The primary task of a smartphone or tablet is to display content and messages for users. This can be in the form of an email, a social media profile, a news article or any other piece of information. As the use of mobile devices continues to grow, especially within the retail industry, businesses are now looking at how they can broadcast messages and details about their products and services through the gadgets to potential and existing customers. By taking this approach, merchants can ensure that they are reaching out to consumers through the channel they prefer. Additionally, retailers are able to bring in more revenue through mobile sales, and by implementing mobile point of sale options, they can capture repeat business and increase patron satisfaction. 

Mobile purchases keep rising
It's now widely known throughout the retail sector that the mobile channel is not going anywhere anytime soon. In fact, the use of smartphones and tablets keeps rising, as consumers prefer the convenience and quick transactions that the gadgets provide. Internet Retailer reported that technology provider Branding Brand studied 18 merchants that currently have mobile commerce strategies in place, and found that purchases made through the devices reached a total of 17.6 percent of overall sales, accounting for $31.7 million for the 18 companies in June. The source explained that these figures are expected to increase in the coming years, as businesses put more focus on promoting their mobile channels and consumers prefer to browse and shop using their devices.

Merchants move to boost mobile traffic
Many reports, such as the one produced by Branding Brand, have pointed to mobile commerce growth within the retail industry. As companies have learned of the importance that mobile can play for making their operations successful, more merchants are putting more time, effort and money into developing mobile elements for their customers.

The National Retail Federation noted that a study by Shop.org revealed that 87 percent of retailers surveyed stated that they currently or plan to have methods in place for optimizing their email messages for smartphones and tablets. Paid search is another strategy that is receiving more attention, as seven in 10 companies will implement this into their current mobile operations.

By developing these types of elements, merchants can ensure that their mobile channels capture new business and satisfy existing patrons. In addition, by adopting mobile point of sale solutions, retailers will be able to quickly process transactions from mobile consumers, helping to build brand loyalty.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013 at 7:22 am .

Even though the Fourth of July was less than two weeks ago and the summer is not yet over, many parents are thinking ahead to the upcoming school year. For retailers, this means stocking their shelves with school-related items to prepare for the influx of customers. However, several estimates on the back-to-school shopping season are varied.

According to Reuters, many merchants throughout the United States are ordering less school-related inventory this year, after a sluggish winter season and fluctuating consumer spending levels have pointed to potentially stagnant back-to-school sales. The source explained that because the upcoming shopping period is the busiest only behind the holiday season, retailers want to make sure they don't order too much merchandise that they will later have to mark down. Analysts interviewed by the news source stated that while retail sales will increase in the coming weeks, it won't be a "blowout year."

On the other hand, CNBC reported that a lower unemployment rate and higher consumer confidence will contribute to a strong back-to-school shopping season. Last year, merchants brought in $84 billion throughout the seven week period, and while spending may vary this year, more parents are willing to purchase the necessary school items for their children, which could lead to increased sales, the source noted.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Monday, July 22nd, 2013 at 5:32 pm .

Big data is a term that is everywhere these days – it has permeated a variety of sectors, and the retail industry is no exception. Other organizations may deal with various data points pertaining to their individual operations, and retailers must focus on the information that is pertinent to their processes. This includes data about inventory, revenues, market changes, and, perhaps most important, customers. Information about shoppers is one of the most vital elements for merchants, as it gives them a better view into what kinds of consumers are interested in their products and services. The other data points are beneficial as well, because without them retailers would not know which aspects of their operations are performing optimally and which ones need improvement.

Retailers shouldn't be scared of big data
When merchants hear the word 'big data,' some may think the process of collecting, storing and analyzing the information is overwhelming and time-consuming. However, with the right solutions such as retail management software, businesses can gather a plethora of valuable details from all of their procedures, including point of sale, inventory processing and marketing strategies, to name a few.

ZDNet explored several myths that surround big data within retail, and the source found that any concerns over the term can be dispelled with some understanding. The source explained that one element that companies may be worried about is the 'big' part of big data – mainly how only larger organizations should deal with this aspect. However, the provider noted that the size is not the issue, and instead merchants should focus on gathering and analyzing the information they have at hand and ignore the 'big' factor.

Additionally, many companies look at big data and business intelligence and the correlation between the two. The source asserted that although the two are not significantly related now, they will be in the near future and merchants should prepare for that reality. This means that retailers' abilities to collect and study their data points will soon have an impact on their business intelligence.

