Smartphones have made their way into the retail industry, and it looks like they're here to stay. For this reason, many merchants are adopting solutions that both accommodate consumers who regularly use these mobile devices and allow for the use of these gadgets in stores. However, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to implementing smartphone options, as there are several types of this mobile device, and consumers have varying wants when it comes to using their gadgets for shopping.

Therefore, merchants need to have a better understanding of the smartphone landscape, such as what kinds are being used the most as well as what experiences users have when they bring their devices into brick-and-mortar locations and utilize them for online commerce.

Androids topped by iPhones for retail
While it may not seem incredibly important for retailers to know which types of smartphones are being used most for shopping purposes, it is actually an effective aspect to be aware of as businesses can enhance their mobile strategies to cater to individuals with the most popular phone.

According to a recent study by Forrester Research, 69 percent of consumers with iPhones use these devices to research, compare and buy retail products, Internet Retailer reported. This was more than the 53 percent of Android owners who said the same. Blackberry and Windows phones garnered 35 percent and 32 percent, respectively, Forrester found.

Sales made from mobile devices are growing significantly. The Internet Retailer Mobile 400 report, which measures sales from the top 50 merchants within the Mobile 400, revealed that purchases made through mobile devices increased 100 percent in 2012 from the previous year, accounting for $10.57 billion, the source noted.

Mobile experience not up to par
A separate article by Internet Retailer cited research by Skava, which found that of 2,085 smartphones owners who use their gadgets to shop, 88 percent have had negative experiences when engaging in mcommerce. Of that amount, 30 percent of respondents said a bad experience on a retailer's mobile site will turn them off from doing business with that brand again.

These findings pinpoint just how important it is to develop mobile strategies for device-carrying consumers. Merchants may want to focus on making websites and other elements optimized for iPhones, as they are more popular for shopping. In addition, companies will want to ensure they are offering the best possible experiences for mobile patrons or risk losing valuable business.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Friday, June 28th, 2013 at 5:35 am .

The British economy has seen its share of ups and downs in the past few years, as the recession took hold of the country and consumers all over felt a financial pinch. This in turn resulted in lower sales for the nation's retailers. Despite these hardships, the sector has prevailed and is being rewarded with revenue boosts as U.K. shoppers once again purchase products and services.

The Grocer reported that Helen Dickinson, the director general for the British Retail Consortium (BRC), praised the country's retailers for being resilient in the face of economic uncertainty. Factors such as poor weather conditions, drops in consumer confidence and fiscal problems within the U.K dealt a blow to merchants, but sales are starting to pick back up, giving retailers some very welcome news, the source noted.

"At the very least, we've survived a prolonged economic downturn," Dickinson said at the BRC Retail Symposium. "We've continued to deliver quality products at reasonable prices to customers who've had less money in their pockets."

RTT News reported that research from the Confederation of British Industry found that 25 percent of merchants said sales were higher this month when compared to a year ago. Analysts forecast even more sales growth in the coming months.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, June 27th, 2013 at 5:39 pm .

Consumer confidence and retail sales are aspects that often get paired together, as a rise in one figure could indicate an increase in the other. However, this is not always the case, but retailers are hoping that recent data pertaining to consumer optimism could help boost their revenues in the coming months.

The Associated Press reported that, according to the latest Consumer Confidence Index from The Conference Board, consumers are more optimistic about the economy now than they have been in the past five years. The most recent index stands at 81.4 in June, up from May's figure of 74.3. This month's level is the highest it has been in five years, and analysts are hopeful that the confidence boost will translate into increased retail sales throughout the country, the source noted.

However, preliminary figures from Redbook Research revealed that during the first three weeks of June, retail sales were down 0.5 percent from May, 24/7 Wall Street reported. On the other hand, the source explained that the summer months are usually lagging for the nation's merchants. Perhaps the sharp rise in consumer confidence could further propel sales over the coming months.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, June 26th, 2013 at 11:33 am .

Perhaps in the hopes of getting a jump start on buying school-related necessities, many parents are hitting retail stores throughout the United States to stock up on supplies for the coming school year. Although the official start is still more than a month away, these sales are helping merchants boost their summer revenues.

According to The Tampa Tribune, retailers throughout the Florida city are already getting the word out about their back-to-school sales. Many big name brands such as Target, Staples and Walmart have launched marketing campaigns to showcase their school supplies and other items they have in stock. While school start dates vary around the country, Tampa-area school normally have their first day sometime in mid-August. For this reason, many merchants think now is a good time to generate awareness about their back-to-school sales. The source noted that this push is also helping businesses boost their revenues.

