Tag: #RETAIL

Top Tips On How To Grow Reverse Retail Systems And Logistics

In today’s dynamic business landscape, the world of retail and logistics is undergoing a transformation. The traditional linear model, where products move from manufacturers to consumers in a straight line, is giving way to a more circular approach known as reverse retail. Reverse retail systems focus on the recovery, recycling, and reintegration of products and materials back into the supply chain, creating a more sustainable and efficient system. To thrive in this evolving landscape, businesses must adapt and grow their reverse retail systems and logistics. In this article, we will explore seven key tips to help companies navigate this shift successfully.

Embrace Circular Economy Principles

The foundation of a robust reverse retail system is embracing the principles of the circular economy. Instead of the traditional linear “take, make, dispose” model, businesses must prioritize “reduce, reuse, recycle.” Start by designing products with recyclability in mind. This means considering the materials used, ease of disassembly, and the potential for refurbishment or remanufacturing.

Moreover, companies should explore partnerships with recycling and reprocessing facilities. By recovering and repurposing materials, they can close the loop, reducing waste and minimizing the environmental impact. Businesses like Patagonia have effectively implemented this approach by encouraging customers to return and repair their products, thereby extending their lifecycle.

Optimize Reverse Logistics

Reverse logistics is a critical component of any successful reverse retail system. This process involves the return of products from consumers to the manufacturer, retailer, or a third-party entity. To optimize reverse logistics, companies should focus on streamlining the return process, ensuring it is user-friendly and efficient. This can involve implementing easy-to-follow return procedures, prepaid shipping labels, and hassle-free return centers.

Additionally, adopting technology such as RFID tracking or barcoding can help monitor the flow of returned goods. This real-time visibility allows businesses to anticipate return volumes, reduce handling costs, and enhance the overall customer experience. Amazon’s “Returnless Refunds” is an example of an innovative approach where they refund the customer without requiring the return of certain low-cost items, making the process more convenient.

Tap Into Trade-in as a Service (TaaS) Platform

A key aspect of building a successful reverse retail system lies in tapping into Trade-in as a Service (TaaS) platforms. These platforms offer an innovative solution for the exchange of used products, allowing customers to trade in their older items for value or credit toward new purchases, as explained by the experts for TaaS. You can visit their website to find out more about how these platforms provide a convenient and sustainable method for consumers to dispose of their products while extending the lifespan of those items. By integrating TaaS into your reverse retail strategy, you can create a seamless and customer-friendly experience. Customers can easily evaluate the value of their used items, initiate the trade-in process, and receive credit for their next purchase. This not only promotes customer loyalty but also drives new sales and reduces the environmental impact of discarded products. Companies like Apple have successfully implemented TaaS programs, allowing customers to trade in their old devices for discounts on new ones, resulting in higher customer retention and a sustainable approach to product life cycles.

Implement Sustainable Packaging

Sustainable packaging is a key element in growing a successful reverse retail system. As consumers become increasingly environmentally conscious, businesses must respond by using eco-friendly materials and reducing excessive packaging. Implementing innovative packaging designs can also facilitate the return process, making it easy for customers to reseal and return items.

Incorporating the use of reusable packaging can also have a substantial impact. Companies like Loop have demonstrated the potential of this concept by offering products in durable, reusable containers. These containers are collected, cleaned, and refilled, reducing single-use packaging waste.

Collaborate with Partners

Collaboration is at the heart of an effective reverse retail system. Businesses should actively seek partnerships with stakeholders across the supply chain, including suppliers, retailers, and recycling facilities. These partnerships can help streamline the process of returning, refurbishing, and reselling products.

For example, H&M has established a “Take Care” initiative, partnering with I:CO to collect and recycle old clothing. Similarly, Dell has worked with Goodwill to provide consumers with an easy way to recycle their old electronics, creating a sustainable solution for e-waste management.

Leverage Data and Analytics

In the age of big data, leveraging data and analytics can offer a competitive advantage in growing reverse retail systems and logistics. By analyzing consumer behavior, return patterns, and product life cycles, businesses can make informed decisions to optimize their processes.

For instance, using predictive analytics, companies can anticipate which products are likely to be returned and adjust their inventory and production accordingly. This reduces excess inventory, minimizes waste, and improves the overall sustainability of the supply chain.