Ecommerce relies on big data
Besides providing more insight into operations, big data also gives retailers the opportunity to improve their sales processes, both in stores and online. For example, Experian QAS wrote that many merchants have made significant enhancements to their ecommerce methods through the use of big data. This has been done through increased personalization, better mobile strategies and even fraud detection, the source noted.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Monday, July 22nd, 2013 at 5:31 pm .

Before the Internet became commonplace in all areas of daily life, retailers had only a few options to generate awareness about their products and services as well as build customer loyalty. Magazine advertisements, paper coupons and other outdated methods were widely used by businesses to draw in consumers. However, that has all changed now thanks to the Web.

Shoppers are increasingly going online to search for, compare and buy the merchandise they want. And retailers, for the most part, are adapting to this shift by implementing solutions and platforms that cater to patrons' ecommerce needs, whether they are using their home computers or mobile devices. Besides offering more Web-based options for consumers, retailers should also focus on updating their customer loyalty programs so that shoppers can take advantage of discounts and deals both inside and outside of stores.

Mobile means loyalty on-the-go
Now that people are utilizing the Internet on a daily basis, mobile devices have given them the tools they need to not only stay connected at all times, but also interact with retail brands whenever they want. For this reason, smartphones and gadgets have become strong focuses for merchants as they determine how to use the technology to boost loyalty.

In fact, research from EpiServer revealed that 61 percent of brands surveyed stated they currently have mobile strategies in place. The study also found that these initiatives are resulting more in increased customer loyalty rather than a higher number of transactions completed through devices, CMA Wire reported. For merchants, this means that smartphones and tablets play a vital role in generating awareness about their offerings and helps draw in customers.

Another benefit of mobile uncovered by EpiServer is that mobile technology can be used to create more personalized messages for patrons. This is another elements that lends itself to better brand loyalty, as shoppers want to feel that their business is valued and appreciated. Retailers that gather data about their customers and then use that information to craft relevant and engaging content for consumers are sure to see higher retention and loyalty rates, the source asserted.

It's all about reimagining loyalty
Retail-Digital wrote that merchants must look at their needs and goals to determine which mobile strategies best benefit their operations. Consumer demands will continue to change frequently, and brands must revisit their loyalty methods to ensure that all aspects are meeting customers' desires.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Monday, July 22nd, 2013 at 9:17 am .

The past several months have been positive in terms of consumer confidence and spending, as economic conditions continue to improve and individuals feel better about their own finances. However, the latest data shows that these levels have remained relatively stagnant, signaling that Americans are still somewhat hesitant about their retail spending.

According to Bloomberg, the most recent Consumer Sentiment Index from Thomson Reuters and the University of Michigan decreased from 84.1 in June to 83.9 this month. While it's not a sharp decline, it is below the five-year high of 84.7 that was seen in May, the news source explained. However, despite the drop, analysts expect the index to increase in the coming months.

"It's a slip in confidence from recent highs rather than the start of a new downward," TD Securities Strategist Gennadiy Goldberg told the source. "As we get later in the year and the economy improves, consumers will start to see better numbers and they'll notice that."

On the other hand, consumer spending remained the same in June, Gallup Economy reported. A study by the source revealed that the average amount spent daily came in at $90 last month, which is the same figure from May. It is better than the average of $86 that was spent each day in April, the source explained.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Friday, July 19th, 2013 at 6:06 pm .

Retailers are constantly looking for ways to better connect with their patrons, as this can help significantly boost sales and establish loyalty. One tool that merchants have at their disposal is the plethora of customer data garnered when purchases are made, websites are visited and feedback is provided. However, without the right solution in place, businesses could find that they are not effectively leveraging this information for their benefit.

PC World reported that although companies have a large amount of customer details in their possession, they aren't sure what exactly to do with it to improve their service strategies and better engage shoppers. The source cited research from Yesmail Interactive, which found that only 29 percent of businesses know what their customers' preferred products and services are. In addition, 27 percent know the household composition – such as gender, age and names – of their shoppers, the source noted.

And it's not for lack of information that respondents don't know these factors, the news source pointed out. It's because companies aren't sure what to with the data they have in their hands. Fortunately, solutions such as retail management software can collect, store and analyze information throughout the entire purchasing process, from browsing through products to the actual point of sale.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Friday, July 19th, 2013 at 6:04 pm .

Researching and choosing the right retail management software can sometimes be a difficult task for businesses. They have to consider their own unique needs, what capabilities they want the technology to have and how it will fit into their current operations. Fortunately, with this week's Retail Pro 9 webinar, merchants will get all of these answers and more by attending the online event featuring the comprehensive and streamlined platform.

The webinar will take place on Thursday, July 18, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. PDT. Registration information can be found at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/433704618.

