Retail technology is moving forward at a considerable pace, and some merchants may feel like they are missing some of the most cutting-edge solutions for their business. Omnichannel marketing efforts, e-commerce and overall corporate strategies can all be enhanced by employing the latest in retail software and business intelligence tools. For Retail Pro Business Partners and Customers interested in utilizing the newest innovations, the 2013 Retail Pro Global Conference may have the answers that they seek. 

Held in Barcelona, Spain, the two-part conference will take place next month. The Business Partner Summit will be held on October 18-20, and the Customer Summit will follow it on October 20-22. Business Partners and Customers can view the agendas at https://www.retailpro.com/Community/2013Conference/Agenda.php. 

Attendants will be able to partake in an industry and business services exhibition that will detail some of the greatest innovations recently introduced to the market. Retail Pro experts will be on hand to explain some of the helpful technologies available to them and answer any questions that participants have about using the latest software and point of sale systems. A number of presentations will also run throughout the event to give merchants an overview of how the retail sector is changing and how they can stay up-to-date with its evolution. 

Interested Retail Pro Business Partners and Customers can register now for the 2013 Global Conference at https://www.retailpro.com/Community/2013Conference/Registration.php. 

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, September 26th, 2013 at 10:11 am .

Providing the best shopping experience for customers often means offering them the most convenient way to complete their transactions. For many consumers, this means letting them purchase items or services from the comfort of their own home or mobile device. E-commerce is key to retailers' continued success, and they should deploy the right software to maximize their Web presence. 

Retail Pro E-Commerce provides the tools merchants need to start or improve their online sales efforts. This retail software solution encourages a seamless Web-based shopping experience from initial interest to the point of sale. Industry professionals will be able to learn more about the platform during the webinar scheduled for tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. PDT. Registration information can be found at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/973639330.

For merchants intent on starting their e-commerce operations as soon as possible, Retail Pro E-Commerce offers a number of pre-designed templates that can speed up the process. They can also customize the solution to their individual needs thanks to a suite of website building tools. Participants will hear about these capabilities during the webinar, as well as the platform's POS management, inventory tracking capabilities and other features tailored to the online shopping experience. 

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, September 26th, 2013 at 5:17 am .

After merchants sell their goods in a brick-and-mortar store, transactions are typically finished after customers receive their receipt. An attendant might help them load their groceries into their vehicle, but the exchange is otherwise finished. In the world of e-commerce, though, the point of sale is just part of a series of steps to completing a transaction, and those additional parts can be key to providing a great shopping experience. From mailing options to pickup dates, industry professionals have a number of obligations to their customers.

Beyond the point of sale
Notably, a comScore and UPS study found that the POS is one of the most important aspects to online shopping, so retailers should not shirk this part of the journey. Eighty-three percent of respondents said that they were satisfied with their Web experience, with ease of check-out ranking as the primary reason why they were pleased.

However, the report indicated that many e-commerce sites fail to provide flexible delivery dates or the ability to re-route packages. These were some of the least appreciated aspects of respondents' Internet shopping, with satisfaction ranking below 50 percent. The lack of green packaging or a specific delivery time were viewed in a similar manner.

While the U.S. Department of Commerce noted that e-commerce only accounted for 5.8 percent of total retail sales in Q2 of 2013, it is also the fastest growing branch of retail – it has expanded by 18.4 percent between Q2 2012 and Q2 2013. Meanwhile, online purchases are expected to exceed $200 billion by 2013 or 2014. As such, merchants have a great opportunity here to reap the benefits of an expanding market by increasing customer satisfaction in areas that other retailers have yet to fully tap. Adding more delivery options and choices for green packaging may help them stand out to savvy consumers and potentially win their loyalty. 

More than just e-commerce
Merchants should also ensure that their e-commerce sites are mobile optimized, as the comScore study noted that 7 out of 10 online shoppers use mobile devices while engaging with Internet retailers. With smartphone and tablet ownership surging every year, multi-channel retail POS software that functions across a variety of operating systems and screen sizes will be critical to future success. E-commerce has come to cover a number of different shopping methods, and industry professionals should not assume they simply need one e-commerce solution but instead several solutions that fit their patrons' needs. 

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, September 25th, 2013 at 8:56 am .

After merchants sell their goods in a brick-and-mortar store, transactions are typically finished after customers receive their receipt. An attendant might help them load their groceries into their vehicle, but the exchange is otherwise finished. In the world of e-commerce, though, the point of sale is just part of a series of steps to completing a transaction, and those additional parts can be key to providing a great shopping experience. From mailing options to pickup dates, industry professionals have a number of obligations to their customers.

