When participating in conferences and other industry events, attendees come to learn all about the latest trends and technology impacting their business. However, this isn't the only reason why professionals participate in conferences – the networking opportunities are another benefit of attending events.

This is certainly no different for this year's Retail Pro Global Conference, taking place in Barcelona, Spain. While Retail Pro Business Partners and Customers will each have their own Summits – October 18 – 20 for Business Partners and October 20 – 22 for Customers – they will also have the chance to connect and engage with other retail industry professionals. This will help attendees foster valuable working relationships and maintain contact with other merchants. Registration information for the Conference can be found at https://www.retailpro.com/Community/2013Conference/Registration.php.

However, some preparation is needed for tapping into the ecosystem at this year's Conference, as retailers want to be sure they are establishing effective connections with others in their sector. Broomfield Enterprise suggests that attendees craft several questions to ask connections and be genuinely interested in what they have to say. In addition, handing out business cards and then following up with those individuals helps retailers build relationships and grow their operations.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, May 14th, 2013 at 9:01 am .

Throughout their daily operations, retailers deal with a vast amount of information. This can pertain to their customers, their revenues, their employees, their competitors – the list is endless. Businesses want to keep this data safe, and for many, the systems they use may be sufficient. However, research has shown that those within the retail industry are becoming a target for data breaches conducted by hackers.

CSO Online reports that according to the Data Breach Investigations Reports by Verizon, there were a total of 621 confirmed data breaches worldwide. Of that number, nearly one-quarter (24 percent) targeted retailers. That accounts for 156 incidents, which highlights the growing need for more secure data management systems within retail operations, the source noted. By doing this, merchants can prevent malicious attacks that attempt to steal consumer payment information, businesses' bank account details and a variety of other sensitive data.

But just how can retailers go about accomplishing more security within their organizations? USA Today recommends that companies develop policies that restrict access to their information, allowing it only to be viewed by authorized parties with strong password protection. In addition, frequently updating malware and anti-virus software can help keep attacks at bay. Implementing secure retail management software and POS solutions provides even more protection.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Monday, May 13th, 2013 at 4:57 am .

Although it needs to be passed through both houses of Congress, the recent successful vote of the Marketplace Fairness Act by the U.S. Senate is being seen as a victory. Now, all that's left is a vote by the House of Representatives and a final signature by President Barack Obama for the bill – which would allow states to apply sales taxes to internet purchases – to become law.

The Washington Post reports that the legislation was passed in the Senate after a vote of 69 to 27, generating bipartisan support. The potential law would mean that for retailers that operate solely online, they would be required to collect sales tax from shoppers based on the rates of the respective states that buyers live in. Currently, ecommerce merchants, such as eBay and Amazon, do not charge state sales taxes for customers, the source explains.

While some web companies are against the Marketplace Fairness Act, the bill has garnered a large amount of support from both lawmakers and those in the retail industry. The National Retail Federation released a statement saying the legislation makes it more fair for retailers of all sizes to compete in the marketplace.

"Congress needs to address this sales tax disparity and allow retailers to compete freely and fairly," stated NRF chairman of the board Stephen Sadove. "Retailers of all shapes, sizes and channels deserve a level playing field."

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Monday, May 13th, 2013 at 3:03 am .

Ecommerce in the United States has been steadily increasing over the past few years, as both consumers and retailers have taken advantage of the convenience that the channel provides. And it looks like online sales won't be declining anytime soon, as recent research has revealed that ecommerce will continue to be a preferred way of shopping for many customers throughout the country.

Internet Retailer reports that according to a study by eMarketer, purchases made through the internet are estimated to reach $434.2 billion in 2017. This represents a 14 percent compound annual growth rate, and is a significant boost from the $258.9 billion that eMarketer forecasts will be generated through ecommerce this year.

The research pointed out that while consumers will continue to use computers to browse for and buy products, mobile devices will play an increasingly important role in the rise of ecommerce. The source notes that by 2017, one-quarter of sales made online will be done through smartphones and tablets. For 2013, that figure is expected to account for 11 percent of purchases.

To help process a growing number of transactions and ensure their speed and accuracy, retailers can adopt point of sale software. This technology allows businesses to keep track of their finances and provides customers with a reliable method of payment processing.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Friday, May 10th, 2013 at 12:50 pm .

The retail industry was hit hard by the economic recession a few years ago, but now that conditions are improving, so too are the outlooks of those within the sector. Boosts in confidence are being seen not only with investments in new solutions and systems, but also through job creation as merchants are hiring more employees to improve their operations.

A recent statement from the National Retail Federation (NRF) lauded the latest findings from the U.S. Department of Labor – retailers added an approximate total of 29,000 jobs last month. This is significant growth for an industry that saw sharp declines during the economic downturn. With these results, analysts are expecting that job creation will continue in the coming months. This forecast is fueled by rising consumer confidence and spending.

"Finally some reassuring news on jobs and the economy," said NRF chief economist Jack Kleinhenz. "Today's solid employment news combined with positive March revisions may bode well for the broader economy and portend steady retail sales in April. Retailers are continuing to find innovative ways to engage shoppers with the right mix of products, inventory and employment to meet their customers' demands."

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Friday, May 10th, 2013 at 12:15 pm .

Understanding all of the ins and outs of retail operations takes time and dedication, but with the right tools, merchants can learn about all of the aspects pertaining to their companies. Retail Pro Business Intelligence is the perfect solution to fit retailers' needs, and by using the system, leaders will have all of the information needed to make informed decisions about their processes.