So what can attendees expect to see at the Retail Pro 9 webinar? Director of Retail Pro University Ket Venethongkham will be presenting the event, and he will give a detailed demonstration and discussion on the software platform. He will talk about how Retail Pro 9's can give companies more insight into their operations through its robust reporting capabilities. The technology allows merchants to effectively manage their point of sale and checkout processes, creating greater convenience for customers and businesses alike. Attendees will also learn about how Retail Pro 9 provides retailers with greater control over their inventory procedures.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Friday, July 19th, 2013 at 6:03 pm .

Keeping customers satisfied is a goal that all retailers aspire to. There are many strategies and methods that merchants use to make their patrons happy, but perhaps one tool that many businesses may not know can help in this regard is their employees. Having engaged staff members means that more effort is put into answering customer inquiries and quickly resolving issues, ultimately leading to higher patron retention and loyalty.

Many retailers have boosted their hiring efforts recently, which gives them better opportunities to develop engaged workers that help with customer satisfaction. Chain Store Age reported that recent data from the National Retail Federation showed that U.S. retailers added approximately 28,000 jobs throughout June, an indicator that strong growth for the industry is on the horizon.

So how can merchants successfully engage new and existing employees to spur customer satisfaction? Retail Week suggested that properly training staff members on what behaviors are expected of them and how to effectively deal with patrons is the first step. Additionally, the source recommended frequently updating workers on new consumer trends and demands so that they can be proactive in responding to customer inquiries and issues.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Friday, July 19th, 2013 at 6:03 pm .

Although mobile technology is still relatively new to the retail industry, the impact it has had is significant. This can be seen through the consumers who prefer to browse for, compare and purchase products through their devices, both in stores and online. For this reason, it is vital that merchants develop effective mobile strategies for their patrons, or else risk losing valuable business due to poor experiences on smartphones and tablets.

Business 2 Community took a look at what can happen to a business that creates a less-than-stellar mobile experience. Citing a study from ResearchNow, the source noted there are several elements that, when combined, make for a poor mobile experience for customers. For one, when a website is not optimized for viewing on smartphones and tablets, consumers can get easily frustrated and abandon their purchases. Additionally, navigation tools that are too complicated are another factor that turns patrons off from brands, the source explained.

The ResearchNow study revealed that 35 percent of individuals are likely to never do business with a retailer that offers a bad mobile experience. This is a significant number of consumers, meaning that retailers should make the move now to develop their strategies and implement solutions that cater to mobile consumers. Mobile point of sale software and loyalty programs that can be accessed via devices are some of the best ways to enhance customers' experiences.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, July 16th, 2013 at 7:32 pm .

Every day, merchants collect, store and analyze a variety of data pertaining to their operations. This can be information about their financial processes, their marketing strategies or inventory procedures, to name a few. One type of data that is especially crucial for retailers are the details relating to their customers, such as name, address, past purchases and preferred communication channels. While businesses may gather this kind of information already, there's a strong chance that they are not fully leveraging it to enhance their customer management methods.

Patron information gives merchants the ability to get a better look at who is buying products, how they like to pay at point-of-sale and through which platforms they like to interact with companies. Having this knowledge and the ability to collect and analyze it is vital if retailers want to see their operations succeed.

It's all about personalization
There are many advantages of keeping track of customer data, but perhaps the biggest benefit is increasing retail sales through personalization. By collecting information, analyzing it to determine how to best reach consumers and then putting those plans into action, merchants can significantly boost their sales by making shoppers feel more valued through personalized content and interactions.

Internet Retailer reported that research from Infosys revealed that personalization is what customers want, and it is an important part of their decision to make future purchases from brands. More than three-quarters of respondents (78 percent) to the survey stated they would be willing to continue to buy merchandise from a business that provided them with offers relevant to their interests, needs and past purchases. Seventy-one percent said location-based discounts and deals would sway them to frequent a brand, the source noted.

What to avoid when going personal
As merchants begin to see the vital role that personalization strategies can play for their customer retention and loyalty methods, they will start to develop their own techniques for making more personal connections with shoppers. However, what patrons want from personalized interactions differs from company to company. The good news is that there are several things that retailers should avoid when making the move to personalization, as suggested by iMediaConnection.

The source advised that first, businesses should not use customer information without permission. Doing this could result in a lost patron or a damaged brand reputation. Next, the source recommended that frequently revisiting personalization strategies to make changes and improvements is needed. As consumer demands change, so too will their preferences toward interactions with retailers.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, July 16th, 2013 at 7:30 pm .