Beyond the point of sale
Notably, a comScore and UPS study found that the POS is one of the most important aspects to online shopping, so retailers should not shirk this part of the journey. Eighty-three percent of respondents said that they were satisfied with their Web experience, with ease of check-out ranking as the primary reason why they were pleased.

However, the report indicated that many e-commerce sites fail to provide flexible delivery dates or the ability to re-route packages. These were some of the least appreciated aspects of respondents' Internet shopping, with satisfaction ranking below 50 percent. The lack of green packaging or a specific delivery time were viewed in a similar manner.

While the U.S. Department of Commerce noted that e-commerce only accounted for 5.8 percent of total retail sales in Q2 of 2013, it is also the fastest growing branch of retail – it has expanded by 18.4 percent between Q2 2012 and Q2 2013. Meanwhile, online purchases are expected to exceed $200 billion by 2013 or 2014. As such, merchants have a great opportunity here to reap the benefits of an expanding market by increasing customer satisfaction in areas that other retailers have yet to fully tap. Adding more delivery options and choices for green packaging may help them stand out to savvy consumers and potentially win their loyalty. 

More than just e-commerce
Merchants should also ensure that their e-commerce sites are mobile optimized, as the comScore study noted that 7 out of 10 online shoppers use mobile devices while engaging with Internet retailers. With smartphone and tablet ownership surging every year, multi-channel retail POS software that functions across a variety of operating systems and screen sizes will be critical to future success. E-commerce has come to cover a number of different shopping methods, and industry professionals should not assume they simply need one e-commerce solution but instead several solutions that fit their patrons' needs. 

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, September 25th, 2013 at 8:56 am .

While price remains an important reason why customers will choose one brand over another, it is not the sole sales point, as powerful luxury brands help show. So it may come as little surprise to retail industry professionals that convenience is another considerable factor when shoppers are choosing which merchant to frequent. 

Increasingly, that choice is based not on how fast the check-out line is, but instead where the retailer operates. For many United Kingdom shoppers, that means mobile commerce. While the channel is important in many regions, Capgemini and IMRG discovered that m-commerce represents all online sales growth in the U.K. Their study revealed that online sales via desktops have flat-lined, while purchases have surged by 210 percent on smartphones and 130 percent on tablets between Q2 2012 and Q3 2013. 

While convenience factors into the trend, Mobile Commerce Press reported that improved mobile security may also be driving sales. Just as with brick-and-mortar stores, making customers feel comfortable can encourage their loyalty as well as their willingness to complete a transaction. The news source emphasized that mobile-optimized e-commerce sites and an overall good experience encourages repeat purchases. 

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, September 25th, 2013 at 6:45 am .

 The 2013 Retail Pro Global Conference is quickly approaching, and attending merchants can catch up with the latest trends in the retail industry while networking with their peers in Barcelona, Spain. Staying competitive means staying knowledgeable, and the conference will address a variety of important topics relating to omnichannel and mobile retail. 

Divided into two parts, the Business Partner Summit is scheduled for October 18-20, while the Customer Summit will be held October 20-22. To see the full scope of the event, merchants can read the agenda at https://www.retailpro.com/Community/2013Conference/Agenda.php.

Customers will be able to hear from Neil McKeown, Vice President of Product and Process Management at Retail Pro International, as he presents "Gain Insight with Business Intelligence." Participating merchants will learn about the decisions that can help them expand their operations by turning data into a key component of their business strategies. 

Meanwhile, Business Partners will have the opportunity to attend the "Franchising: The Challenge And The Opportunity" with speakers Richard Kolodynski, Senior Vice President of Sales for EMEA, and Shaff Kassam, Vice President of Sales for Latin America. The presentation will help them understand some of the core strategies to smoothly managing franchises while avoiding potential difficulties. 

Register now for the 2013 Global Conference at https://www.retailpro.com/Community/2013Conference/Registration.php.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, September 24th, 2013 at 7:30 am .

With widespread broadband and free WiFi, as well as the proliferation of mobile devices, e-commerce has become an even more critical component to retail industry success. People want to purchase products and services anywhere and at any time, and merchants must change with this evolution in shopping. But beyond providing an online store, retailers must also create an inviting, user-friendly interface for their patrons.  

Retail professionals interested in adding e-commerce capabilities to their operations or who want to improve their current tools can implement Retail Pro E-Commerce platform to enhance their online presence. Merchants will have the opportunity to learn more about the solution on Thursday, September 26, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. PDT. Registration information can be found at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/385309354.