Interested professionals can see how Retail Pro Business Intelligence works and how it can enhance their operations at this Thursday's webinar. The event will take place between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. PDT. Registration information can be found at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/356926346.

Attendees will have the chance to see firsthand how the technology works and its many features, capabilities and benefits. Retail Pro Business Intelligence allows users to more clearly define their goals, focus and strategies by accessing the most up-to-date and accurate data pertaining to a variety of operational factors. Companies are able to visualize their data, as the system organizes the information into readable action points for immediate use.

Presenting the webinar will be Neil McKeown, Product Manager for Retail Pro Business Intelligence as well as Retail Pro E-Commerce.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Friday, May 10th, 2013 at 8:23 am .

Without establishing connections and fostering valuable working relationships, retailers know that their operations could suffer. Networking with other retail industry professionals significantly helps brands gain access to important trends and news in their sectors as well as learn from the tips and strategies being used by other companies.

At this year's Retail Pro Global Conference, Retail Pro Business Partners and Customers will get the chance to network with others in their field. The event will take place in Barcelona, Spain, from October 18 – 22. Registration information can be found at https://www.retailpro.com/Community/2013Conference/Registration.php.

Besides learning all about the various products and offerings from Retail Pro, the 2013 Global Conference will provide attendees with the chance to network with other industry professionals. To make the most out of the experience and to build strong foundation for effective working relationships, Business Partners and Customers can follow the advice of Danny Rubin. In an article for The Huffington Post, Rubin writes that successful networking begins by developing deep and thoughtful questions, and then having the confidence to ask those questions of fellow attendees. However, networking doesn't stop once events are over. Rubin suggests that sending emails and staying in touch with contacts is the best to way to start valuable relationships.

Attendees of the 2013 Retail Pro Global Conference will have the opportunity to effectively network and grow their operations.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, May 9th, 2013 at 5:48 am .

Since the emergence of smartphones and tablets, consumers have been completing purchases through the devices, and retailers have been adopting systems that accommodate these shoppers. While these gadgets are mostly utilized outside of merchants' brick-and-mortar locations, they are steadily making their way into storefronts as businesses learn to take advantage of the technology's benefits.

Allowing consumers to use their mobile devices in stores can result in increased retention and loyalty, as many individuals with smartphones and tablets are starting to prefer using their gadgets to look up product information and complete purchases. However, it's not only patrons who are bringing the technology into brick-and-mortar locations. In an article for Wired, Marcus Wohlsen writes that smartphones and especially tablets are being used by merchants to allow associates to help customers from anywhere on the sales floor.

By following this strategy, Wohlsen explains that companies can provide more convenience for shoppers, as employees equipped with devices can research information about merchandise and accept payments. For consumers looking for fast transactions, this is one effective way to boost loyalty and possible generate repeat sales.

In order to process sales made through mobile devices, businesses can implement retail point of sale software to maintain payment accuracy and speed.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, May 8th, 2013 at 1:19 pm .

Retailers know that without motivated and happy staff members, their operations could be put at risk. This can come in the form of dissatisfied customers due to poor service or financial losses resulting from worker error, whether intentional or by mistake. For this reason, it is vital that merchants take steps to keep staff members happy and dedicated to their jobs.

During the economic recession which began years ago, many businesses were forced to let go of workers due to financial strain. However, now conditions are steadily improving, which means that companies are picking up their hiring efforts once again. This increase in employment is certainly present in the retail industry, but in order to attract and retain the best staff members, merchants need to put more focus on keeping their employees satisfied.

Job Science offers several recommendations for businesses that want to have strong employee happiness levels. One way that retailers can keep employees satisfied is by providing them with frequent training opportunities so they can enhance their skills, such as seminars and discussions on being more customer-centric or attending events that pertain to the latest industry trends. Developing incentives to reward employees for their hard work is another method to boost satisfaction, the source suggests.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, May 8th, 2013 at 8:05 am .

It's very rare these days to come across someone who doesn't have a profile on at least one social networking site. Logging onto these platforms has become something that many people do daily. While the sites started out as a way for individuals to stay in touch with friends and family as well as connect with other people, these networks are now making their way into the business realm.

Retailers across the world have taken notice of social media and what it can do for their operations, whether in the form of improving customer service, posting deals and discounts or letting individuals know about new products. Because of this widespread adoption of social media within the retail industry, businesses that have yet to establish a strong presence on at least one social site should do so now or risk losing out to competition.

Small and medium retailers need to follow suit
Larger corporations have been leading the way of social media adoption, mainly to use for marketing campaigns as the sites allow brands to reach out to consumers throughout the world. This means they are no longer confined to broadcasting promotional messages to audiences in their general areas. On the other hand, it also means that small and medium merchants need to take a page out of the book of their larger counterparts.

Research from Internet Retailer discovered that out of the Top 500 retailers located throughout the world, only four are not present on social media networks. These large brands have learned the importance of maintaining pages on social sites, as consumers go online to interact with companies now, whether it is to browse for product information, get answers to their questions or resolve issues. The study also found that the most popular platforms that these retailers are using include Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest, in that order.

Small merchants don't need significantly large presence
For many smaller companies, having a huge social media presence like larger retailers do is perhaps not possible, as these businesses are unable to devote the same kind of resources to social media as their big-name counterparts. However, being on social sites does not require extensive amount of effort – retailers can still see successful results no matter their size.

The Press-Enterprise suggests that companies first build a fan base of local consumers on social networks, and then ask those individuals to share brand-related information. Merchants can also request that shoppers check-in at their physical storefronts as well as share reviews on social platforms.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Monday, May 6th, 2013 at 4:34 pm .