Profit margins within the retail sector are being pushed down due to a variety of factors including the pressures of globalization, issues such as the relaxation of trade tariffs and the deregulation of domestic economies. In face of rising operational costs and razor slim profit margins, retailers are using technology to increase operational efficiency and counterbalance soaring costs.

Scope

This brief looks at the issues holding deployment of technology back, and examines ways in which vendors can expedite penetration. Attention is also given to the problems facing integrating technology with store systems.

Highlights

Due to cost restrictions most new technologies are restricted to tier 1 retailers. In order to achieve the greatest ROI possible and thus increase the chance of uptake, vendors and retailers should work closely in order to establish relationships that will enable them to develop the most pertinent technologies. One of the greatest objections NFC vendors are likely to face in convincing retailers to implement NFC technology is the excessive interchange fees that retailers pay to banks and card companies for processing each transaction. Technology vendors and retailers should work together to exert pressure on banks to cut these.

Reasons to Purchase

Many technologies have not achieved the degree of market penetration expected; this brief examines go to market strategies that will help drive uptake Gain insight into how to integrate technologies and applications in order to achieve maximum ROI.