Ever since the pandemic of 2020, retailers have been challenged with both hiring and retaining frontline workers. Employees had concerns about safety and wages. But it turns out they also left their jobs for another significant reason: Not enough technology to able to adequately perform their work. This notion came through in a global survey by Scandit, a barcode scanning platform for mobile enterprise apps. Of many key findings, the survey showed that 40% of retail…  MORE

Today’s retail consumers want more than the best product at the best price. According to the prevailing thinking, if they’re going to spend their hard-earned money, whatever they buy better be environmentally-friendly. Along with that mindset, shoppers also have access to information about a brand’s sustainability record. They can no longer be fooled by feel-good corporate slogans about their “commitment to protecting the planet”. So if retailers want to appeal to consumers who care about…  MORE

Retailers are all-in with the latest technology. They’re automating pricing, inventory management, checkout, and other tasks. And by definition, they’re also reducing the amount of workers on the floor. At the same time, store operations have become more complicated. Online fulfillment and pickup and delivery are now common aspects of retail. It’s all well and good. That is, until both small and large stores see a rise in theft, poor customer service, and lackluster brand…  MORE

The gaming industry has traveled light years since the days when Pacman and Donkey Kong dominated pop culture. And it’s all due to rapid-fire advancements in technology from one year to the next. 2024 has taken gaming even farther, completely altering how we perceive the possibilities of games. One big driver for gaming acceleration has been Virtual Reality (VR). In fact, VR has brought a fundamental shift in gameplay mechanics and design possibilities. In turn,…  MORE

Physical security and cybersecurity measures have traditionally been viewed as separate efforts. But integrating the two provides a host of benefits: enhanced threat detection, improved response efforts, decreased costs, and ultimately a stronger security presence. Connecting both physical and cybersecurity is critical due to the ever-increasing interconnected world, both in business specifically and society in general. Consider the how The Internet of Things (IoT) is meshing more each day with Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)…  MORE

It’s not what you sell, but rather the data you use to sell it. That’s the winning sales philosophy for today’s retailers. Indeed, your actual product offering plays only a small role in modern day retail success. From grocery chains to clothing outlets, leaders understand that the higher the quality of data, the better the customer insight, market analysis, and potential for profits and growth. And the secret sauce is mastering how to engage consumers…  MORE

When it comes to gaining competitive advantage, retailers have never had a more difficult challenge. Loyalty is a thing of the past, as is automatic purchase based solely on brand reputation. Consumers now study product comparisons, watch video reviews, and scroll Twitter feeds to spot both the good and the bad. They demand no-questions-asked returns and free shipping. The tiniest negative perception will induce a click to the competitor’s site. And if that’s not enough…  MORE

If you lead an IT team — or manage someone who leads an IT team — their performance is always your top priority. Yet motivating employees to be more productive can easily cross the line into annoyance, resentment, and ultimately decreased morale. That’s not a good situation when your IT team is a crucial aspect of your competitive advantage. IT leaders must strike the right balance: Keep people excited to go farther while not stepping…  MORE