Technology

Unwanted inventory and a higher demand for low-cost items forced prominent retailers to adjust their earnings forecast and miss their estimates, causing the cancellation of billions in orders and heavy markdowns. Chalked up by one CFO as a short-term fix to avoid longer-term pain, the strategy nevertheless indicates that many large retailers don't understand their…

Few words have been used and overused more than “data.” What emerged from a series of zeros and ones has evolved into a critical pillar of every business. Data drives all aspects of a company, from research, buying behaviors, stock/inventory levels, assortment plan, replenishment, website design, store merchandising, staffing and finance to product lifecycle and…

Despite the optimism within the retail industry that a return to normal might be seen at some point in 2022, as we move through the back half of the year, the state of the retail industry is perhaps in a more vexing and fragmented state than it was when the year began. After two-and-a-half years…

Amid evolving consumer preferences and a myriad of business challenges across food retail, organizations have turned to digital transformation as a source of support for their physical supply chain and stores. Among the most prevalent innovative adoptions is the applied use of Internet of Things (IoT) technology. However, as economic volatility has increased and consumer…

This video features a panel discussing emerging retail technology and trends from Total Retail Tech 2022 in Nashville. Speakers include Carol Schuster, Technology and Business Information Advisor, Lafayette 148 New York; Omer Iqbal, Senior Vice President, Digital Strategy and Enterprise Architecture, Shiseido; Alan John, Vice President of AI and Data, StockX; and moderator Kathy Kimple, Executive Director, OSF…

This video features a panel discussing retail tech stack build vs buy decisions from Total Retail Tech 2022 in Nashville. Speakers include Dara Meath, Divisional Chief Information Officer, Digital/E-Commerce, Conair; Rebecca Wooters, Chief Digital Officer, Signet Jewelers; Mike Frazzini, Technology Chief of Staff, FTD; and moderator Laura Wheeler, Managing Director, Ankura. A common dilemma for retail organizations is…

In this episode of Total Retail Tech Insights, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Alex Galkin, founder and CEO of Competera, a technology company that offers a comprehensive pricing platform. Listen in as Galkin discusses Competera's offerings and why he decided to start the company (0:51), the advice he would go back and give himself when starting the…

When it comes to luxury goods, the perception of exclusivity and premierness are two very important elements. However, the truly paramount aspect of luxury items that allows for the high price point associated with them is their absolute authenticity. If the authenticity isn't absolute, then it's not luxury. Would it be OK if you were…

Like everybody else, I’ve shopped online significantly more often the last couple of years, sometimes out of necessity, sometimes for convenience and, sure, sometimes out of sheer boredom. In fact, over the past 18 months or so, I’ve bought myself three wristwatches online that, truth be told, I didn’t exactly need. Although the popular watch…

Facing a new era of retail in a volatile market, many businesses have had to rapidly expand or strengthen their online presence. Retailers that are thriving are doing so with the help of intelligent automation (IA). In fact, in a recent Deloitte report, 82 percent of sector leaders said “automation wherever possible will be a high priority,” and 67…