Mobile devices like smartphones and tablets are being increasingly adopted by consumers, and for this reason, many retailers are implementing solutions that allow shoppers to use their gadgets not only while online, but in stores as well. However, merchants may not be fully aware of all the benefits they gain by incorporating mobile systems into their operations to accommodate device-carrying patrons.

Retail Info Systems News highlights some of the advantages that businesses are able to see when they adopt mobile devices and solutions to perform a variety of daily tasks and responsibilities. One of these benefits is having more efficient control over inventory processes and related information. By using smartphones and tablets, managers and sales associates can access the latest and most accurate data pertaining to what products they have in stock, allowing them to make informed decisions and provide merchandise information to customers.

In addition, the source notes that merchants can gain insight into what consumers see when using their devices in stores, giving businesses the chance to develop sites, apps and other elements to fit the needs and wants of shoppers. Offering mobile POS solutions is perhaps one of the best ways to enhance satisfaction among smartphone and tablet users in brick-and-mortar locations.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, April 25th, 2013 at 5:18 am .

Computers, smartphones and tablets have led to an increase in internet use over the past few years, and as consumers are taking to the web to search for, compare and buy products, merchants have started to join in on the trend. But how are individuals really using online platforms, and how can retailers create elements that attract customers?

Internet Retailer reports that a study by Experian Marketing Services revealed that social media sites are the top focus of individuals accessing the web on a regular basis. While this may seem like discouraging news for merchants, the research also found that online shopping was the second most popular task among consumers. The source reports that about 16 minutes of every hour that people use the internet is spent viewing social media networks. This represents 27 percent of a 60-minute time period, while 9 percent of that hour is spent browsing for and purchasing items from businesses.

Even though some merchants may think that 9 percent is low when it comes to catching the attention of online shoppers, they can use these findings to boost their social media strategies, and ultimately, their revenues. Companies should maintain and frequently update pages on the most popular social sites, including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube. This way, brands will increase their chances of being seen by potential customers.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, April 24th, 2013 at 11:57 am .

For retailers that want to get a solid grasp on their online operations and better manage their web platforms, Retail Pro E-Commerce is the perfect solution to fit those needs. Interested industry professionals can sign up and log on for tomorrow's webinar that will showcase all of the benefits, features and capabilities of Retail Pro's fully integrated ecommerce system. The event will take place from 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. and registration information can be found at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/335287498.

Presenting the webinar will be Neil McKeown, Product Manager for Retail Pro E-Commerce and Retail Pro Business Intelligence. McKeown will demonstrate firsthand out the solution is able to effectively fit the needs of retailers through its many capabilities and features. Attendees will have the chance to manage multiple web stores, streamlining the control of brand-specific and niche sites. In addition, Retail Pro E-Commerce provides businesses with a way to oversee their online sales orders, develop their web platforms from scratch or templates and maintain an efficient solution that manages all ecommerce operations in one place.

As consumers increasingly turn to the internet to browse for and purchase products, online shopping will only become more prevalent within the retail industry. Implementing solutions now that provide customers with effective, easy-to-use platforms will help merchants boost their sales and retention rates. Retail management software like Retail Pro E-Commerce offers all of these benefits for companies.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, April 24th, 2013 at 10:05 am .

Normally during this time of the year, retailers are busy stocking their shelves with merchandise to help consumers prepare for the upcoming spring and summer seasons. Outdoor items, bathing suits, beach gear – these are all things merchants offer around this time. However, prolonged cold weather both in the United States and Europe is putting sales on hold for many businesses.

Retailers in South Dakota, which is currently experiencing colder-than-normal temperatures, are struggling to sell the summer-themed items that line their shelves, reports Keloland.com. Some businesses have removed their merchandise for warmer months and put back the winter products, which has made many customers happy. However, some companies still insist on putting out items for the upcoming spring and summer seasons in the hope that the frigid weather will pass soon, the source reports.

Regional retailers in the United States are not the only ones currently experiencing this below-normal temperature challenge. According to Bloomberg, merchants in the United Kingdom are also seeing sales decline due to chilly conditions. Consumers held off on buying summer clothing and related items as cold weather gripped the country in March, causing sales totals to fall 0.7 percent from the previous month.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, April 24th, 2013 at 7:16 am .

