In the past, visiting brick-and-mortar locations or browsing through merchants' catalogs were two of the top shopping methods used by customers. And while storefronts are still heavily preferred by many patrons, ecommerce is steadily gaining a foothold within the retail industry. With online shopping, consumers are able to research, compare and purchase products from any place and at any time, providing them with more convenience. This helps to boost customer retention and loyalty, meaning that merchants can leverage ecommerce solutions to increase their revenue.

As the shopping channel continues to grow, businesses that have yet to implement technology to provide Web options for patrons risk falling behind the competition. Fortunately, with the help of retail management software solutions, companies can ensure they are accommodating valuable customers who prefer to shop online.

Second quarter sees strong ecommerce growth
Recent retail sales data highlights the increasing importance of ecommerce within the industry. Internet Retailer reported that, according to statistics released by the U.S. Department of Commerce, there was an 18.4 percent jump in online sales between Q2 2013 and Q2 2012. This represents the strongest quarterly growth for ecommerce since the end of 2007, the source explained.

The source spoke with several retail industry experts to get their take on the uptick in ecommerce, and the majority asserted that the channel is here to stay. The news provider pointed out several reasons for the growing popularity of online shopping, one of which is social media. These networks give brands a valuable tool for communicating with patrons and promoting their products. Additionally, the source noted that mobile device point of sale solutions are encouraging more Web purchases, which is expected to continue into the future.

Ecommerce helping US economy
The spike in online retail sales is not only enhancing merchants' revenues, but it is also helping to improve the U.S. economy. A total of $64.6 billion was spent through the Web in Q2 2013, which is providing a boost to the nation's still-recovering economy. During the recession, many retailers saw their sales plummet, and although conditions are still not exactly where they were before the downturn, ecommerce is giving merchants a more optimistic outlook for the coming months.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, August 22nd, 2013 at 6:24 am .

Nearly everything is online today, and that includes the retail industry. Consumers are increasingly preferring to get their shopping done through the Web, as it offers more convenience. As a result, merchants are now adopting the technology needed to accommodate their customers.

Retail Pro E-Commerce is just the solution that can help businesses improve their online processes and offerings. Industry professionals who are interested in learning all about the platform and how it can help them develop successful Web operations can sign up for tomorrow's Retail Pro E-Commerce webinar, taking place from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Registration information can be found at  https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/900568706.

With this solution, merchants can create their own websites from scratch to fit their needs, or they can choose from pre-designed templates. Companies can also manage their point of sale processes, inventory procedures and a variety of other online elements with Retail Pro E-Commerce. All of these features and more will be discussed in detail during tomorrow's webinar.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, August 21st, 2013 at 11:28 am .

Ecommerce has taken the retail industry by storm. Consumers are increasingly going online to browse for, compare and buy the products they want. For this reason, merchants have adopted technology that allows them to offer online shopping to their customers. However, not all brands have seen success when it comes to their ecommerce efforts. Fortunately, with the help of retail management software solutions, companies can make sure their Web shopping platforms bring in new business.

Forbes stated that for some merchants, the time, effort and money put into developing ecommerce operations has not been worth it. This could be because some retailers have a hard time ensuring their platforms are up and running, in addition to running into issues delivering products to customers in a timely manner and offering the best prices while still being able to turn a profit. Because of this, some brands have relied solely on their brick-and-mortar locations to sell their merchandise, but this is becoming increasingly difficult as many consumers now prefer to shop online.

However, retail management software can give merchants the tools they need to oversee all aspects of their online operations, such as point of sale processes, inventory procedures and customer loyalty initiatives, among other factors. By doing this, brands stand a better chance of making their ecommerce efforts successful.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, August 21st, 2013 at 6:14 am .

Feeling recognized and appreciated is something that many people want, even when shopping with their favorite brands. Knowing their business is valued is a vital element in customer retention, so many brands are now stepping up their efforts to implement solutions that provide them with the tools needed for making patron interactions more engaging.

