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), 53.8 percent of U.S. customers have started buying gifts, and many promotions began in early October. The NRF noted that some patrons have smaller budgets this year, and getting out early may let them find better deals to purchase just as much as last year while still saving on how much they spend. 

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, November 13th, 2013 at 11:57 am .

Every transaction, customer interaction and delivery provides merchants with another data point about their operations. However, this information must be followed with action to be useful. Knowing how all the details add together can be difficult, but with Retail Pro Business Intelligence, the whole process becomes much easier by letting decision-makers know which details to focus on to improve all levels of their organization. 

To discover how Retail Pro Business Intelligence can assist with better strategy-making decisions, merchants should attend this week's webinar and learn about the solution's powerful capabilities. The webinar will take place tomorrow, November 13, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m PDT. Registration information can be found at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/504336090.

Neil McKeown, Product Manager for Retail Pro Business Intelligence and Retail Pro E-Commerce, will be leading the webinar and explaining how the platform can enhance merchants' processes and procedures. He will discuss how its features can streamline workflow and the point of sale, improve collaboration between personnel and also be customized for large and small retailers alike.  

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, November 13th, 2013 at 9:42 am .

The importance of retail software is taken as a given in some markets, but in many parts of the world, its potential benefits are not as widely known or implemented. Waseem Naif, CEO and founder of Retail Technology, recently addressed how technology is changing the retail landscape in Saudi Arabia during an interview with Iqtisad Al-Mamlaka – the Kingdom's Economy.

As Retail Pro's exclusive distributor in the region, Naif has witnessed the way point of sale systems can transform the industry. While most international businesses deploy software solutions, this practice is not yet as widespread throughout Saudi Arabia.

"There are companies in Saudi Arabia that still work in the old, traditional way without computer systems, even though they desperately need them," Naif said.

Because of this, many merchants are missing out on the positive impact that retail software can have on their companies. Naif explained that some are just not aware of the benefits these solutions can have on their enterprises, such as potentially doubling their profits due to the efficiency and productivity possible through the technology.

Create an environment of expertise
As some retailers have yet to institute software solutions to their store operations, Naif pointed out that there is a considerable market for the technology's expansion throughout the region. However, he advised that merchants should be thoroughly familiar with the point of sale system that they are selling, and to provide transparency about all levels of the offering to foster a sense of confidence and trust in the product. To achieve this, he recommended that businesses create specializations for each aspect of the technology, as this strategy his helped his own company's success.

"The most important elements of success for any organization in this field of business is a comprehensive awareness and full understanding of the details and capabilities of the program it is promoting, not to mention maintaining credibility and professionalism with all clients," Naif​ told the publication.

Obstacles to watch for
As important as technology is, Naif highlighted that skilled staff members are another key part to implementing best in class retail solutions in Saudi Arabia. As he has expanded his company throughout the region, Naif has had to invest in training programs that help qualify employees for installing his retail solutions. While many Saudi youth have some familiarity with software and technology, it is not as widespread as Naif has needed. This has been one of the few challenges he has faced, but he noted that he remains optimistic and determined to continue growing his operations across the country.

"As you know, investment in the human element is one of the most significant elements of success for any organization," Waif said.

Technology and the necessary support for it will continue to play a prominent role in the retail industry, as Naif highlighted. Worldwide, a number of opportunities and markets for expansion exist, with many only recently tapped into. Merchants can benefit immensely from software solutions, but partners should be able to offer both information and trust when promoting point of sale platforms.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, November 12th, 2013 at 11:02 am .

Powerful ecommerce software is more important than ever as customers are increasingly shopping online. Recent comScore findings for the third quarter revealed that desktop spending on e-retail rose by 13 percent from the $41.9 billion earned last year. ComScore chairman Gian Fulgoni noted that this represents a minor deceleration from the last quarter, but he suggested that the increase in major purchases such as homes and automobiles may have reduced discretionary budgets. 

"Nonetheless, we are confident that the growth rate in online spending will once again far exceed that in bricks and mortar stores, reflecting the ongoing channel shift to ecommerce," said Fulgoni. 

Meanwhile, mobile commerce helped spur some year-over-year growth, with Internet Retailer noting that it now accounts for 10.9 percent of all Web sales, up from 9.9 percent last year. The total was split between smartphones (62 percent) and tablets (38 percent) and amounted to $5.8 billion in expenditures. 

Because of changes in the ecommerce market, retailers should deploy the latest retail software and emphasize mobile compatibility. Desktop sales remain important, but market trends suggest a gradual shift to other devices. 

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, November 12th, 2013 at 3:46 am .

Merchants handle a plethora of details and information on a daily basis, whether it's in the form of customer preferences, inventory processes or sales orders, just to name a few. Keeping track of this data can become an overwhelming task if retailers don't have the right procedures and tools in place. Fortunately, retail software such as Retail Pro's Business Intelligence provides merchants with a comprehensive platform that can perform a variety of operational functions to gather data and turn it into actionable information for brands.