Educate and Engage Customers

Educating and engaging customers is vital for the success of reverse retail systems. Consumers need to understand the benefits of returning and recycling products and be motivated to participate. Businesses can achieve this through marketing campaigns, educational materials, and incentives.

Programs like Nike’s “Reuse-A-Shoe” initiative encourage consumers to return old athletic shoes, which are then recycled into material for sports surfaces and new shoes. These initiatives not only reduce waste but also build brand loyalty and customer engagement.

 

In conclusion, the shift towards reverse retail systems and logistics is an inevitable consequence of the growing awareness of environmental sustainability and resource conservation. To thrive in this evolving landscape, businesses must embrace circular economy principles, optimize reverse logistics, tap into TaaS platforms, implement sustainable packaging, collaborate with partners, leverage data and analytics, and educate and engage customers.

These seven tips are not only essential for reducing waste and minimizing environmental impact but also for improving operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. By adopting these practices, companies can not only grow their reverse retail systems but also contribute to a more sustainable and resilient supply chain for the future. As we move forward, the businesses that embrace these changes will be the ones leading the charge toward a more sustainable and circular economy.

John Lewis Fashion Rental Debuts Zyler Virtual Try-On

Anthropics Technology, makers of AI-powered Zyler Virtual Try-On, has announced a partnership with John Lewis, one of the UK’s leading department stores, and rental specialist HURR, to introduce virtual try-on technology to their fashion rental website.

The John Lewis Fashion Rental website, which lets customers rent dresses for a selected amount of time, now enables customers to see how the dress looks on them online before they rent with the “Try it On” feature. Customers upload a headshot and sizing information to try the outfit on virtually, from the comfort of their own home.

John Lewis Rental has always been committed to providing a personalized and convenient experience for their customers. The addition of virtual try-on technology is the next step in that commitment. This technology will help John Lewis Rental customers find the perfect dress for their occasion.

 

You can see Zyler technology working on the platform https://johnlewisfashionrental.com/women/new_arrivals/

Find out more about Zyler Virtual Try-On: www.zyler.com

One in five people in Ireland never carry any cash

One in five people in Ireland never carry any cash and of those that do, almost one-third (30pc) carry €20 or less. This is according to a new survey[1] by Royal London Ireland, one of the leading life insurance and pensions companies in Ireland.  Furthermore, men are more likely than women to never carry cash (24pc of men versus 16pc of women). Of those who do carry cash however, men tend to carry higher amounts on them than women.

The Royal London Ireland survey, which examined the use of cash by people in Ireland, found that the top five reasons people needed cash regularly was to pay for small daily grocery items such as milk and bread (58pc), to pay service providers who prefer cash (38pc), to buy lunch or take-away coffee or tea (34pc), to give tips (32pc), and to donate to charity (27pc).

Other highlights from the survey include:

  • Almost one in five people (19pc) carry more than €100 regularly.
  • People in Leinster appear to be the least likely to carry cash. One in four people in Dublin (25pc), and almost a third of people in the rest of Leinster (28pc) say they never carry cash. By contrast, only one in ten (10pc) of those living in Ulster and Connacht never carry cash.
  • 50pc of people aged 18-24 said they never carry cash, while just 10pc of people aged 55 or older said the same.

Commenting on the survey findings, Barry McCutcheon, Proposition Lead at Royal London Ireland said:

 

“We’ve seen an increase in cashless payments in Ireland in recent years[2], so the numbers of people who carry very little cash, or any at all, is unsurprising. Despite the increasingly digital nature of Irish banking and payment systems in recent years, we can see from the survey findings that cash still plays an important role in Ireland’s society and economy, with many people relying on it when going about their day-to-day routines. This balances with a European Central Bank survey in 2022 which showed that the majority (54pc) of Irish consumers’ in-store transactions were in cash[3].

 Our survey gives weight to the assertion that the younger you are, the less likely you are to carry cash. Findings from the survey revealed that half (50pc) of those aged between 18 and 24 say they never carry cash compared to only one in ten (10pc) people aged 55 or over”.

The Need for Cash

Mr McCutcheon observed,

“It’s clear that there is a need for cash, with 80pc of people surveyed carrying some amount daily. The survey sheds some light on just why people carry cash and we found that the top three reasons were: to pay for small daily grocery items such as milk or bread (58pc), to pay service providers who prefer cash (38pc), and to buy take-away lunch, coffee or teas (34pc). It would appear that pocket money in the form of cash hasn’t gone out of fashion either – more than a quarter of people (27pc) between the ages of 35 and 54, the age cohort likely to have children, carry cash for this reason”.