Neil McKeown, Product Manager for Retail Pro E-Commerce and Retail Pro Business Intelligence, will discuss the solution's benefits to the industry. He will guide participants through the module's seamless integration with the Retail Pro suite, as well as how merchants can build a web store from the ground up. 

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Monday, September 23rd, 2013 at 8:06 am .

For many retailers, millennials are the prime demographic for their marketing efforts. As a large population with growing influence and purchasing power, millennials' importance to the retail industry will only increase in the coming years and attracting their business will be a critical component to brand strategies. However, some traditional merchants may be concerned that this marketing shift will result in further reliance on e-commerce.

An NPD Group study found that millennials conduct 81 percent of their retail shopping in brick-and-mortar stores. By comparison, only 19 percent of their purchases occur online.

Notably, millennials do not typically buy high-priced items. Even among affluent members of the generation earning more than $75,000 annually, luxury purchases rarely exceed $250 for a single item. But while millennials avoid extravagant expenses, they are frequent shoppers, with 53 percent of them browsing store aisles nearly every week.

To best attract this generation, the NPD Group suggested tailoring product selection and marketing through social and online channels. By doing so, merchants can create an integrated shopping experience that flows from a customer's initial interest to the point of sale.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Friday, September 20th, 2013 at 2:06 pm .

Finding new ways to reach customers and create a better shopping experience often means getting another perspective, and sometimes, it is just nice to get away. Retail industry professionals will have the opportunity for both in October at the 2013 Retail Pro Global Conference. While there, they will be able to enjoy sunny and historic Barcelona, Spain, as they network with their peers from around the world.

Split into two parts, the Retail Pro Global Conference Business Partner Summit will be held on October 18 – 20, while the Customer Summit is scheduled for October 20 – 22. Participants will learn about a range of strategies and retail trends that can help them improve their business, boost customer satisfaction and increase revenue. 

Customers will hear from Dan Jablons, Principal and Consultant at Retail Smart Guys, who will present "3 Simple Tweaks To Your Business That Bring In Cash!," which focus on three small adjustments merchants can make to enhance their profitability. 

Meanwhile, Ket Venethongkham, Director of Retail Pro University, Pete Latona, Retail Pro Vice President of Sales for North America and Bill Colley, Retail Pro Senior Vice President of Development, will all help Business Partners with "Solving the 25 Most Common Pitfalls" that can affect their operations. 

To ensure their spot at the upcoming conference, Business Partners and Customers should register now at https://www.retailpro.com/Community/2013Conference/Registration.php.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, September 19th, 2013 at 11:06 am .

With the increasing number of mobile devices available to consumers, many retail industry professionals are considering how to use this technology and its related trends within their industry. Organizations that don't do this may find themselves playing catch up against savvy companies that have integrated smartphones, apps and other modern innovations into their business strategies. 

However, retailers should consider how these changes may benefit their companies as well as the shopping experience they offer their patrons. Just because something is popular and new does not mean that it is applicable for merchants' operations. Even if other shops have integrated certain technologies into their business, the same practice may not be appropriate for the specific market that a brand caters to. 

One common feature that many chains have added to improve the in-store experience and encourage customers to shop longer is free WiFi. Major franchises like McDonalds and Starbucks typically offer the service, and for establishments focused on dining or drink, this may be appropriate. However, for other businesses, it may not accomplish retailers' goals.

WiFi outside the food industry
For more generalized or apparel retailers, free wireless access may not be a worthwhile investment. This appears to be the case with J.C. Penney, which recently decided to end its WiFi program, according to BuzzFeed. A company representative informed the source that only a few customers were using the service, and ending the initiative will save the chain $7 million annually. 

BuzzFeed speculated that many patrons may not be aware that they can use a store's wireless network. Fortune highlighted that Macy's added the service, but it didn't advertise it in the store. This could be affecting why shoppers are not using in-store WiFi, and brands that emphasize it could see more return on their investment. 

However, wireless initiatives can improve the functionality of branded apps and enable the use of mobile payment methods at the point of sale. Rather than relying on uncertain 4G or 3G reception, stores can ensure their customers are fully able to use their smartphones while shopping. Companies that offer WiFi can expand their data-gathering efforts and customer customization endeavors, but only if they are prepared to do so. 

Before integrating new, potentially costly, services to a chain's standard operation, decision-makers should consider how it applies to customers and staff members, and what additional steps may be necessary to enhance their implementation throughout the business. 

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, September 19th, 2013 at 5:56 am .