Luckily, using retail management software to collect, store and analyze data about consumers is an effective way to accomplish merchants' retention goals. Big data, as it's formally known, has provided companies in a variety of sectors with essential resources for improving business operations and strategies. For the retail industry, perhaps one of the best methods in which big data can be used is by enhancing personalization, according to ZDNet.

Leveraging big data to develop more personalized marketing messages that include product preferences based on past purchases can keep customers coming back, the source explained. But the technology is not limited to just digital interactions – brands can gather and use shopper data to make suggestions while patrons are in brick-and-mortar locations as well.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, August 20th, 2013 at 12:12 pm .

Offering ecommerce platforms for shoppers has become an essential part of retail industry operations. Many shoppers now prefer to go online to purchase the products they want, and in addition to providing patrons with Web options, brands also need to ensure they have the right solutions to keep their ecommerce efforts up and running successfully.

With Retail Pro E-Commerce, merchants can have just that, as the solution allows retailers to effectively manage all of their Web-based procedures. Retail industry professionals who are interested in learning all about the solution can sign up for this week's Retail Pro E-Commerce webinar, taking place on Thursday, August 22, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. PDT. Registration information can be found at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/900568706.

Neil McKeown, Product Manager for Retail Pro E-Commerce and Retail Pro Business Intelligence, will give a live demonstration of the solution. Some of the topics that will be covered include the system's ability to track both in-store and web sales as well as monitor inventory and customer management initiatives, among other factors. With Retail Pro E-Commerce, merchants can also develop their Web pages from scratch or choose from pre-designed templates.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, August 20th, 2013 at 11:59 am .

Retailers know that their industry is constantly changing – whether it's new technology trends, shifting sector demands or moving into additional markets, merchants are always adapting to new elements. Consumers are frequently changing as well, meaning that retailers need to be ready to accommodate shoppers' new needs and wants.

According to The Street, retail customers, both in stores and online, are no longer looking for a good price on the products they want – they are also searching for an engaging experience when shopping with their favorite brands. The source highlighted Staples, which has incorporated interactive kiosks and digital signage in its stores to give patrons a more streamlined experience to help them find merchandise. 

The source also suggested that retailers engage consumers by collecting and analyzing data that can be used to craft personalized marketing messages. This can help with merchants' retention efforts and customer loyalty campaigns.

In addition, consumers need a way to resolve their problems and get answers to their questions, and technology is not always the only solution to this issue, the source explained. Training retail employees and giving them the tools they need to answer shopper inquiries and effectively find solutions to consumers' problems is another step that brands can take to accommodate shoppers' changing needs.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Monday, August 19th, 2013 at 12:55 pm .

Customers are constantly looking for ways to make their shopping experiences more convenient, and retailers are happy to oblige. To accommodate patrons who want faster and more streamlined transactions, businesses have a wealth of tools at their disposal. But one element that has been receiving more focus from brands recently is mobile point of sale technology.

Traditional cash registers are located at fixed points throughout stores, meaning that customers have to find the products they want, walk over to the registers and often wait in line. However, with mobile POS solutions, the normal checkout process is changing. Now, employees are equipped with mobile devices that can accept credit and debit card payments, giving shoppers the chance to complete their transactions quickly from any point in the store. Retailers of all sizes are seeing this as an opportunity to leverage the technology to boost customer satisfaction and their revenue.

Small merchants taking to mobile POS
For smaller retailers, staying ahead of the competition and their larger counterparts is a vital part of operations. Fortunately, mobile POS is helping them do just that, as Media Post reported that the technology is becoming more popular with developing retailers. The source cited research from the Local Commerce Monitor by BIA/Kelsey, which found that 40 percent of small companies are currently using mobile POS systems to process transactions. This is an increase from the 28 percent that said the same last year.

And while improving convenience for customers is one of the main reasons cited for adopting the technology, smaller merchants are enjoying that benefit as well.

"The key is they're not thinking of this as digital," said Steve Marshall, director of research for BIA/Kelsey. "They're not using mobile platforms because they're digital – they're using them because they're convenient."