Mr McCutcheon concluded:

“In the Department of Finance’s published Retail Banking Review[4], a recommendation was made for legislation to be introduced to safeguard the reasonable access to cash. It is clear from our research that for many, there are times when only cash will do.

Whether you are someone who prefers using cash or not, tracking and managing your finances is important when it comes planning your financial future.  If you are looking for advice about financial planning, a Financial Broker can help you assess your current situation and put a personalised plan in place that meets your individual needs and circumstances.”

[1] Of 1,000 Irish adults nationwide carried out by IReach

[2] As per the latest Payment Monitors Report from the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland, which was published on 29/6/2023, and release in relation to same.

[3] As per ECB study on the Payment Attitudes of Consumers in the Euro Area, published in December 2022.

[4] See Retail Banking Review, published November 2022..

Storm Technology partners with NaviPartner to distribute specialised retail solutions

With a strong reputation for the successful design and implementation of ERP software solutions, Storm Technology is one of Ireland’s preferred suppliers of Microsoft Dynamic 365 Business Central.

By partnering with NaviPartner, Storm Technology is now able to offer four new specialised omnichannel solutions to all existing and new clients, further enhancing its current solution range and reenforcing its commitment to the retail sector.

NaviPartner has a long history as a Microsoft Dynamics 365 partner on the Danish market. Its many years of expertise has led the company to funnel its knowledge of its clients’ needs and challenges into a strong product innovation focus. The result is four well-documented and tested omnichannel solutions – namely NP Retail, NP Ecommerce, NP WMS and NP Entertainment.

NP Retail is a cloud-based retail software solution (SaaS – Software as a Service) for all types of retailers that combines point-of-sales (POS), financial management, bookkeeping, order management, inventory management, reports and statistics in one complete package.

The solution supports more than 250 payment methods, delivering payments across online, mobile, and in store. That makes NP Retail a future-proof solution that is easy to implement in multiple countries, when a business expands into new markets.

Speaking on the partnership, Karl Flannery, CEO of Storm Technology, stated: “We are very excited about this new partnership. NaviPartner has built an excellent reputation for the supply of high-quality POS, e-Commerce, Warehousing and Ticketing solutions built on top of Microsoft Business Central and we are confident that this partnership will deliver considerable advantage to both new and existing clients.”

Closely connected to NP Retail is the online e-commerce solution NP Ecommerce based on Magento. NP Ecommerce seamlessly integrates into Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and is the backbone that ensures real-time integration between the online store, the ERP system and the physical store and makes sure the inventory is always up to date. As an extension of the NP Retail solution, the NP Entertainment solution is aimed at the entertainment segment with specialized modules perfect for ticketing and membership.

To complete the omnichannel offering, NaviPartner has also developed a fourth solution – NP WMS, which is intended for the effective management of warehouse operations. NP WMS is a 100% mobile WMS solution with RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology for Dynamics 365 Business Central. The implementation process is extremely cost-efficient, as customers can configure the solution themselves and thus get started in a matter of hours. End users will only need a minimum of training for this easy-to-use app. All that customers need to get started is the NP WMS app and access to Business Central SaaS.

NaviPartner is happy to see their product portfolio brought to market with extra manpower. “We have spent a lot of time and resources on developing and refining these solutions, and we are proud to be able to offer them worldwide through strong partnerships. We find that Storm Technology with their expertise and client base is a perfect match for us, and it will mean that our solutions can be presented to a whole new segment of customers,” says CEO of NaviPartner, Mark Stewart Pedersen.

How Can AI Help Footwear Retailers Grow Their Shoe Business?

Do you want to launch a shoe company? So, if you want to succeed in the fashion industry. You must adapt to changing trends and use useful AI. This article will examine how AI may assist shoe retailers in growing their companies.

What Is the Use of AI in the Fashion Industry?

AI can help you to do better customer service. It can automatically do tasks as well as improve your inventory handling. AI has the potential to transform the fashion industry by improving company processes, generating innovation, and improving the customer experience.

AI also assists designers in making new designs as to the Fashion trend. This may result in procedures for developing more useful and efficient products.

