Staying on top of the latest trends and topics that are impacting the retail industry is something that all merchants aim for. Knowing what's going on within the sector gives brands the benefit of keeping ahead of competitors and offering the best shopping experience for patrons. For Retail Pro Customers and Business Partners, they will have the chance to learn about everything related to current and future retail operations at this year's Global Conference in Barcelona, Spain.

The Business Partner Summit is scheduled for October 18 – 20, with the Customer Summit taking place October 20-22. At both events, the topics of mobile and omnichannel retail will be covered in discussions and keynote speeches.

Business Partners will be able to hear Edwin Boelens, EMEA Channel Manager at Elo Touch Solutions, talk about how merchants are taking an omnichannel approach to operations in order to improve the customer experience. During this summit, attendees will also get to listen to Retail Pro's Director of Product Management Kevin Connor and Director of Retail Pro University Ket Venethongkham speak about how mobile is changing POS solutions.

Customers will also get the opportunity to join discussions of these hot topics, notably by attending "The future of POS – Mobile and Omnichannel" presented by President EMEA at Elo Touch Solutions, Servaas Kamerling.

Registration information for the Retail Pro Global Conference can be found at https://www.retailpro.com/Community/2013Conference/Registration.php.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, September 3rd, 2013 at 5:23 am .

Technological innovations are everywhere these days. With the advent of the Internet, people are now more connected than ever before, and devices like smartphones and tablets have changed the way individuals conduct their daily lives. Now, the retail industry is also shifting due to new technology, as consumers are using various channels and gadgets to get their shopping done.

As as a result, many merchants have implemented or plan to use point of sale solutions that accept all payment forms from customers, whether they are paying with cash, card or even their mobile devices. For this reason, it is imperative that businesses ensure they use secure POS systems – otherwise, they risk losing valuable customers if information is compromised or lost.

Several security obstacles remain
Although retailers do take steps to keep their POS solutions and customer data safe, there are still challenges that linger in this regard. These were recently highlighted in a report released by McAfee and the IHL Group, and one of the first obstacles revealed is the fact that some merchants do not have controls in place to address POS security concerns when something happens. This is one reason why costs related to security issues continue to increase, the source explained.

For larger brands, the study found there is no specific method being used by companies to keep POS systems secure. Some retailers are utilizing whitelisting strategies, while others are employing antivirus software to safeguard their technology. However, one positive trend that the research pointed out is that merchants are paying more attention to POS security and are taking steps to ensure all information – both operational and customer-related – remains safe.

Security provides streamlined experiences
In the end, it all comes to down to excellent shopper experiences, the report asserted. As consumer connectivity increases, patrons will be looking for fast and streamlined interactions with brands.

"Consumers are only looking for one thing – a consistent shopping experience," the source stated. "This could be from a variety of devices or from a range of locations. The consumer just wants to be able to buy anywhere, fulfill anywhere and return anywhere."

Fortunately, with the right POS software and some dedication, brands can make sure that transactions remain secure while at the same time having policies and procedures in place to address any issues that arise.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, August 29th, 2013 at 10:29 am .

Barcelona, Spain, has lots to offer – sunny weather, scrumptious food and various attractions to name just a few. In October, the city will play host to one exciting event – the Retail Pro Global Conference. Retail industry professionals from all over the world will converge on Barcelona to learn about the latest trends, network with colleagues and see first hand what the newest innovative solutions are providing for the sector.

The Retail Pro Global Conference is divided into two parts – the Business Partner Summit will take place from October 18 – 20, and the Customer Summit will follow from October 20 – 22. Throughout both events, a wide variety of topics will be covered that relate to the retail industry and how it is evolving and changing.

For example, at the Customer Summit, attendees will have the chance to listen to guest speakers and Retail Pro executives discuss many factors, including business intelligence tools and how they can significantly improve operations as well as the latest news on mobile commerce and how it is reshaping the industry. The full Customer agenda can be found at https://www.retailpro.com/Community/2013Conference/Agenda.php.