When consumers are not  feeling too confident about the direction of the economy or their own financial conditions, it certainly takes a toll on retailers. During times like these, which is occurring now due to slow recovery from the global recession, merchants do everything in their power to keep shoppers coming back for repeat purchases.

Brand Channel reports that there have been recent declines in consumer optimism, mainly due to ongoing economic recovery and payroll tax hikes that took effect at the beginning of 2013, leaving many workers with less take-home pay. The source explains that this has led to drops in brand loyalty for many companies, as shoppers look to more affordable businesses to find the products they want and need. This is taking place both in brick-and-mortar locations as well as ecommerce platforms.

So what can retailers do to combat this decreasing loyalty and keep their valued customers? In a blog post for Media Motivators, retail industry professional Thomas Murrell writes that companies should offer repeat shoppers a way to share their positive experiences, whether through social media, retail websites or referrals. Providing loyalty programs is an effective strategy to enhance satisfaction and loyalty, so handing out deals and discounts to patrons will keep them coming back, Murrell notes.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Monday, April 22nd, 2013 at 12:34 pm .

It's no surprise that consumers are increasingly going online to research, compare and buy products. For this reason, businesses have rushed over the past few years to provide shoppers with platforms that support web purchases. However, without an effective ecommerce solution to manage all of the various related aspects, merchants could see their internet presence slide.

For companies that want to boost their web systems and enhance patrons' experiences online, Retail Pro E-Commerce is the perfect solution to maintain control over internet operations. Interested retail industry professionals can learn all about Retail Pro E-Commerce this coming Thursday, April 25, at the webinar taking place between 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. PDT. Registration information can be found at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/335287498.

The webinar will showcase Retail Pro E-Commerce and highlight the many features, benefits and capabilities of the system. By incorporating the technology, merchants can support their multiple web platforms for ultimate customer satisfaction as well as save time and money by using the fully-integrated solution to manage their online shopping operations. The webinar will be presented by Neil McKeown, Product Manager of Retail Pro E-Commerce and Retail Pro Business Intelligence.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Monday, April 22nd, 2013 at 12:20 pm .

Ecommerce has been spreading throughout the globe, and many retailers have adapted to the trend by implementing solutions that encourage customers to go online to browse for and purchase merchandise. Internet and mobile shopping is expected to increase in the coming months and years as patrons take advantage of the convenience and ease the channels provide.

Internet Retailer reports that a study by Capgemini and Interactive Media in Retail Group revealed that ecommerce grew significantly in the United Kingdom in March. The findings for last month were compared with the ones from the same time a year prior, and the research discovered that there was a 16 percent jump during that time period. This includes purchases made from computers as well as smartphones and tablets. In this year's first quarter, the ecommerce trend increased 15 percent year-over-year, the source explains.

However, just because U.K. consumers are going online to shop in larger numbers, retailers should also aim to incorporate technologies into their brick-and-mortar locations to attract patrons. Biz report notes that research from Sponge found that 76 percent of U.K. merchants are not offering free Wi-Fi in their stores. This is something that could deter device-carrying shoppers from entering these locations, as many individuals like to use their smartphones when visiting physical storefronts.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Monday, April 22nd, 2013 at 9:25 am .

Thanks to the emergence of technology solutions and consumer adoption of digital devices, retailers now have a variety of channels on which to promote and sell their products. One of the most popular new forms that merchants are using is their websites, and these platforms are also making their way into the mobile realm, as shoppers are taking to their smartphones and tablets to browse for and buy merchandise. Although the technology is proving effective in terms of boosting sales and customer loyalty, there are still many things that retailers need to improve upon when it comes to their websites, especially when viewed on mobile devices.

Mobile sites need some work
Econsultancy reports that a study by EPiServer revealed that consumers find mobile retail websites increasingly difficult to navigate, which is influencing their purchasing decisions. The research found that 37 percent of respondents stated mobile sites are hard to view and use. This is higher than the 32 percent who said the same a year ago, the source notes.