Whether it's dealing with a summer rush of shoppers or ensuring that parents can find the necessary supplies for their children for the upcoming school year, companies should have the right retail management software solution that can process sales orders, accept all forms of payment and maintain customer loyalty programs, among other tasks.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, June 26th, 2013 at 11:26 am .

After handling a vast amount of information regarding their daily operations – such as inventory processes, financial data and market changes – retailers may be hesitant to add one more type of information to the mix. However, by collecting, analyzing and using customer data, brands are able to see a wide range of benefits. These advantages can come in the form of improved loyalty programs, enhanced product lines and attractive marketing campaigns. Information related to shoppers gives merchants the chance to gain better insight into what their patrons want and need as well as which target audiences to pursue.

Retailers missing out on customer data
Although many businesses are aware of the benefits that customer data can bring for their operations, a large amount are missing out on collecting and utilizing this information. Internet Retailer reported that research from Experian QAS revealed that despite the fact that brands are gathering data about their patrons, 98 percent believe that most of this information is inaccurate. Some of these details include email addresses, past purchases, geographic locations, gender, age and a variety of other factors.

The study also found that merchants are making strides to better use the data they have, as 69 percent of respondents stated they will be investing in solutions that allow them to improve the quality of their consumer information. However, maintaining accuracy of these details will be crucial for success.

"Unfortunately, poor data quality is widespread, meaning that companies are acting on misinformation and hurting daily operations," said Thomas Schutz, senior vice president, general manager of Experian QAS. "To operate effectively across channels, organizations need to have accurate customer data."

Data analytics big among US retailers
Retailers across the United States know how important customer data is for their operations, and Research-Live reported that to gain a better understanding of the information and the individuals it pertains to, many companies are turning their attention to what data can do for them.

The source noted that research from KPMG revealed that 72 percent of retail industry professionals currently use consumer data to make more informed decisions regarding their businesses. Fifty percent of respondents stated that their brands' success highlights the best use of patron information. More focus is being put on technology solutions that can analyze these details and give merchants actionable insight, the source explained.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, June 26th, 2013 at 10:12 am .

There are a variety of technological solutions that merchants have in place to help drive their operations. This could include retail management software, digital marketing campaigns and online inventory processes, to name a few. Now, a new type of technology is giving businesses another tool through which they can improve their current procedures and practices – mobile devices.

Gadgets like smartphones and tablets are increasingly being used by consumers for daily tasks, such as sending emails, staying up-to-date on news and even shopping from their favorite brands. In response to this trend, merchants are now implementing the technology into their companies. This is helping them create better customer experiences, build loyalty and boost their reputations. For retailers that have yet to join the mobile craze, now might be the time to do so if they don't want to risk losing valuable patrons.

Get more personal through customers' gadgets
Most companies know that having in-person interactions with shoppers is one of the best ways to provide an engaging experience and establish a strong relationship with customers. However, having these types of conversations is not always the most effective route for retailers, as they often have to deal with other tasks. Fortunately, the emergence of smartphones and tablets has given merchants tools for engaging consumers through these devices.

To do this effectively, Bloomberg BusinessWeek recommended that businesses aim to incorporate in-store elements with features on customers' gadgets. For example, the source noted that brands can include interactive video, links for QR codes and discounts that can only be redeemed through mobile to provide shoppers with a great in-store experience.

These kinds of efforts can also be personalized, Bloomberg explained. As patrons browse for and purchase products with their smartphones and tablets, merchants can gather valuable information about their shoppers and then use this data to further enhance experiences at brick-and-mortar locations, letting customers know their business is valued and appreciated.

Email is another effective engagement strategy
Besides being a great tool for companies to use in their store for engaging shoppers, smartphones and tablets also allow retailers to stay in touch with patrons outside of their brick-and-mortar locations, mainly through email communications. Internet Retailer reported that people with mobile devices are increasingly using them to check and send emails, so merchants should look to leverage this channel to boost engagement and loyalty. 

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, June 25th, 2013 at 11:50 am .

Many people have the goal of working within the retail industry – these individuals are dedicated to customer service, promoting the best products and services possible and watching their businesses grow. However, if retail employers are not taking the time to help their staff members follow their ideal career paths, merchants could see employee satisfaction go down the drain.

