Most retailers know that innovation is key to surviving — and thriving — in the accelerating digital age, but what most retailers don’t understand is how to get there. This is what John Trainor, chief information officer and senior vice president, digital product at Aaron's, discussed during last week's Total Retail Tech event in Philadelphia. Trainor's keynote presentation, "How Culture and Technology Are Driving Aaron’s Digital Transformation," offered a glimpse into the culture and process changes he has led at the lease-to-own-furniture retailer. The organizational effort has allowed for the use of various technologies to drive innovation.

In this video clip, Trainor explains Aaron's mission to get employees to understand that technology and the business are now one instead of being in separate silos. Once that understanding happens, it enables innovation, Trainor noted.