All of this and much more will be at the Retail Pro Global Conference, so Business Partners and Customers should sign up now at https://www.retailpro.com/Community/2013Conference/Registration.php to reserve a spot!

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, August 28th, 2013 at 10:54 am .

Ecommerce is rising significantly in markets all over the world as a top sales channel, and one of the regions that has seen the greatest growth in online purchases is Europe. Recent research estimated that ecommerce sales will increase sharply in the coming years, as consumers take to the Web to enjoy the convenience that the shopping channel offers. In addition, more merchants will be paying attention to this trend and will implement solutions to accommodate online patrons, contributing to the expected rise.

Internet Retailer reported that a study conducted by Germany Trade & Invest revealed that ecommerce will continue its widespread growth in Europe over the next four years. In 2012, a total of €112 billion ($149.5 billion) was spent online, and the research anticipates that figure will jump to €191 billion ($254.9 billion) in 2017. This represents a 70.5 percent increase, the news source explained.

As ecommerce continues its upward trajectory within Europe, merchants may want to implement the right solutions to help them attract new business and retain existing customers who prefer to shop online. Retail management software platforms can help brands oversee all operations, both in store and on the Web. In addition, point of sale technology ensures that businesses are able to quickly process transactions no matter which channel consumers are using.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, August 28th, 2013 at 8:35 am .

Prepared in conjunction with Merchant Warehouse

1. You ignore it and, therefore, do nothing. You may not realize it, but showrooming already has a direct impact on your bottom line today. According to L2, 58% of smartphone owners regularly go to a store with the sole intention of trying on or testing products before buying them online. This also means you can't ignore e-commerce, either. People want to be able to buy from any channel, and they want a quality customer experience wherever and whenever they choose to stop. Did we mention they're always keeping an eye out for that best deal, too?

2. Skip the training. Sales staff will be gone in a week anyway. Yikes, big mistake. The reality is this won't save you any time or resources; knowledgeable associates are what keep your real estate investment working for you. Train and cross train them. Empower them to be there for your customers and help with what is needed. In some cases, that might even include deploying a mobile POS.

3. You panic when you see people on their phones. It's easy to assume a customer checking their phone when standing in front of a big ticket item means they're checking prices elsewhere. Don't panic. This actually presents you with a very unique opportunity to share more information about the product you're selling and why buying it in-store makes a difference. Offering coupons and loyalty programs is something to consider, as well.

4. Loyalty cards? Smoyalty cards. What a waste of paper. Differentiating your in-store shopping experience with perks like loyalty programs and rewards can sometimes be the deciding factor between shopping online or in your store. There are plenty of options available to make the customer feel appreciated beyond loyalty programs, too, like free shipping on orders placed in store or easy returns.

5. I did fine last year; I'm just going to do the same thing. I don't need any new technology capabilities. This is nearly as bad as ignoring showrooming all together. As the retailer, you have the ability to dictate the customer's experience, and customer preferences are changing. So why not leverage new technologies and capabilities to enhance the shopper's experience, making it fun and interactive? Combine the expertise you offer with in-store technology like digital signage and virtual tools, and leverage things like QR codes that automatically send 'price-advantage' coupons to your shopper's phone. This can make all the difference.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, August 27th, 2013 at 10:05 am .

Smartphones and tablets are no longer just tools that allow users to stay in touch with contacts or work remotely – they are now being increasingly used for shopping. Whether it's patrons paying with their devices at brick-and-mortar locations or consumers using the gadgets to browse for and purchase items while on the go, it's no longer a secret that mobile is taking the sector by storm.

According to recently released research by comScore, mobile commerce grew 24 percent year-over-year in the second quarter. This represents a total of $4.7 billion spent through the gadgets, the study revealed. Apparel and accessories were the most bought products through mobile commerce, while computer hardware and digital content followed behind, comScore found.

To give an example of how prevalent mobile is within the retail industry, a study by Placed Inc discovered that a significant amount of back-to-school shoppers are using the devices to research, compare and purchase their supplies for the upcoming school year. Internet Retailer reported that the research revealed almost half (48 percent) of patrons are accessing coupons and deals with their gadgets, and 20 percent are actually buying items through their smartphones and tablets.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, August 27th, 2013 at 10:04 am .

