There is a variety of information that retailers deal with daily, whether it's related to inventory processes, employee management or revenues. There is another form of data that is vital for merchants' operations, and that is details pertaining to customers. Fortunately, with the right retail management software, businesses can effectively store and access this information to enhance their customer service and loyalty strategies.

IT World explained that when shoppers browse for and purchase items both at brick-and-mortar locations and retailers' ecommerce platforms, companies can gather a variety of valuable data to improve operations. This can come in the form of favorite products, preferred communication channels and loyalty program participation. However, the source though that many businesses don't fully leverage these details, as they are confused as to how to best use it to develop and make changes to service strategies and current methods.

The good news is that merchants can adopt technology to help them better control this information and gain insight into how it can enhance their businesses. Retail management software can collect and store customer-related data, which can then be accessed and analyzed by retailers to pinpoint areas that need improvements. This is one of the most effective ways to boost patron retention and loyalty.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, June 20th, 2013 at 10:14 am .

The retail industry within the United Kingdom has seen its share of ups and downs recently. Fluctuating sales, lagging consumer spending and colder weather are all factors that have contributed to less-than-stellar sales during the past few months. However, conditions could be improving, as recent data has shown that merchants are increasingly opening up new storefronts throughout the nation.

The Telegraph reported that shopping centres across the U.K. are finally under development following several pauses due to the country's struggling economy. Many cities are seeing new storefronts pop up in various complexes, including London, Leeds, Oxford and Glasgow, the source explained. The U.K. capital is experiencing its highest number of current retail developments in years as plans get back on track.

"Development activity in London and the South East began to lift markedly a year or so ago," Mark Disney, head of shopping centre development and leasing at property agent CBRE, told the source. "Now, finally, we are beginning to see some signs of recovery in the major metropolitan centres as well. The major retail developers are all working on schemes either to extend and refurbish their existing centres or to develop new ones."

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, June 20th, 2013 at 7:43 am .

The retail industry within the United Kingdom has seen its share of ups and downs recently. Fluctuating sales, lagging consumer spending and colder weather are all factors that have contributed to less-than-stellar sales during the past few months. However, conditions could be improving, as recent data has shown that merchants are increasingly opening up new storefronts throughout the nation.

The Telegraph reported that shopping centres across the U.K. are finally under development following several pauses due to the country's struggling economy. Many cities are seeing new storefronts pop up in various complexes, including London, Leeds, Oxford and Glasgow, the source explained. The U.K. capital is experiencing its highest number of current retail developments in years as plans get back on track.

"Development activity in London and the South East began to lift markedly a year or so ago," Mark Disney, head of shopping centre development and leasing at property agent CBRE, told the source. "Now, finally, we are beginning to see some signs of recovery in the major metropolitan centres as well. The major retail developers are all working on schemes either to extend and refurbish their existing centres or to develop new ones."

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, June 20th, 2013 at 7:43 am .

Having strategies and practices in place that ensure operations run smoothly is something that every retailer needs. Fortunately, technology has made this possible for merchants all over the world, and one platform that can help businesses oversee both their brick-and-mortar locations and websites is Retail Pro 9.

For retail industry professionals who want to learn all about Retail Pro 9 and its many features and capabilities, tomorrow is the Retail Pro webinar, being held from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. PDT. The event will be presented by James McGibbon, a Trainer at Retail Pro University. Registration information can be found at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/458326458.

Tomorrow's webinar will cover all of the Retail Pro 9 advantages and capabilities. The platform is a complete retail management software solution that can help specialty retailers manage all aspects of their operations. With the technology, merchants are able to make their point of sale and checkout processes more convenient for themselves and customers. Additionally, companies can effectively maintain their inventory procedures and customer loyalty programs, among other elements. 

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 at 9:45 am .

Every retailer knows that customers are what keep operations running. Without shoppers visiting their brick-and-mortar locations and logging onto their web platforms, merchants risk going out of business. To keep valuable patrons coming back, companies often have to improve upon their customer service methods, and fortunately, one such technology platform can help retailers do just that.

Merchant Warehouse's Genius Customer Engagement Platform is helping companies achieve their customer service improvement goals, and with a recent partnership between Merchant Warehouse and Retail Pro International, many specialty retail stores throughout the U.S. will be using the Genius technology to provide better experiences for their patrons.

So how can retailers use Genius to enhance their customer service strategies? Through a variety of ways, including being able to accept and process all payment forms, whether they are currently being used or are still in development. This is extremely beneficial for operations and boosting customer engagement, as mobile payments are quickly becoming popular among consumers, and retailers that are utilizing the Genius platform are able to conduct mobile transactions and can adapt to any mobile payment changes in the future. In addition, Genius gives merchants more capabilities beyond just payment processing. With the solution, businesses are able to effectively develop and manage loyalty initiatives, keep track of receipts and monitor clienteling systems, among other elements.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 at 9:45 am .

Finding the right kind of retail management software platform can seem like a daunting task for merchants. Each business has its own operational needs and tasks that have to be considered when adopting a new system, and choosing a solution that is flexible enough for all of these elements is vital for success. Fortunately, Retail Pro 9 is the platform that can give companies the tools they need to manage all of their essential responsibilities.

Interested retail industry professionals can learn all about Retail Pro 9 and its many features, benefits and capabilities at this week's webinar, which will take place Thursday, June 20, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. PDT. Registration information can be found at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/458326458.

James McGibbon, a Trainer in Retail Pro University, will be presenting the webinar, and he will discuss and demonstrate the various aspects of Retail Pro 9. For example, he will show attendees how the software platform can make the point of sale and checkout processes easier for both merchants and shoppers. The solution also allows companies to effectively manage their customer retention and loyalty initiatives.

All of this and much more will be presented at Thursday's webinar, so retailers should sign up now to guarantee a spot!

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 at 5:20 am .

People have them in their hands when they're walking down the street, relaxing at home, commuting on public transportation and in many other instances. Smartphones and tablets are taking the world by storm, and while they are mostly being utilized by individuals, businesses are also catching on to the benefits that the gadgets can provide for their operations.

For the retail industry, smartphones and tablets have been steadily making their way into storefronts and web platforms as shoppers are using the devices to browse for, compare and purchase products. Because of this, many merchants are adopting the technology in order to accommodate those patrons who prefer to use their gadgets for shopping. This is giving companies more opportunities to connect with consumers and even draw in new customers.

Signs point to significant smart device growth
Retailers can get an idea of how important smartphones and tablets are for consumers by just taking a look around – people have them everywhere. But there are also studies that support this trend, such as one conducted by the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project. Internet Retailer reported that the research revealed that more than half of American adults (56 percent) currently own a smartphone. When it comes to tablets, the number isn't as big, but recent growth has been significant. The Pew Research Center found that 34 percent of U.S. adults own a tablet, which is more than the 18 percent figure seen in May 2012.

The source explained that younger adults are more likely to own and regularly use these devices than older Americans. On the other hand, every demographic group that Pew Research studied has boosted their smart device adoption in the past year.

Retailers encouraged to get gadgets
If consumers are increasingly using smartphones and tablets for their shopping purposes, then it only makes sense that merchants should make the move to implement the technology. Doing this will ensure that customers are able to use their gadgets at all times throughout their retail experiences, boosting satisfaction and retention.

Google is encouraging businesses to adopt smart devices into their operations, Phys.org reported. At a recent marketing conference, the tech giant presented findings from research it conducted which showed that if merchants don't make the move to incorporate the technology, they risk losing valuable customers, the source explained.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, June 19th, 2013 at 5:15 am .

Several recent reports have shown that retail sales were particularly strong throughout May, as consumers flooded brick-and-mortar locations and merchants' websites. Despite a shaky start to the year, businesses are steadily regaining their confidence that was lost during the recession, and analysts expect that sales will keep climbing in the coming months.

USA Today reported that the latest data from the Census Bureau revealed that retail sales jumped 0.6 percent last month from April. This beat economists' expectations of a 0.5 percent rise. However, while most retail sectors saw growth during May, consumer spending at restaurants dipped slightly, and analysts say this could be a sign that Americans are still reeling from the payroll tax increases that took effect at the beginning of the year. But optimism remains high, both among analysts and retailers throughout the country.

"You can't draw conclusions based on one month," Bernard Baumohl, chief global economist at the Economic Outlook Group, told the source about May's retail sales. "Year-over-year, it's still up about 4 percent.''

Merchants can ensure they are keeping track of their sales and accommodating their customers with the right retail management software and POS solutions.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, June 18th, 2013 at 8:10 am .

In the past, retailers normally had to contend with accepting cash payments from customers. Then along came credit and debit cards, and merchants adopted processing machines to help with the influx of plastic. Now, a new payment form is taking the industry by storm, as consumers are preferring to use their mobile devices to shop for and buy products. For this reason, it is vital that businesses implement the right point of sale solution for their needs that can process transactions from all payment types. If companies think that updating their POS systems is not for them at the moment, they risk losing out on valuable business from shoppers who want to use their smartphones and tablets to purchase merchandise.

Access essential data with POS
The main benefit of incorporating a new point of sale solution into retail operations is that it is able to accept all payment methods, meaning that brands are likely to increase customer satisfaction through fast and easy transactions. However, there are other large advantages that merchants can experience with up-to-date POS technology. One of these is having access to customer data, such as purchase histories, product preferences and contact details, Point of Sale News reported. This information can be vital for developing marketing campaigns, creating loyalty programs and crafting many other initiatives that help businesses retain existing patrons and attract new ones.

The news source pointed out that consumers have needs and wants when it comes to shopping, and retailers need to be prepared to accommodate those factors and boost satisfaction, all of which can be done by using the information gathered by POS solutions. Point of Sale News highlighted two companies that upgraded their systems and were able to see immediate success when it came to engaging with shoppers, as the information they had in their systems allowed them to more effectively interact with their client base.

Of course, companies need to consider which point of sale technology is right for their goals. Taking the time to research these products will ensure that retailers are able to boost their operations and customer satisfaction as best as possible.

It's all about simple transactions
When reviewing the various POS options, merchants will need to keep in mind their shoppers. Street Fight Magazine explained that keeping transactions easy and simple for customers is perhaps one of the most effective ways that brands can keep patrons coming back and bring in new clients. 

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, June 18th, 2013 at 5:07 am .

In Europe, there are a variety of different languages, cultures, traditions and more that come from the many countries located throughout the continent. And it seems as though these nations vary on another factor – ecommerce. Retailers in several European nations are seeing more success with the web platforms that merchants located in other regions.

Internet Retailer reported that unlike the United States, where businesses can develop their online shopping options to fit the needs of all Americans, those in Europe have to deal with the different wants and needs of consumers living in various countries if they hope to boost their sales.

"Europe is a loose collection of collaborating countries with different languages, laws, customer behaviors, cultures, payment preferences and currencies," Forrester Research Inc. Principal Analyst Martin Gill told the source. "There are big windows of opportunity for any online retailer that can bridge these gaps and develop universal e-commerce."

For European merchants that want to accommodate consumers in their own region and those in other nations, POS solutions and retail management software can give companies the tools they need to retain customer and build loyalty.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Monday, June 17th, 2013 at 9:39 am .