NRF Reference Center - NRF Online & Multichannel Retail News

NRF Retail Reference Center-The Future of Retail

Platt Retail Institute

From Platt Retail Institute. This PRI Research Article examines the history of retail technology adoption in the U.S., emerging technology that is impacting retail today, and how retail store formats will change in the future and integrate various digital technologies. The Emerging Trends section of the Research Article addresses several of the challenges retailers are facing today. Technologies that affect the customer experience and influence consumer behavior are discussed, including: the rise of online shopping; showrooming; the use of social media for product reviews and instant feedback; access to price comparisons; and the integration of smartphones with other retail technologies, among many others.

NRF Forecasts 4.1% Increase in Retail Sales for 2014

Kathy Grannis

The National Retail Federation released its 2014 economic forecast today, projecting retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) will increase 4.1 percent*, up from the preliminary 3.7 percent growth seen in 2013. NRF also announced today it expects online sales in 2014 to grow between 9 and 12 percent.

Retailers Modify Objectives in 2014 as Mobile Tops Priority Lists

Kathy Grannis

According to the 2014 Shop.org/Forrester Research Inc. State of Retailing Online survey, which surveyed 70 retailers in October and November 2013, more than half (53%) marked mobile efforts as a top priority, identifying responsive design, mobile site optimization, and tablet redesign among key focus areas.

NRF/Demandware Report Examines Retail CIOs' Plans for "Digitizing the Store"

Kathy Grannis

The retail landscape of 2014 is more digital than ever before, and integrating store and online operations is a key focus for retailers as e-commerce capable solutions increasingly supplant traditional point-of-sale and mobile technologies. According to a new study conducted by the NRF, Demandware and the University of Arizona that polled more than 200 U.S. and European retail business technology executives, more than one-third (35.8%) of retailers surveyed are considering a single platform to manage interactions and transactions across all channels.

NRF Retail Reference Center-Transforming Retail Through Mobility: Best Practices

AirWatch

From AirWatch. Mobility is changing every aspect of retail, from the corporate level to the field, from warehouse operations to customer engagement. Retailers are finding that mobile should be more closely integrated into their every effort. Rather than including mobility in their overall retail strategy, the introduction of mobility has caused retailers to create a new business strategy that is based on mobility. The following whitepaper is designed to help companies overcome the technological hurdles to implementation and start realizing the benefits of a mobile-centric retail strategy leveraging the AirWatch� Enterprise Mobility Management Platform.

NRF Retail Reference Center-Focus Report: Order Management Systems

Sophelle

From Sophelle. Today's order management systems (OMS) solutions are numerous, varied, and evolving at a rapid pace. A range of functionality is available without clear standards about what feature sets OMS should include. In this Focus Report we'll identify key considerations in regard to consumer expectations, omnichannel operations, and fulfilment processes, as well as enterprise, marketing, and IT viewpoints.

More than 131 Million Holiday Shoppers to Shop Online on Cyber Monday

Bethany Aronhalt

Although 141 million Americans took advantage of retailers' holiday deals over Thanksgiving weekend, one of the biggest promotional events of the year is still to come. According to a National Retail Federation survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics over the weekend, more than 131 million (54.8%) shoppers plan to go online for Cyber Monday, up from the 129 million who participated last year.

NRF Retail Reference Center-Gaps in the Digital Net

Deloitte & Touche LLP

From Deloitte & Touche. Digital is redefining relationships in retail, compelling companies to rethink almost every aspect of their operations and pushing them to come up with novel, innovative ways to accommodate customers. But as they wade deeper into the digital waters, retailers will need to look at the larger picture, contemplating a new set of interconnected risks and developing approaches to anticipate and manage those risks as well as capitalize on the opportunities they may bring.

Free-Shipping Offers Abound This Holiday Season, According to Shop.org

Kathy Grannis

Bargain hunters take note: free-shipping offers will not be hard to find this holiday season. According to Shop.org's eHoliday survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, 16.3 percent of retailers will offer their first holiday free shipping offer by the week of October 28; more than one-third (34.9%) say they already offer year-round free shipping, compared to 23.1 percent last year. Additionally, more than half (51.2%) of online retailers surveyed plan to start their online holiday marketing promotions by Halloween.

Shop.org/comScore Report Finds Consumers Increasingly Turning to Their Smartphones, Tablets

Kathy Grannis

When it comes to consumers' love of all things digital, using tablets and smartphones to interact with retailers is high on their list. According to a report produced in partnership with comScore and The Partnering Group and released today at Shop.org's Annual Summit, in June 2013, more than half (55%) of all retail related Internet time originated on smartphones and tablet devices combined, compared with just 45 percent originating from desktop devices.