With the back-to-school season underway and the busiest shopping period of the year fast approaching with the upcoming holidays, U.S. retailers have a lot to look forward to. However, a less-than-stellar first half of 2013 has dampened merchants' optimism, as sales figures dropped slightly.

Advertising Age explained that many retailers are expressing caution about the second six months of the year following a dismal performance between January and June. Big-name brands such as Target, Kohl's and Macy's have reported lower sales and traffic, both in stores and online. There are several reasons for these declines, including higher payroll taxes and a fluctuating housing market, the source noted.

Despite this, businesses are ramping up their promotional efforts in preparation for the busy holiday shopping season. The news provider stated that Macy's is increasing its marketing strategies in the hope of attracting customers with its message that the brand offers a great deal on its products.

More businesses will certainly be following suit in the coming weeks to boost their revenues, and to handle the influx of customers both online and in their stores, merchants can use retail management software to oversee all of their operations.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Monday, August 26th, 2013 at 5:08 pm .

With the back-to-school season underway and the busiest shopping period of the year fast approaching with the upcoming holidays, U.S. retailers have a lot to look forward to. However, a less-than-stellar first half of 2013 has dampened merchants' optimism, as sales figures dropped slightly.

Advertising Age explained that many retailers are expressing caution about the second six months of the year following a dismal performance between January and June. Big-name brands such as Target, Kohl's and Macy's have reported lower sales and traffic, both in stores and online. There are several reasons for these declines, including higher payroll taxes and a fluctuating housing market, the source noted.

Despite this, businesses are ramping up their promotional efforts in preparation for the busy holiday shopping season. The news provider stated that Macy's is increasing its marketing strategies in the hope of attracting customers with its message that the brand offers a great deal on its products.

More businesses will certainly be following suit in the coming weeks to boost their revenues, and to handle the influx of customers both online and in their stores, merchants can use retail management software to oversee all of their operations.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Monday, August 26th, 2013 at 5:08 pm .

Economic conditions have been steadily improving throughout the United Kingdom, which is welcome news following the damaging recession the country experienced over the past few years. Retail sales have been a strong driver of growth in the U.K., and ecommerce is one factor that has contributed to sales increases during the past few years.

However, a recent study from Capgemini and Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG) found that in July, Web sales grew by only 9 percent year-over-year, representing the weakest rise in more than three years. Internet Retailer reported that the study revealed a 2 percent decrease between June and last month's online retail sales. This is the first monthly decline Capgemini and IMRG have found since beginning this study 13 years ago.

Despite these poor results, analysts said that the first half of 2013 was still a success for online merchants, as sales increased 16 percent from the first six months of 2012, the source noted.

Things could look up for ecommerce retailers as the holiday shopping season quickly approaches. To deal with the influx of customers and increased sales, businesses can use retail management software to ensure all of their online and in-store operations are running as smoothly as possible.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Friday, August 23rd, 2013 at 11:51 am .

Smartphones and tablets are infiltrating consumers' daily lives, allowing them to complete a variety of tasks from anywhere and at anytime. Now, retail brands are joining in on the trend by adopting these devices to keep their operations running. One way in which merchants are using the gadgets is to provide customers with a reliable and fast point of sale solution.

Mobile Payments Today reported that, according to the Local Commerce Monitor from BIA/Kelsey, 40 percent of companies said they currently accept mobile payments. In addition, 16 percent of respondents stated they have plans to adopt mobile POS technology throughout the next year.

Retail Digital wrote that new POS systems could pave the way for a new retail experience. Giving shoppers the ability to pay with their mobile devices or allow them to purchase items from anywhere on the sales floor not only brings in more revenue for merchants, but also contributes to higher customer satisfaction and retention.

For retailers that want to improve patron loyalty and boost sales, implementing POS solutions that offer quick and streamlined transactions is one of the best strategies for accomplishing these goals.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Friday, August 23rd, 2013 at 10:01 am .