Of the main problems patrons were having with mobile sites, slow loading times was the most common issue, with 49 percent of responses, followed by trouble with scrolling both horizontally and vertically (48 percent) and links that are hard to click due to their small size (35 percent).

If shoppers are having trouble effectively using retailers' websites through their mobile devices, this could be enough to turn them off from brands and instead turn to competitors to find the products and services they are looking for. In fact, EPiServer discovered that 38 percent of customers would stop using a site that was difficult to navigate, and ultimately they could decide to stop doing business with certain merchants altogether.

Effective strategies for successful retail websites
These findings should be enough to convince companies they need to up the ante on their website development maintenance. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to creating retail websites, there are strategies that merchants can follow to ensure their mobile sites are solid and help to boost sales.

MultiChannel Merchant recommends that businesses first conduct internal – and external, if possible – research to determine what their shoppers want from mobile sites. Taking problems and working quickly to fix them is one of the best ways to enhance mobile customers' experiences. In addition, the source notes that companies can optimize their sites to fit on smartphone and tablet screens, eliminating hard-to-read content and links that are too small.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Friday, April 19th, 2013 at 4:22 am .

It has been a long and slow road to full economic recovery for the country, and there is still much progress to be made. Retailers took a hit during the downturn due to a lack of consumer spending and drags in optimism. However, for the past year, conditions have been steadily improving, and many businesses have gotten their operations get back on track following the recession. On the other hand, there are often many ups and downs on the path to recovery, and it seems as though the nation's consumers have recently hit a snag in regards to their confidence in the economy and their own finances. Hopefully this is only a temporary setback, but if the declines in optimism continue, the retail industry could experience adverse effects.

Consumers keeping wallets closed
According to a recent study by Deloitte, although there has been strong economic improvement over the past several months, 94 percent of Americans stated they still remain cautious when it comes to their spending. To save money, many individuals are becoming more resourceful in terms of finding ways to cut back – 86 percent said they are being more precise about the items they purchase, and 88 percent of respondents have switched to more affordable brands for merchandise. This has led to decreases in loyalty for some retailers, Deloitte revealed, but many merchants are now offering frequent shopper cards to keep customers coming into their stores and onto their websites.

The Consumer Reports Index found that many companies are experiencing setbacks as a result of declines in consumer spending. The research, which analyzes Americans' views toward their personal finances, revealed that low confidence levels were still apparent in March. The index was unchanged from February, coming in at 50.1. The figure has been fluctuating since the end of 2012, but last month was a less-than-positive time for many consumers.

Take steps now to combat stagnant conditions
Fortunately, there are steps that retailers can take now to boost their own customers' confidence and keep shoppers coming back. Implementing solutions such as retail management software can significantly enhance a variety of processes, such as inventory control, consumer retention and customer service initiatives. In addition, adopting technology like mobile POS systems gives merchants the chance to accommodate patrons who prefer to pay with their smartphones. Establishing loyalty programs is another effective way to ensure shoppers return for future purchases.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, April 18th, 2013 at 10:14 am .

For retailers, managing store operations is much different than overseeing effective ecommerce processes. These two shopping mediums vary greatly, but consumers still prefer to use both to find and buy the products they want. For this reason, many businesses are offering both channels, and for those that haven't yet, now is the time to do so.

Bloomberg Businessweek reports that retailers that specialize mainly online are now venturing into the brick-and-mortar realm. Ecommerce may seem that it has taken over the retail industry and become customers preferred method of shopping, but that is certainly not the case, as internet merchants are realizing just how important storefronts are.

The source notes that ecommerce retailers are making the move to physical storefronts because they believe it is a great way to boost brand awareness and capture sales from consumers who otherwise may have not known about certain products and services if they didn't come across brick-and-mortar locations. But these businesses aren't forgetting about their online platforms; they are incorporating web aspects into their physical spaces, Bloomberg Businessweek explains.

To effectively manage both ecommerce and store operations, companies can use retail management software to handle all of their processes and procedures.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, April 18th, 2013 at 8:00 am .