Omnichannel

The Power of the Store in 2017
March 9, 2017 at 12:01 pm

Many retailers are still wrapping their heads around the full value of implementing an order management system (OMS) within their operations. But as the industry storms into 2017, we’ll see sweeping changes that revolutionize the way omnichannel retail operates. It has been widely predicted that sales, commerce and fulfillment investments will be one of the…

Xcel Brands Thriving With Fast-Fashion Strategy
March 9, 2017 at 9:27 am

It seems as though every day there's another retailer closing stores, declaring bankruptcy or laying off employees. Most recently, J.C. Penney announced it will be closing 140 stores; HHGregg has filed for bankruptcy; and JackThreads laid off most of its staff. However, one company is flourishing at a time when others are failing. Xcel Brands,…

Retail Execs Share Their Advice for a Successful 2017
March 8, 2017 at 4:36 pm

In the Winter 2017 issue of Total Retail, we asked our editorial advisory board what advice they would give to retailers to help them have a successful year. Below are some of their answers (click here for a full list of of our editorial advisory board, including their titles and companies): Peter Cobb: Pick five to…

New Social Trends and Digital Technologies Have Raised the Stakes for Customer Experience
March 8, 2017 at 10:49 am

New technologies powered by “always on” Wi-Fi connections, social networking platforms and the Internet of Things have given consumers the power to dictate the terms of their relationships with retailers. Their behaviors, preferences and, most importantly, shopping habits are changing rapidly as they access a seemingly ever-expanding array of channels to connect with their peers,…

Retail Trends to Emerge From eTail West
March 7, 2017 at 10:22 am

On a surprisingly rainy day last week in the Palm Springs desert, over 1,500 retailers gathered at the annual eTail West conference to discuss the latest trends in digital retail. Over the next three days, the sun came back out and conference attendees learned how retailers are addressing challenges to align technology and their organizations…

3 Ways to Improve Your Omnichannel Commerce Strategy
March 7, 2017 at 9:51 am

2016 was another explosive year for e-commerce growth. E-commerce accounted for nearly 12 percent of total sales in the U.S., growing more than 15 percent from 2015. With that expansion comes both a massive opportunity and an imposing challenge for retailers looking to gain market share. At the forefront of that challenge is providing the frictionless,…

Retailers Invest More in Research to Improve Customer Experience
March 2, 2017 at 8:32 pm

Customer experience (CX) and user research are no longer relegated to a few lone champions in a retail organization. Understanding and improving the user experience has become the entire organization's objective, from product designers to marketers to senior executives. Read that again. Just as artificial intelligence (AI) is booming, so too is organization-wide demand for…

Digital Transformation Top Investment Priority for Retail CEOs, Survey Finds
March 1, 2017 at 2:55 pm

A survey of more than 350 global retail CEOs found that a digital transformation strategy is their No. 1 priority in 2017; 69 percent said they plan to increase their investment in digital transformation over the next year. These findings were highlighted in a new report, CEO Viewpoint 2017: The Transformation of Retail, prepared for JDA Software Group,…

Survey: Retail’s Disconnect With Shoppers and How to Fix It
February 27, 2017 at 10:33 am

Despite retailers’ heavy spending on value-added services and personalization, shoppers say they see little return on the investments, according to a new survey from Cognizant and Forrester Consulting. In the online poll of 4,500 smartphone-owning shoppers, only 35 percent on average make use of in-store services such as interactive displays and mobile checkout. Personalization receives…