How Can AI Help Retailers to Grow Their Shoe Business?

Fashion Prediction

AI can determine what kind of styles, colors, and patterns will be in fashion in the future by analyzing a large quantity of data on consumer preferences, fashion trends, and previous sales figures.

This can assist stores in making smart choices regarding the shoes they stock, the quantity of inventory they maintain, and the marketing techniques they use.

Inventory Management

Artificial Intelligence-powered inventory management systems can check sales data and trends. And seasonality to forecast client demand for certain items. Retailers may reduce overstocking and supply shortages by matching inventory levels to consumer demand.

Stock shortages can result in lost sales opportunities and lower customer satisfaction, whereas overstocking can raise storage the handling expenses and the danger of unsold inventory.

Customer Service

Ai provides the best customer services as virtual assistance to our customers by solving their problems or providing technical support about any shoe they want to buy.

Retailers may offer 24/7 customer support with AI-powered Chabot’s and virtual assistants, which can increase customer happiness and loyalty. Because these systems can handle several inquiries simultaneously, wait times are less, and customers have a better overall experience.

The possibility of a sale can be increased by the personal suggestions they can make based on a customer’s past purchases, interests, and browsing habits.

Personalized Recommendations

AI algorithms may scan a result in excessive consumer data, including survey factors, purchase history, and browsing history. To understand a client’s interests and make tailored product suggestions.

By doing this, retailers may provide clients with a more personalized purchasing experience, boosting client happiness and loyalty. Moreover, personalized product recommendations can also increase the likelihood of a sale.

By suggesting shoe styles like shoe charms for Crocs, boots, or any other type that are more likely to fit the customer’s style and preferences, retailers can reduce the time and effort required for customers to find what they are looking for.

Conclusion

AI can help footwear retailers grow their shoe business by utilizing reducing algorithms and data analytics to optimize company processes, boost sales, and improve the customer experience.

Using Ai, we can manage inventory and Fashion predictions like colors or design providers according to the market trend. Ai also provides a Chabot for customer service by solving their queries and working 24/7.

The last feature of AI we discuss is very useful. It provides personalized advice to customers by analyzing their need for Nike shoes or any fashion footwear or wants to adopt any fashion like shoe charms on Crocs, AI helps.

Irish consumer sentiment improves but many still feeling the pinch of rising prices

Irish consumer sentiment is on the up, but inflation remains a key concern, a new Deloitte survey shows. More than three in four respondents are concerned that the prices of everyday purchases will increase – 2% down on last month – but the highest of 24 countries surveyed.

The Deloitte January Global State of the Consumer Tracker benchmarks the sentiment and beliefs driving consumer behaviours in Ireland and 24 other markets throughout the world. The Tracker team engages with 20,000 consumers to understand their perspectives on their financial wellbeing, where they spend their money and how they select and purchase their products.

The Irish survey found that six-in-ten Irish consumers have no extra money left at the end of the month and half of all Irish respondents feel their financial situation has worsened over the past year.  However, a quarter of respondents said they expect their situation to improve in the next 12 months.

Daniel Murray, Partner and Head of Consumer at Deloitte Ireland said today: “The results from the Deloitte Consumer tracker remind us of the importance of ongoing and consistent surveying of consumer attitudes. Once again, this month we see that Irish consumers are the most concerned about inflation, with 76% =concerned about the prices of everyday purchases. While this is the same percentage as Australia, it marks a consistently high level of concern about inflation in the minds of Irish consumers.

“Those countries that were least concerned were China (37%), Saudi Arabia (52%), Brazil and India (53%).  80% of Irish consumers expect prices to rise in restaurants (verses 72% average across the 24 countries) and 78% expect to see further rises in household utilities (verses 70% average across the 24 countries) The number who expect fuel to increase increased 4% to 68%.”

Murray continued: “We are also seeing some interesting demand increases which will require continued and careful contingency planning to avoid potential issues. 40% of Irish respondents said they planned to take an international flight in the next three months. This is an increase of 3% on this time last year. We also expect to see similar level of rail travel to this time last year with 34% of respondents expected to travel by train, rather than by rental car (13%). 51% of respondents expect to stay in a hotel in the next three months, which is the same level of demand to last year. Interestingly, just 25% would choose to book private accommodation, such as Airbnb.”

