Technology

The Future of Retail: Turning to AI and Automation in 2023
February 28, 2023 at 5:58 pm

It's no secret that the retail market is ever-changing; six months ago, consumers had different interests and markets faced different headwinds. To better combat the turbulence, in everything from logistics to loyalty, retailers have been turning to automation and artificial intelligence (AI) to receive support in handling orders, managing market insights into customer demographics, and…

Raymour & Flanigan Gains Real-Time, Unified Inventory Data Visibility
February 27, 2023 at 1:35 pm

In episode 390 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Bryan Anastasi, vice president of customer care and business solutions at Raymour & Flanigan, the largest furniture and mattress retailer in the Northeast and seventh largest nationwide. Anastasi provides an overview of the Raymour & Flanigan business (1:00), his role with the organization (1:40), and to what he…

The Application of Appropriate Technology
February 27, 2023 at 12:29 pm

We're increasingly living in a world driven by technology, with new services and new applications appearing almost on a daily basis. It’s new, it’s the latest thing, it must be good, we need it ... right? Wrong. In the rush to be seen to be deploying the latest technology, there's a risk of losing sight…

FTD Exec on Managing a Multifaceted, Product-Centric Tech Approach
February 23, 2023 at 4:42 pm

Mike Frazzini is the technology chief of staff at FTD, a leader in the floral industry for over a century operating one of the largest florist networks in the world. While attending Total Retail Tech last fall, Frazzini sat down with our editorial team to discuss his evolving role at FTD, why data is a priority…

Maximizing Unified Commerce While Minimizing Friction
February 22, 2023 at 5:55 pm

Achieving repeat business in retail — a primary sign of success — means identifying and overcoming challenges in an ever-changing landscape. Today’s consumers expect a high-quality buying experience whether they’re shopping online or in a brick-and-mortar store, and retailers are adjusting to ensure a consistently great experience across all channels. It’s all about the experience. Customer…

Sam's Club's SVP, Chief Product Officer on Creating a Culture of Innovation
February 21, 2023 at 3:23 pm

Sam's Club is known for being an innovator within the retail industry. In this video clip from Total Retail Tech 2022 in Nashville, Tim Simmons, senior vice president and chief product officer of Sam's Club, speaks about the technology foundation fueling the retailer's culture of innovation. You can watch the full recording of Simmons' keynote session from…

Retail’s Headaches Can Be Alleviated With Automation
February 15, 2023 at 7:17 pm

In 2022, 69 percent of Americans shopped online, and 25 percent of Americans shop online at least once per month. It's estimated that digital spending grew by about 6.1 percent in 2022 compared to the year prior. The most recent data shows consumer spending rising this past holiday season as well, a positive sign for the…

From Supply Chain to POS: Lessons Learned at NRF 2023
February 14, 2023 at 10:30 am

Each year, NRF: Retail's Big Show acts as the curtain-raiser for some of the retail industry’s most advanced and innovative technology solutions. While 2022’s event saw NRF’s return to New York’s Javits Center, attendee turnout remained unusually low due to the world being in the early stages of the post-pandemic recovery. However, 2023 saw attendee…

3 Cybersecurity Trends Shaping Retail in 2023
February 13, 2023 at 8:45 am

As commerce continues to thrive online, maintaining a robust cybersecurity posture has become crucial for retailer survival. According to publisher forecasts, global security revenues in retail are headed for strong growth in the next few years, from $7 billion in 2019 to $12 billion by 2025. A key threat to this potential is the ever-present…

How Shiseido's Digital Strategy SVP is Tracking Customer Data Across Channels
February 2, 2023 at 3:36 pm

Omer Iqbal is the senior vice president of digital strategy and enterprise architecture at Shiseido, one of the top cosmetics companies in the world with a rich portfolio of international brands. While attending Total Retail Tech last fall, Iqbal sat down with our editorial team to discuss how he influences technology decisions at Shiseido, as well…