At the recent National Retail Federation Loss Prevention Conference & Expo, several industry experts discussed what businesses can do to retain their top talent. Ramon Jara, the regional director of loss prevention for Sears Holding Corporation, told attendees that in order to keep workers satisfied, employers must make sure the plans they have for their employees matches the workers' individual career aims. To do this, Ramon recommended that retailers frequently assess their staff members and ask workers to evaluate the company to pinpoint areas of improvement for both parties. In addition, he suggested that holding regular meetings is beneficial, as it allows employees to voice their opinions and concerns, giving merchants the chance to propel both their staff members and operations toward growth.

Ensuring that workers are satisfied and have a way to submit their feedback are some one of the most effective ways that retailers can retain their top talent.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, June 25th, 2013 at 5:57 am .

When in brick-and-mortar locations, retailers often engage shoppers through face-to-face interactions and in-store deals. Now, as individuals are increasingly taking to the Internet to browse for and purchase items from their favorite brands, merchants need to consider how they can provide exceptional experiences through the Web.

A recent study by UPS revealed that people are now preferring to reach out to merchants through online channels, THonline reported. To keep customers coming back, these companies need to consider developing a great online experience for patrons. The research found that seven out of 10 shoppers go to the Internet to find the products they want from their favorite retailers.

So just how can brands create great experiences for their shoppers that go online? CMS Wire suggested that companies ensure their employees are committed to providing effective service and are able to successfully resolve issues. In addition, the source noted that merchants should offer fast responses to customers who reach out through the Internet. This lets patrons know their issues are important and their business is valued. Retailers can also implement management software to keep track of problems and ensure improvements are made.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Monday, June 24th, 2013 at 11:43 am .

The emergence of the Internet and, later, mobile devices significantly changed the retail industry. Consumers increasingly took to the Web to research, compare and purchase products, which gave merchants a boost in sales along with the revenues from their brick-and-mortar locations. However, now it seems as though technology has made its way into physical storefronts, as businesses incorporate new solutions and systems to improve their operations.

According to The Independent, the adoption of automated point of sale kiosks and devices that allow shoppers to research product information is already being seen in retailers' stores. These solutions are certainly helping to improve patron satisfaction as they provide consumers with faster transactions and more convenience. However, the news source estimated that more technology will be incorporated into brick-and-mortar locations as merchants look to enhance the customer experience. This includes virtual windows that change images, interactive touchscreens and systems that can measure an individual's body to find the right size in clothing.

Another technology solution that companies should consider adopting is retail management software. These platforms allow merchants to maintain control over both their physical storefronts and websites, and businesses can effectively oversee all aspects of their operations.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Monday, June 24th, 2013 at 5:10 am .

Retailers often start out with one location that caters to local consumers. Once this storefront is successful, merchants make the decision to expand to new regions in the hope of capturing new business and offering products and services to additional audiences. Sometimes, opening more stores in their domestic markets is not enough for companies and they then enter foreign regions to reach consumers in these areas.

Now, a trend has emerged among American retailers – many are deciding to focus on developing countries as part of their expansion to new markets. While some merchants may be hesitant about opening up in these types of regions, the fact is that many brands are seeing success as these markets are proving to be lucrative for their operations.

South American retail is growing
According to the latest Global Retail Development Index by A.T. Kearney, many U.S.-based companies are making the move to developing countries, with South American markets being a particular focus for many brands. Nations like Brazil, Chile and Uruguay are especially valuable for merchants that want to expand, as these three countries made the top of the index lost. Brazil garnered a score of 100 on market attractiveness, while Chile received a 95.6 and Uruguay got a 92. These regions are still developing, but for retailers that want to try new markets, these were found to be the most lucrative.

China ranked fourth on the Global Retail Development Index, but its market attractiveness score of 62.1 was significantly lower than that of the top three South American nations. However, China has rising consumer demand for a variety of products and services, so opening up new locations in this region could prove to be successful for many brands.

European retailers hesitant about expansion
While American merchants are eager to expand to foreign markets, those in Europe are still showing signs of hesitation when it comes to launching operations in new countries. ChannelAdvisor reported that although many retailers have developed plans for expansion in the coming years, a majority feel that their domestic markets present the best opportunities for their operations. There are several challenges related to expansion that European brands are facing, including various government regulations and currency issues.

To overcome these obstacles, companies can adopt a retail management software solution that processes all payment forms and currencies as well as serves as a single platform for all operations, both domestic and in new markets.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Friday, June 21st, 2013 at 4:05 am .