Murray concluded: “There are some interesting trends in several grocery categories. In the meat category, own brand and low cost have seen a quarter-on-quarter decline of -6% and -3% respectively, while purchasing premium meats has not declined at all. “This may suggest that Irish consumers are once again focusing on the food quality when selecting their meats in particular. Having said that, only 23% have bought several ‘nice to have’ items which shows caution remains when it comes to their purchases.”

The Core Value of Market-Based Pricing and Its Application in the Retail Industry

Competition is one of the primary forces driving the market growth. When there is high competition, one can ensure companies are looking for appealing prices and presenting products of higher quality. When there is no competition, one can speak of conditions for a monopoly to emerge, which is frowned upon and often illegal. Here, we would like to explore competitive-based pricing from the angle of its nature and the benefits it can bring to retail and any other business. 

The defining aspects of competitive based pricing

Competitor-based pricing strategy can have many angles and elements to include. However, when it comes to the gist of the approach, its core relies upon using smart pricing to adjust to particular market conditions and competitors’ strategies. A greater number of firms use various innovative pricing approaches to get ahead of the competition. Some use product matching software and other kinds of software because the ability to collect and analyze data fast is extremely valuable. 

In simple terms, competitive-based pricing uses price to deal with competitors and various market conditions. You can raise or lower the price depending on what your company intends to achieve. 

Why might businesses consider competitive based pricing?

 

There is a great number of reasons businesses may consider competitive based pricing. It is often considered one of the most common practices for retail firms. The conditions for the emergence of competitive pricing occur when a market includes several companies offering similar products of approximately the same quality and pricing. In such regard, companies can compare the prices of their competitors to adjust their pricing. 

Essentially, companies need competitive based pricing to understand how the market shifts and what rivals intend to do in terms of pricing. However, there are always some obstacles to consider when implementing market based pricing. What is more, firms need to be extremely careful when pricing SKUs compared to competitors. 

Finally, businesses might consider competitive pricing to keep up with technological innovation. There are currently various tools available that can grant firms an edge in competing against rivals. Product matching is an example of one of such instruments. It is an advanced software using top-notch algorithms to analyze different variables and product best pricing strategies one can find on the market. 

Pros and cons of competitive based pricing

As with any pricing strategy, competitive pricing has particular advantages and disadvantages. Starting with the pros, one should refer to the following:

 

  • Revenue increase. Proper pricing results in companies selling more products, which naturally translates into revenue growth.
  • Competitive advantage. Setting more attractive prices gets the attention of consumers, which results in a greater competitive advantage. 
  • Flexibility. Competitive pricing is great because it grants the ability to choose between various price points.
  • Consumer loyalty. Offering prices that customers like is a sure way to win their loyalty and create the conditions for prolonged cooperation.

From a contrasting perspective, there are certain cons to competitive based pricing. Referring to the most prominent ones, there are the following to mention:

 

  • Margin cost losses. A company can focus too much on competitors’ strategies, thus forgetting other important factors. As an outcome, it can lead to margin cost losses.
  • Categorization of competitors. It can be difficult to properly categorize rivals in markets with many competitors to know which ones to follow. 
  • Inaccurate data. A firm can make calculations based on inadequate data or the one obtained from noncredible sources. 
  • Improper decision-making. Competitive pricing is all about making decisions based on several variables and factors. If they are inaccurate, it will translate into improper business decisions. 

 

At this point, competitive pricing has its advantages and disadvantages. The importance of choosing a proper pricing approach is hard to overestimate. Always 

Guideline for competitive based pricing implementation

Adoption of a competitive strategy requires the following several steps:

 

  • Consider all the prices, deals, and benchmarks available. It is crucial to collect all the factors required to correlate competitive pricing to what a company intends to achieve. 
  • Align business objectives to competitive pricing strategy. Competitive pricing should be linked to the firm’s objectives. In such a case, if a business does not align its prices to business goals, one will receive a decrease in customer loyalty. 
  • Evaluate the data available and estimate the sources of data accessible. Competitive pricing works with massive volumes of data. However, data can be different, as well as it can present various insights. At this point, determining high-quality data is vital at this step.
  • Collect and analyze the data to further its synthesis into pricing suggestions. One should choose methods to collect data, for instance, use advanced software based on AI and ML algorithms. Yet, one should determine whether data sources are credible before collecting the data. 

Following these steps is the foundational approach to ensuring competitive pricing brings benefits or harms. 

Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi 

There is a notable example to consider to see how competitive pricing pans out in real life. Coca-Cola and Pepsi are two giant companies existing in the same market and having similar products delivered through identical price points. In standard conditions, Coca-Cola and Pepsi would have difficulty gaining a competitive advantage. Respectively, in such a case lowering prices is one of the key aspects of dealing with competition. 

Since the products of these two companies are relatively similar, Coca-Cola employed a pricing strategy that set lower prices than the competitor Pepsi. As a result, Coca-Cola managed to increase its revenue through the high production volumes and yet with a lower price. The example shows how a simple measure of lowering prices can have a massive competitive advantage. 

Recommendations and Conclusions

To get the most out of competitive pricing, it is crucial to get accurate data, assess data sources’ credibility, use innovative data analysis instruments, align the approach with current business objectives, and not rely too heavily on competitors. It is all about balancing being overly reliant on competitors’ strategies and underestimating them. 

How Software Can help to Grow Your Business quickly

Everything you do online today leaves a digital footprint. As the internet continues to grow, it is becoming more important for individuals and businesses to understand how marketing on the internet can grow your business. Software like Google News can fully automate and simplify your advertising strategies while giving you access to the biggest search engines that are available now on the market. You can also use software to expand your reach by targeting specific demographics or locations. Software is not a new concept in the field of marketing, but with the advancements that have been made recently in internet technology, using our own software can quickly grow your business.

Now, in this article, we will cover six specific points of how software can help improve your business’s growth rate quickly and how retail software solutions plays crucial role in growth of any business.

Streamline employee tasks: Employee task management can be a daunting task. It can be difficult to keep track of who is responsible for what, when they are supposed to do it, and where they should find the information, they need. Software can help to simplify this process by automating many of the tasks employees must complete each day. This helps to reduce the amount of time employees have to spend on paperwork and organising their tasks. Additionally, it can help managers monitor employee performance more easily.

Competitive advantage: Software is better equipped to offer a competitive advantage than hardware because software can be updated and improved more quickly. There are many companies that offer field software as a form of a competitive advantage. Some of the features that make software better than other brands include: faster loading times, customizable designs, and user-friendly interfaces. All of these features make it easier for customers to use the product and find the information they need quickly. In addition, these features help companies differentiate themselves from their competitors.

Pursuing a sales lead: Software is better than ever when it comes to following leads. With the help of retail software solutions, businesses can easily keep track of their sales leads and analyse their performance. This way, they can identify which leads are productive and which ones need more attention. Additionally, software makes it easy to follow up with leads and closed deals. Finally, it provides administrators with detailed reports that help them understand the success of their marketing campaigns.

Cost Effective: Software has become a major trend in business, and with good reason. Automating routine tasks can save businesses time and money. For example, a software company may have an accounting system that automates the process of creating invoices. This saves the company time and money by freeing up staff to do other tasks. In addition, software can automate processes that are not particularly labour-intensive but that could still result in cost savings. For example, a company may have a system that automatically orders parts for manufacturing. 

Better ROI: Software is an important part of any business, and it is especially important in the volatile market today. It can have a huge impact on the ROI of a business. By improving the efficiency of an organisation’s software, it can save time and money. It can also help to improve customer service and increase efficiency within the company. In some cases, it can even take over manual tasks that were previously done by employees. This can save money on salaries and benefits, while also allowing the company to focus on more strategic initiatives.

Maintain good customer relations: Managing customer relationships can be a lot of work. Thankfully, there are software solutions that can help you do it more efficiently. One such solution is Relationship Management Software. This software can help you keep track of all your customer contacts. It can also help you respond to customer inquiries in a timely manner. Additionally, the software can automatically create follow-up emails for you. This way, you’ll never miss an opportunity to win over your customers

As a business owner, you know that the benefits of using software are endless. From streamlining your day-to-day operations to helping you expand your reach and grow your business, there are countless reasons why software is essential in today’s world. With so many options available on the web, it’s important to find the right one that will help your business grow and succeed. Thank you for reading

Dell Technologies Expands Edge Innovations for Retailers

Dell Technologies (NYSE: DELL) announces the expansion of its edge solutions to help retailers quickly generate more value and deliver enhanced customer experiences from data generated in retail locations.