Larger brands steadily adopting mobile POS
But the emergence of mobile POS within the retail industry is not only limited to smaller merchants – large brands are also getting in on the trend, according to Mobile Payments Today. Citing research from the Yankee Group, the source explained that 32 percent of U.S.-based retailers with more than 500 employees are currently using mobile POS systems. An additional 29 percent have plans to roll out mobile POS technology within the next year.

The source explained that analysts are expecting these solutions to continue to grow in popularity among retailers, especially as the holiday shopping season approaches. These systems provide more convenience for both consumers and merchants, which is an essential element for a great retail experience.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Monday, August 19th, 2013 at 5:14 am .

The back-to-school shopping season is in full swing, as children across the United States prepare to head back to class for another year. This means that retailers are stocking their shelves with the necessary classroom supplies and are holding out hope that their revenues increase significantly. However, during what is the second busiest shopping period behind the holiday season, merchants are not seeing the turnout they were hoping for.

The Wall Street Journal reported that several big-name retailers are already showing disappointing back-to-school sales. While the final numbers have yet to be produced, brands such as Wal-Mart, Kohl's and Nordstrom's are seeing lower than expected sales figures. The source cited research from the National Retail Federation, which forecast that back-to-school sales will decrease 12 percent this year from 2012's figures.Overall, the NRF estimated that merchants will bring in a total of $26.72 billion during 2013's back-to-school season.

PYMNTS.com also echoed retailers' concerns regarding poor sales, citing the SpendingPulse survey by MasterCard. The research found that retail sales grew 4.5 percent year-over-year last month, and while any increase is positive, it is less than the 4.7 percent boost seen in June.

Despite these dismal projections, retailers are hoping that the back-to-school season and holiday shopping period will result in a successful 2013.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Sunday, August 18th, 2013 at 4:05 pm .

There is welcome news for retailers across the United Kingdom – retail sales continue to see strong increases, as consumers and businesses alike regain their confidence in the economy. Sales volumes have risen throughout the past few months, leading analysts to expect more growth during the coming months leading up the holiday shopping season.

The Telegraph reported that data from the British Retail Consortium revealed that July's retail sales increased 2.2 percent year-over-year, marking the "best performance" since 2006. Analysts speculate that warmer weather, coupled with economic improvement and boosts in consumer confidence, resulted in the sales uptick as shoppers flocked to stores and websites to browse for and purchase merchandise last month.

The source explained that clothing and food retailers saw the most sales growth in July, followed by home improvement products, appliances and outdoor gear.

Separate data from the Office of National Statistics revealed that the quantity of retail merchandise bought also climbed in July, Stock Market Wire reported. When compared to July 2012, product quantity rose 3 percent. The source also noted that estimated weekly spending throughout all retail sectors increased to £7 billion from July 2012's figure of £6.7 billion.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, August 15th, 2013 at 11:18 am .

Smartphones and tablets are used for a variety of everyday purposes, and retailers are leveraging the technology to perform a variety of functions. As consumers increasingly turn to mobile devices for shopping, merchants are learning how to accommodate these patrons through streamlined point of sale processes and effective loyalty programs.

Point of Sale News reported that mobile loyalty initiatives are garnering more attention within the retail industry from both consumers and brands. The source cited a study by EPiServer which found that a majority of retailers that attended the Internet Retailer Conference and Exhibition stated they believe mobile technology can best be used for developing successful customer loyalty programs.

Although price competition is a concern of many brands, survey respondents felt that by offering a new and engaging experience through a mobile app or optimized website, they would be able to increase retention, the source explained. It's all about convenience, the news provider noted, as consumers who are comfortable and familiar with using a brand's mobile app are more likely to purchase from that specific merchant through their mobile device.

To help oversee all mobile processes and POS transactions, companies can use retail management software to keep track of loyalty programs, financial information and a variety of related elements.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, August 14th, 2013 at 10:07 am .