Retailers managing mobile technology within the store
Mobile devices provide a variety of benefits for consumers and retailers. Customers are increasingly using their phones to perform daily tasks, and they are even beginning to bring them into retail stores, whether to research more information or look up prices at another location. This is signaling a need for change within the retail industry, as in-store operations are starting to feel the impact from this trend. When it comes to shoppers using their mobile devices at brick-and mortar locations, merchants should step up their management efforts to ensure the best possible outcome for the store and the consumer.
Managing a new mobile strategy
There are several mobile retail technology solutions that can be used in the store, which could help businesses when developing a new method. Internet Retailer reports that many companies have already implemented these systems, as many are catching on to the increasing trend of consumers using their mobile phones. Although a retailer might have a fully operating and successful website for outside sales, it is still important for purchases to be made in the store. With the price transparency that comes with customers' mobile devices, coupled with the emergence of sales on the internet, in-store retailers will need to make changes and improvements in order to keep up and be successful in their market, writes Internet Retailer.
National Retail Federation to provide mobile research service
For retailers that want to stay on top of mobile trends and topics that are impacting the industry, the National Retail Federation (NRF) has announced that it is launching a service, titled Integrated Mobile Initiative (IMI). This new research arm will aim to keep retailers on top of the mobile aspects that can affect their businesses and the sector as a whole. This includes the opportunities and challenges that mobile technologies can present for the industry, as well as fostering the growth of retail companies all over the world.
"Retailers are inherently driven to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to their customers' demands, and today nothing is more important than mobile technologies that provide seamless cross-platform shopping experiences," said NRF's senior vice president of communities Vicki Cantrell. "As mobile rapidly changes both consumers' expectations and the overall shopping experience, the IMI will serve as the go-to source for information for retailers, their business partners, the media and interested parties across the world on the practical aspects of implementation and resources for mobile retailing."