From grocery merchandising and curbside pickup to frictionless checkout and loss prevention, retailers have embraced edge technologies to keep pace with industry demands and create better customer experiences. A recent study conducted by 451 Research, part of S&P Global Market Intelligence, and commissioned by Dell found this growth will continue with 77% of retailers expecting to increase edge deployments significantly in the next two years1. However, without a holistic approach, new technologies across wide geographies and locations can lead to complex and siloed solutions that drive up a retailer’s IT management cost.

“Retailers are increasingly relying on IT technologies and data at the edge to offer more personalized and intelligent customer experiences that drive better business outcomes, dramatically accelerating the need for retailers to bring together siloed technologies,” said Gil Shneorson, senior vice president of edge solutions, Dell Technologies. “We’re helping retailers easily consolidate these technologies so they can analyze data where it’s created, make faster decisions and deliver positive experiences for in-store shoppers and employees.”

New capabilities from Dell bring together edge technologies, so retailers can easily manage and scale their infrastructure from data centers to the edge, and launch in-store and digital AI applications from partners to deliver better in-store experiences.

Simplify the retail edge to improve in-store experiences

The Dell Validated Design for Retail Edge simplifies and consolidates edge retail infrastructure and applications onto a single infrastructure stack for efficient deployment, management and support. With VMware Edge Compute Stack integration, the solution provides retailers a single management view of edge IT across all retail locations to track system health, build and manage applications at the edge and help securely scale to additional sites. By working with Deep North and its intelligent video analytics platform, the solution supports AI-based applications that help retailers use data insights to improve in-store shopping experiences such as optimizing product placement, preventing product loss, tracking inventory, helping shoppers avoid long checkout lines and diverting employees to where they can be of most assistance in a store.

“We are excited that Deep North’s real-time video analytics platform supports the Dell Validated Design for Retail Edge,” said Rohan Sanil, CEO and co-founder of Deep North. “We look forward to helping retailers leverage AI to gain line-of-sight into the path-to-purchase in-store to identify opportunities to create a better customer experience, improve store operations and drive sales.”

“Retailers have one chance to deliver a positive in-store experience, and they have to balance this with helping to ensure the right inventory, health of their employees and customers, security of the store and more,” said Dave McCarthy, Research Vice President, Cloud and Edge Infrastructure Services, IDC. “Dell’s edge solutions can help retailers of all sizes gain faster, easy access to real-time insights that help make stores work in more intelligent ways to deliver better customer experiences.”

Dell continues to introduce additional edge innovations across its infrastructure portfolio to help organizations simplify deployments and capture more value:

  • Customers and partners can conceptualize and collaborate on edge technologies and applications in the Dell Technologies Customer Solution Centers Innovation Labs. With a new lab in Round Rock, Texas, the collaboration hubs help customers test existing edge technologies and design custom proof-of-concept solutions that can best manage the unique workload demands of organizations in retail, manufacturing, healthcare and other verticals. For example, retailers can validate and test inventory tracking solutions prior to implementation in store locations for fast and simple edge deployments.

  • Enterprise SONiC Distribution by Dell Technologies 4.0, a scalable and agile open sourced-based network operating system, now extends across data centers and to the edge. With network switches that can connect across multiple sites, customers can deploy, manage and monitor their edge with familiar data center tools. The new solution provides streamlined operations, greater flexibility, and expanded business continuity and disaster recovery capabilities. For example, with the seamless networking integration SONiC 4.0 provides, retailers can more easily manage their infrastructure from their data center to retail stores and other edge locations through a single, unified fabric.

Dell’s edge solutions for retailers are the latest additions to Dell’s growing edge portfolio and complement the Dell Validated Design for Manufacturing Edge, which will soon support Digital Performance Management, PTC’s latest ThingWorx based solution. Dell ProDeploy and ProSupport services help retailers accelerate edge deployments and support their environments with more than 60,000 dedicated professionals and partners in more than 170 countries.

 

Availability

  • Dell Validated Design for Retail Edge will be globally available in June 2022.
  • Proof-of-concept edge solutions validation and testing in Dell Technologies Customer Solution Centers Innovation Labs are available today in Limerick.
  • Enterprise SONiC Distribution by Dell Technologies 4.0 will be globally available on April 28, 2022.
  • Dell Validated Design for Manufacturing Edge with PTC, with support for Digital Performance Management, will be globally available later this year.