Merchants that are interested in learning more about Retail Pro Business Intelligence and what it can do for their organizations can sign up for this week's webinar that is dedicated to the solution's features and capabilities. The online event will take place on Thursday, November 14, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. PDT. Registration information can be found at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/504336090.

Presenting the webinar will be Neil McKeown, Product Manager for Retail Pro Business Intelligence and Retail Pro E-Commerce. McKeown will be hosting a live demonstration of the platform to show attendees how the technology can develop reports for a variety of processes, including point of sale, merchandising and inventory, among other functions. 

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Monday, November 11th, 2013 at 4:28 am .

No matter what channel customers are using, they want a convenient, uncomplicated transaction process. Merchants providing a versatile point of sale system backed by powerful retail management software can cater to consumers regardless of whether they are shopping on a smartphone or in person. 

Because Retail Pro Prism can be tailored to each merchant's needs, the platform offers the flexibility that they have asked for, and specialty retailers with specific needs can customize the application to their store operations. Interested retailers can attend tomorrow's webinar from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. PDT. Registration information can be found at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/285623402.

Retail Pro Prism's modular nature allows industry professionals to tailor the solution to their enterprise. Attendees will discover how the system can improve their store operations, customer and employee management, inventory tracking and other business aspects. These are but a few of the topics that will be covered tomorrow, with Ket Venethongkham, Director of Retail Pro University, and James McGibbon, a Trainer at Retail Pro University, both on hand to present the platform's many benefits and answer questions. 

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, November 7th, 2013 at 12:19 pm .

Retail software that functions across multiple devices, from the desktop to the tablet, is an increasingly important consideration for merchants. Real-time reporting on store operations is enhanced by a mobile workforce who can perform their tasks and monitor events without one job interrupting the other. Similarly, a versatile point of sale system is critical for shoppers, who will also be buying items from numerous devices. Even brick-and-mortar locations will see an uptick in mobile payments as NFC technology and other innovations become more widespread among consumers and retailers, while customers already access ecommerce from smartphones, laptops and other devices. 

The diversity of ways that patrons can research and purchase items will be even more important this upcoming holiday season, with a recent Google study discovering that 80 percent of customers will shop on more than one device in November and December. The search engine giant suggested that retailers should have a multiscreen business strategy in place to meet consumers at every step of their purchase. 

More consumers shopping on smartphones
The overall role of technology in retail will also increase, with Google anticipating a 21 percent year-over-year jump in the number of smartphone owners buying items through their devices. Meanwhile, 76 percent of these shoppers will browse products on their phones – 17 percent more than last year. 

These numbers rise even more significantly among younger shoppers, with millennials more likely to research products and then purchase them on their smartphones. This group will also frequent storefronts earlier than other customers, with 88 percent planning to shop on Thanksgiving weekend, in comparison to only 67 percent of overall adults. However, Google noted that there is a general trend for most consumers to visit stores early this season, even though many (25 percent) won't finish buying gifts until the last day possible. 

Consumers' device-focused nature is also suggested by the 100 percent increase since January in online searches for wearable devices. While the technology has yet to become commonplace, it may represent another shift in shopping come 2014. 

Rather than creating a separate strategy for consumers using smartphones, tablets and desktops, merchants should implement a holistic plan that acknowledges the role of omnichannel shopping habits. The mobile customer is now the norm, and new devices will likely add to the way they research and buy products, rather than supplanting past technology altogether. 

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, November 7th, 2013 at 10:05 am .

For most merchants, technology is a critical part of the business. Retail software enables the easy management of sales, while some level of hardware is necessary to run applications and complete transactions. However, some industry professionals may grow distracted by the latest innovations and forget that the newest advancements should complement their operations rather than running in parallel or even competition with the rest of the organization. 

Writing for ScreenPlay Interactive, Ken Lonyai recently reported that some retailers may be investing more in technology than in customer service. The source noted that after sending an email through Whole Foods' corporate website about an ongoing problem with a local store, an email response took one week to arrive. Because nothing way resolved, Lonyai proceeded to call the Northeast Regional Office eight days later. Instead of finding help, Lonyai was met with the office covering for the store. Rather than the website enhancing the customer experience, it proved ineffective as the reply time was slow. Additionally, it resulted in a lost patron. 

Chris Petersen, president of Integrated Marketing Solutions, remarked on RetailWire that technology that is not integrated into the shopper's journey will be ignored or potentially decrease sales. He noted that even as most consumers review products online, the majority still purchase items in stores, so innovations should work in concert with traditional brick-and-mortar sales. In his opinion, mobile apps that help store employees convince consumers to buy from their locations are retailers' best tech investment. 

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, November 6th, 2013 at 9:33 am .