In-Store Technology

In 2022, the perfect store is rooted in constant evolution — a system that maybe isn’t perfect in every moment, but is agile always, malleable when needed, and capable of critical self-reflection. These innate characteristics of the modern perfect store are supported by, and in return support, the adoption of a few important technologies and…

Amazon.com opened its first brick-and-mortal apparel store on Wednesday, leveraging technology to set itself apart as it tries to grow its physical presence. Called Amazon Style, the new store, located in California, features machine learning technology to help customers find clothes and personalize recommendations as well as interactive dressing rooms. The store stocks men's and…

Modern retail consumers expect brick-and-mortar stores to provide a level of service and technological sophistication commensurate with their online counterparts. However, delivering this level of service requires significant IT infrastructure to support key functions and business processes. Customer-facing technologies such as integrated point of sale/CRM, frictionless returns and exchanges, and rewards programs have become mainstream;…

We’re already into April and retailers are shelving their spring collection items fast. As the temperatures start to warm up, and as COVID-19 restrictions continue to loosen across the U.S., retailers should be preparing for a surge in in-store shopping once more. Akin to the “revenge shopping” trend that we’ve seen emerge during the warmer…

There are few in retail circles who would argue that the role of the store is the same as it was at the start of 2020, with the retail industry (like every other on the planet) undeniably changed as a result of the global pandemic. Where once upon a time retail business models had the…

Walmart and its big-box warehouse subsidiary Sam’s Club are suing rival retailer BJ’s Wholesale Club, accusing BJ's of stealing technology that powers a popular self-checkout option in the Sam’s Club mobile app. The lawsuit, filed in federal court this week, claims Walmart worked for years to develop Scan & Go, a feature that lets Sam’s Club…

On Tuesday, Whole Foods opened its first store that allows customers to skip the register entirely. The store, located in Washington, D.C., uses Amazon.com's "Just Walk Out" technology. (Whole Foods is owned by Amazon.) Customers scan their Whole Foods app, credit card or Amazon app when they enter; sensors and cameras detect what items the customer…

Retail organizations must view the in-store experience as an essential investment, ranking in importance alongside cash registers, security cameras, and product inventory. In fact, Ernst & Young (EY) argues that the customer experience is the most challenging feature of retail, but also the most important. Our State of the In-Store Experience (2021) report leads us…

As frictionless commerce continues to grow in popularity, retailers are identifying how to integrate the innovative technology into their overall business strategy. To do so, they must determine whether to evolve existing solutions or revolutionize existing processes to keep up with competition. While there are benefits to both approaches, there are three key considerations retailers…

If the last two years have taught retailers anything, it might be that workforce trends can be just as unpredictable as consumer trends. The industry has always faced challenges in hiring and retaining talent, but the current labor shortage is nearly unprecedented. Workforce struggles paired with customers who are generally more finicky and impatient are…