Tech is Trending in Retail
What are tech solutions trending in Retail right now and how do they help?
Written by
Mike Willett
Key Account Manager Retail, Logistics & Manufacturing UK&I at Panasonic Connect
It’s a challenging time for the Retail industry. It feels like the sector is under siege from all sides with inflation pushing up prices and disrupted supply chains making the predictability and availability of goods difficult. In this competitive environment, building customer loyalty whilst maintaining a healthy margin remains the goal and retailers are increasingly turning to technology to assist them.
So, what are tech solutions trending in Retail right now and how do they help?
1. Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL)
The flexibility to change pricing across multiple locations instantly is an important operational requirement in today’s fast moving market. ESL solutions remove the mundane daily task list of price changes, allowing frontline workers to focus on the customer and in-store experience, while retailers ensure price updates can be made at the touch of a button.
ESL links pricing with other core management system such as category management, inventory and forecasting and is centrally controlled. By changing the price or product information on the master list, electronic shelf labels throughout the stores are automatically updated for pricing efficiency. Users report a 100% reduction of price errors and an 80% time saving on price updates, enabling staff to be deployed in more effective customer-facing activities.
The electronic labels themselves can also be customised to display logos, flash special offers or provide more product information, such as ingredients or recipes via NFC or QR Codes.
2. Supply and Demand
Managing supply and demand effectively is a critical business in today’s world of unpredictable market changes. Faced with mounting data, retailers need automated insights to better understand the factors influencing customer demand, and how to determine their pricing strategies. Technologies such as Panasonic partner Blue Yonder’s Luminate Pricing Lifecycle is designed for this challenge. It is a powerful application driven by Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning that helps retailers to make optimal stock and pricing decisions across the product lifecycle.
3. Retail workforce productivity
Putting real-time information in the hands of the retail workforce helps to boost productivity and makes tasks easier. These rugged mobile computing solutions are transforming the way the workforce operates from the point of sale through to warehouse and logistics. It ranges from automated voice picking solutions that guide order fulfilment - speeding operations and reducing errors - through to forklift mounted rugged tablets connected to the warehouse system that provide real-time instructions for the movement of goods. Rugged notebooks, tablets and handhelds are at the heart of transforming the productivity of retail workforces.
4. New service opportunities
As the world of online and bricks and mortar retail collide, retailers are constantly looking for ways to generate new service and revenue opportunities. Here a new generation of Smartlocker is changing the world of last mile deliveries. These latest modular designed systems of 6, 8, 10 or 12 door units offers a range of four different temperature lockers. There is the regular ambient locker for everyday items such as parcels; chilled and freezer lockers for food and even medicinal items; and heated lockers to keep takeaway orders at the correct temperature. The Smartlockers are easy to manage and can be used standalone or connected to ecommerce and order management systems via the cloud.
With the Retail Technology Show 2023 at London’s Olympia just a few weeks away, all these solutions will be available to see at the Panasonic Connect Europe stand. If you can, why not pop along and see us for a closer look.
Read more insights…
article
PANASONIC GETS TOUGH WITH AVIATION SERVICE & MAINTENANCE AT MRO EUROPE 2024
The full range of Panasonic TOUGHBOOK devices and private 5G network capabilities will be on-show at Aviation Week’s annual event.
blog
Revolutionise Rugged Mobile Computing with the latest AI-enabled TOUGHBOOK G2
The new TOUGHBOOK G2mk3 offers everything the modern mobile workers needs from a rugged computing device – including advanced edge-AI technology that vastly increases accuracy and efficiency, regardless of the industry.
Case Study
World-first hydrogen-powered traverse of the North Sea with TOUGHBOOK
Historic journey highlights the urgent need for the maritime sector to adopt clean, sustainable fuels.
blog
62 million tonnes of electronic waste in a year: Companies hold the key to solving enormous environmental issue
Most companies replace computers, tablets and phones after fixed cycles, despite the fact that the products in many cases have a significantly longer lifespan.
Sorry there was an error...
The files you selected could not be downloaded as they do not exist.
You selected items.
Continue to select additional items or download selected items together as a zip file.
You selected 1 item.
Continue to select additional items or download the selected item directly.
Share page
Share this link via:
Twitter
LinkedIn
Xing
Facebook
Or copy link: