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Brick and Mortar

Why is the Fitting Room so Important in Retail Analytics?

Relatively speaking, the fitting room is one of the smallest areas of any retail store. These unobtrusive rooms are often tucked away in the back, and as a retailer, you could easily forget all about them. That is, until you understand the importance of this small-but-mighty area of the store.

For example, did you know that fitting rooms are key to increased sales and decreased returns? Let’s look at why the fitting room is crucial to retail performance.

[Tweet “The small-but-mighty fitting room is crucial to #retail performance.”] Read More »Why is the Fitting Room so Important in Retail Analytics?

The Dirty Truth About Magic Mirrors

Brick and mortar retail stores are looking for ways to incorporate technology in ways that improve customer experience and create measurable ROI. Especially appealing are technologies that lend themselves to a more omnichannel experience. Web makes retail easier! Metrics, analytics, insights galore.

  • What is the best way to do this?
  • Where does it make sense to connect the online to the in-store experience?
  • How can you readily incorporate the Internet of Things into your physical stores?

Theoretically, the “Magic Mirror” should be one answer to these questions.

There are a few different versions of these magic-machines, but they all rely on a complex recommendation engine that draw from catalog and in-store inventory, as well as allow in-store shoppers to save items to their in-store shopping cart.

Despite the bells and whistles, Magic Mirrors remain far from ubiquitous – or even common. Why hasn’t this “sexy” technology been more widely adopted?

And no- it’s not just because of the finger prints…

Read More »The Dirty Truth About Magic Mirrors

brick and mortar shopping trends

Why Customers Get Educated Online but Buy In-Store

Finally! Kristin sealed up the last envelope with invitations to her sister Sarah’s bridal shower. This was going to be a huge event!

Her sister was marrying the man of her dreams. Kristin loved the pair as a couple and couldn’t wait to see them walk down the aisle… this wedding was going to be one for the record books. Or, her record books anyway.

Sarah was marrying a man from India. The pair decided to hold a traditional Indian wedding with intermittent glimpses of the American culture where Sarah was raised. The entire affair would last four days.

Kristin was in charge of the bridal shower. That she could handle.

As she finished addressing the last envelope, she was excited for the next task on her to-do list – shopping!

Read More »Why Customers Get Educated Online but Buy In-Store

retail brick and mortar is alilve and well

Is the Death of Brick and Mortar Retail on the Horizon? No, and Here’s Why

It’s a scary thought for many retailers. Brick and mortar retail could end, as we know it, as more people turn to the Internet to shop online. Not so, according to The State of Retail 2015 report by TimeTrade.

TimeTrade compiled a report on the state of consumer behavior, gathering details about how shoppers shop and buyers buy.

The company looked at the psychology behind in-store shopping compared to online shopping. They examined modern consumer preferences and compared these to how well brick and mortar stores will fair going forward.

The results were encouraging for brick and mortar retailers. Here are some of the highlights.

Read More »Is the Death of Brick and Mortar Retail on the Horizon? No, and Here’s Why

2016 retail trends & predictions

The Future of Retail? Predictions for 2016 & Beyond

With more retailers than ever reporting dour statistics linked to the rapidly shifting digital landscape, how can businesses expect to stay afloat? Knowing the upcoming trends and using them to your advantage can put you ahead of the game.

So what are some of our predictions for 2016 and beyond? And how can retailers best adjust their operations?

Read More »The Future of Retail? Predictions for 2016 & Beyond

nrf 2016 apparel sellers

NRF 2016: What You Must See if You Sell Apparel

The countdown is on for NRF 2016! This is one of the most anticipated shows in the retail industry. Are you as excited as we are?

With exhibitions, sponsorships, meet-ups and more, it’s impossible to take in everything NRF 2016 has to offer. When you first walk through the doors of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, you’ll find a LOT competing for your attention – from exhibits to speakers to networking events. It can overwhelm even the most seasoned conference goer – unless you make a strategic plan.

We’ve been to this show before. Over the years, we have learned what’s a must-see for anyone in retail. And specifically, for apparel retailers. If you want to have an incredible experience here’s what we recommend.

Read More »NRF 2016: What You Must See if You Sell Apparel

NRF 2016 sneak peek

NRF 2016: Why it’s a Big Deal and Why You Need to be There

It’s that special time of year again for retail. This year, the NRF Big Show will take place January 17-20th at the Jacob K. Javita Convention Center in bustling New York City. You may be asking yourself:

  • I have quality products, and I’m well networked, so why should I show up?
  • What will this conference do for my business that I can’t do for myself?

Or, maybe, your retail business is struggling, and you don’t know why. There are no definite answers on why some retail businesses succeed and why others fail, but you’ll definitely get some great ideas from NRF’s Big Show.

Read More »NRF 2016: Why it’s a Big Deal and Why You Need to be There

retail applications for internet of things

Using the Internet of Things to Your Advantage

If you have been paying attention to tech news in recent years, you have no doubt heard of the Internet of Things. If you haven’t been paying attention, fear not. Many of those who have waded through countless articles are still hard-pressed to come up with a clear explanation for the Internet of Things.

Luckily for both camps, we’re here to shed some light on the Internet of Things, and more importantly, how you can use it to your advantage.

Read More »Using the Internet of Things to Your Advantage

black friday 2015 review

Was this Black Friday Naughty or Nice for Retailers?

Like reading tea leaves or gazing into a crystal ball, predicting the future of holiday shopping trends is not an exact science. After all, retail shoppers are people who are known to be a pretty fickle bunch.

In “How to Prepare for the 2015 Holiday Shopping Season” we turned an eye to the future with some predictions about this year’s holiday shopping trends.

Preliminary results for Black Friday shopping are in; now let’s see if our predictions were accurate.

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Read More »Was this Black Friday Naughty or Nice for Retailers?

Five Wins for Retail with Predictive Analytics

Originally published in The Predictive Analytics Times

We’ve heard a lot about how big data is changing the world, and even more about the changes that are still to come. There is more data collected now than at any other point in history, but many decision-makers have yet to figure out exactly what to do with all of this information.

Thankfully, in most businesses that hinge on an efficient supply chain, the inherent value of using predictive analytics is understood and accepted. Retailers, and especially clothing retailers, can benefit in many ways from gazing into the crystal ball that predictive analytics can provide. Here are a just a few examples to keep in mind.

Read More »Five Wins for Retail with Predictive Analytics